Books About Running Away

The Best Running Away Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about running away? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Running Away

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1967

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

By E.L. Konigsburg

A young girl runs away from home with her brother to live in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

172 pages· 30,922 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

5.8/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 221,611 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Claudia plans the perfect escape to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, dragging her thrifty brother Jamie along. But their adventure takes a twist when they stumble upon a mysterious statue. Determined to uncover its secrets, Claudia faces a challenge that could alter her perspective forever. Can they solve the mystery and find their way back home?

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2016

Home Run

By Tim Green · Book #4 in the Baseball Great series

A young baseball player must hit home runs to win a house and save his family from losing everything.

352 pages· 62,597 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 406 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Josh's world crumbles when his dad leaves, forcing his family into a cramped apartment. The new baseball coach is tough, but hope arrives with a home-run derby offering a house as the prize. To win, Josh must hit twenty home runs this season. With friends Benji and Jaden by his side, he faces the ultimate challenge: save his family or lose it all. Can Josh rise to the occasion, or will he strike out when it matters most?

Sale price

$674

Picture Book · Ages 5–9 · 1999

Jane on Her Own

By Ursula K. Le Guin, S.D. Schindler (Illustrator) · Book #4 in the Catwings series

A winged cat's quest for freedom leads to unexpected captivity.

45 pages· 3,240 words· Est. 25 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,464 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Jane, a winged cat yearning for adventure, escapes her mundane farm life only to be captured by a seemingly kind human. Now, as the TV sensation Miss Mystery, she must navigate her newfound fame and confinement. Can Jane ever reclaim her freedom and explore the world as she dreams? Discover the twists and turns of her daring escape in this captivating tale.

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2024

Deep Water

By Jamie Sumner

A marathon swim tests Tully's resolve to bring her mom back, but danger looms in the deep waters.

224 pages· 22,450 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 983 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Tully Birch embarks on a daring marathon swim across Lake Tahoe, hoping to set a record and win back her absent mother's attention. With her best friend Arch by her side, Tully faces the physical and emotional challenges of the 'Godfather swim.' As memories resurface and the waters grow treacherous, Tully must decide whether to push on and risk everything or abandon her quest for safety. Will her determination lead to triumph or tragedy?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2009

Runaway Twin

By Peg Kehret

A runaway seeks her long-lost twin, facing storms, bullies, and unexpected truths.

197 pages· 39,475 words· Est. 5.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,498 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Sunny, a determined thirteen-year-old, escapes her foster home to find the twin sister she lost a decade ago. Her journey is fraught with challenges—a fierce tornado, relentless bullies, and a loyal stray dog. But the biggest test awaits: discovering if her sister is the person she imagined. As Sunny navigates these obstacles, she must confront the possibility that her reunion may not bring the closure she seeks. Will Sunny's quest lead to the family she dreams of, or will it unravel everything she believes about her past?

Sale price

$1797

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2023

Greenwild

By Pari Thomson · Book #1 in the Greenwild series

A girl discovers a magical world while searching for her missing mother.

364 pages· 79,402 words· Est. 11 hour read

4.1/5 Goodreads · 4,052 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Summary: Eleven-year-old Daisy Thistledown is on the run, searching for her vanished mother. Fleeing through a hidden doorway, she enters the Greenwild, a magical realm full of wonders. With a botanical genius, an animal-talking boy, and a feisty cat, Daisy must uncover secrets that could save her mother and this enchanted world. But dark forces threaten to destroy everything. Can Daisy harness her newfound powers in time?

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1996

Three Cheers for the Worst Witch

By Jill Murphy · The Worst Witch series

Can Mildred survive magical mishaps at witch school?

304 pages· 28,905 words· Est. 4 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 207 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Mildred Hubble, a young witch at Miss Cackle’s Academy, faces chaos at every turn. From clashing with the teacher’s pet to guiding a tricky new student, her school life is anything but ordinary. As she tries to shed her reputation for disaster, an enchanted frog complicates her plans. Will Mildred ever find her footing in a world of magic and mayhem?

Sale price

$759

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2018

The Light Jar

By Lisa Thompson

A boy is left alone in a forest cottage when his mother vanishes. Can he face his fears and find hope?

256 pages· 55,287 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,029 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: Nate and his mother flee to a secluded cottage, escaping a troubled past. When his mother disappears, Nate is left alone, surrounded by darkness and fear. As he grapples with his isolation, a mysterious girl on a treasure hunt and a familiar friend from his past emerge, offering unexpected comfort. Nate must summon courage to confront his fears and illuminate his future. Will he find the strength to survive and uncover the truth behind his mother's disappearance? A tale of fear, hope, and the light within, even in the darkest times.

Sale price

$759

Board Book · Ages 2–5 · 1991

The Frog Prince, Continued

By Jon Scieszka, Steve Johnson (Illustrator)

A prince wants to be a frog again, but witches have other plans.

32 pages· 1,109 words· Est. 9 min read-aloud

4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,477 ratings

$7.99Save 5%

Summary: A prince, once a frog, finds royal life unbearable with his lingering froggy habits. The princess is frustrated, and the prince longs to return to his amphibian form. However, finding a witch to reverse the spell proves challenging, as each has their own magical agenda. Will he ever find a way back to his true self, or is he destined to remain a prince forever? Dive into a whimsical tale of transformation, identity, and unexpected twists.

Sale price

$2849

Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2011

Wonderstruck

By Brian Selznick

Two children embark on parallel quests, fifty years apart, to uncover life-changing secrets.

640 pages· 21,673 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 60,129 ratings

$29.99Save 5%

Summary: Ben, longing for a father he's never known, and Rose, captivated by a mysterious actress, embark on separate quests fifty years apart. Ben finds a clue in his mother's room, while Rose is drawn by a newspaper headline. Their journeys, one told in words and the other in pictures, weave together in unexpected ways. What secrets will they uncover, and how will their stories intertwine? Discover a world where past and present collide, leaving you breathless with wonder.

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Running Away Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about running away for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Sale price

$1799

The Three Little Tamales

Ages 5–8 · 2009

Three tamales flee to build homes, but a wolf threatens their safety.

Sale price

$999

The Gingerbread Boy

Ages 4–8 · 1997

A gingerbread boy races through New York City, evading capture in a thrilling urban chase.

Sale price

$499

Marley's Big Adventure

Ages 4–8 · 2011

A runaway dog faces unexpected trouble. Can he find his way back home?

Sale price

$899

Mrs. Wishy-Washy's Farm

Ages 2–5 · 2003

Farm animals flee to the city, but chaos ensues. Will they return home?

Sale price

$999

Where Are You Going, Little Mouse?

Ages 4–8 · 1986

A young mouse questions his family's love and runs away.

Sale price

$1899

Zombie and Brain Are Friends

Ages 4–8 · 2025

A young zombie must choose: are brains friends or food?

Sale price

$799

The Runaway Mummy

Ages 3–5 · 2009

A mummy's escape plan is foiled by a mother's unwavering love.

View all running away picture books

Browse by age

Running Away Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about running away for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$1699

The Silent Songbird

Ages 12–17 · 2016

A woman flees a forced marriage, hiding her voice and identity, risking everything for freedom and love.

Sale price

$799

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ages 8–12 · 2002

A girl fights to keep her newfound family together against all odds.

Sale price

$1699

Adventures of the Runaway Rocking Chair

Ages 7–11

A missing rocking chair leads to an unexpected adventure.

Sale price

$3299

The Marvels

Ages 10–13 · 2015

A boy's quest uncovers family secrets in a mysterious London house.

Sale price

$899

Smack Dab in the Middle of Maybe

2018

A girl seeks a hidden room to reunite with her mother. Will she find it?

Sale price

$1795

The Library Gingerbread Man

Ages 6–9 · 2010

A runaway Gingerbread Man leads a wild chase through the library.

Sale price

$2499

Child of the Dream

Ages 9–12 · 2019

Enhanced readability transforms young readers' experiences.

Sale price

$1695

Rescue Josh McGuire

Ages 5–12 · 1991

A boy's quest to save a bear cub turns into a fight for survival in the mountains.

Sale price

$1699

The Rambling

Ages 8–12 · 2019

A boy must master a magical card game to save his father from a powerful crime lord.

Sale price

$1299

Run Away With Me

Ages 14–18 · 2025

Two runaways, a Mustang, and a dangerous cross-country escape. Can they outrun their pasts?

Sale price

$799

Megan's Island

Ages 8–12 · 1988

A family flees in the night, but what are they running from?

Sale price

$1980

Doll Bones

Ages 10–13 · 2013

A bone-china doll's curse leads three friends on a haunting quest. Is it just a game, or something more sinister?

View all running away chapter books

Keep exploring

Books about museums Books about runaways Books about self-reliance Books about the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)

Our 10 Favorite Books About Running Away

Great books, picked for their age.

Running Away Picture Books

Running Away Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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