My two words for today are family and home.
A novel for middle grade readers
Runaway
Home
My two words for the day are lonely loser.
One summer later
Forthcoming April 2027
The book
Twelve-year-old Alex has been in foster care since her parents died. When her sixth placement turns dangerous, she runs — and keeps running, until the state catches up with her.
West Virginia, 1994. Alex has learned two things about being a foster kid: don't get attached, and don't tell anyone anything. She carries a dead boy's camo jacket and a voice in her head she calls the Veteran, who has kept her safe and kept her alone.
Sent to a group home for the summer, she meets a girl whose family fell apart for reasons that have nothing to do with anyone being bad, and a couple whose daughter died four years ago in an accident Alex knows more about than she can bear to say.
Runaway Home is a story about the difference between a house and a home, and about what it costs a child to tell the truth.
- Category
- Middle grade fiction
- Ages
- 10–14
- Grades
- 5–8
- Length
- Approx. 40,000 words
- Setting
- Charleston, West Virginia, 1994
- Publication
- April 2027
- Publisher
- Carter Boone Books
About the author
Carter Boone
Carter Boone writes fiction for young readers. Her work draws on years spent working in health care and the very interesting and lovely children she’s met. She lives in Virginia.
For educators & librarians
Classroom and library resources
Runaway Home is written for readers in grades 5–8 and touches on foster care, family separation, grief, and the systems that surround children in crisis. Materials for classroom and library use will be available ahead of publication.
Discussion guide
Questions on found family, secret-keeping, point of view, and the novel's four-part structure.
Available early 2027Educator guide
Standards-aligned activities and vocabulary for grades 5–8.
Available early 2027Content note
A full note on the book's difficult material, for teachers and librarians deciding on placement.
Available on requestContact
Get in touch
For review copies, school and library visits, educator materials, or press enquiries:
hello@carterboonebooks.com