RUN, WESTY, RUN

by Gundrun Alcock ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 2, 1966

Westy is a very likable little boy who runs away from home once too often, and is temporarily placed in a detention home on charges of truancy and delinquency. The book's primary strength is in the way it illustrates the influencing factors that cause a boy to get into trouble, and the formal procedures which take over when he does. In Westy's case he lived in a crowded section of Chicago in a small room with no windows; he spent much of his free time working; he had no spending money; he had a nice family but no sense of freedom. He kept feeling the urge to run away, his troubles kept piling up, and eventually, almost inadvertently, he took twenty dollars from his boss and went to downtown Chicago. After a day on his own he is caught and finally a solution is worked out perhaps a little too easily but quite realistically. There is more here though than Just illustrative fiction. The story of Westy's day in the city is a good blend of familiar detail and unexpected adventure. The dialogue is good and the text, which is very easy to read, has a nice simple but natural quality.

Pub Date: May 2, 1966

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Lothrop, Lee & Shepard

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: May 1, 1966

Categories: FICTION