Books About Running Away

The Best Running Away Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

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.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Running Away

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

Newbery Medal (1968)
172 pages· 30,922 words· Est. 4.5 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.2/5 Goodreads · 222,322 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
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?
Home Run
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 Goodreads · 406 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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?
Jane on Her Own
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 Goodreads · 2,498 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Kindle Edition
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.
Deep Water
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 Goodreads · 1,000 ratings
$17.99Save 6%
Hardcover
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?
Runaway Twin
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 Goodreads · 5,509 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
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?
Greenwild
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 Goodreads · 4,151 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
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?
Three Cheers for the Worst Witch
Sale price
$858
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 1996

Three Cheers for the Worst Witch

By Jill Murphy · Book #4 in the The Worst Witch series

Can Mildred survive magical mishaps at witch school?

304 pages· 28,905 words· Est. 4 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 207 ratings
$8.99Save 5%
Paperback
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?
The Light Jar
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 Goodreads · 2,044 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.
The Frog Prince, Continued
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 Goodreads · 5,488 ratings
$7.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.
Wonderstruck
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.

Schneider Family Book Award (2012)
640 pages· 21,673 words· Est. 2.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 60,235 ratings
$29.99Save 5%
Paperback
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.

The Three Little Tamales
Sale price
$1799

The Three Little Tamales

Ages 5–8 · 2009

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

The Gingerbread Boy
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.

Teddy Bear for Sale
Sale price
$399

Teddy Bear for Sale

Ages 5–7 · 1995

Unwanted teddy bear escapes the store seeking adventure.

The Runaway Mummy
Series
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.

The Silent Songbird
Series
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.

Pictures of Hollis Woods
Sale price
$799

Pictures of Hollis Woods

Ages 8–12 · 2002

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

The Marvels
Sale price
$3299

The Marvels

Ages 10–13 · 2015

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

Child of the Dream
Sale price
$2499

Child of the Dream

Ages 9–12 · 2019

Enhanced readability transforms young readers' experiences.

Rescue Josh McGuire
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.

The Rambling
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.

Run Away With Me
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?

Megan's Island
Sale price
$799

Megan's Island

Ages 8–12 · 1988

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

View all running away chapter books
Keep exploring
Books about museumsBooks about runawaysBooks about self-relianceBooks about the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the Met)