The Runaway’s Gold
Everyone on New York was escaping his past, and Christpher Robinso was no exception.
The year is 1842, and thirteen-year-old Christopher Robertson and his family are struggling to survive as fishermen and farmers in Shetland, a cluster of islands off the northern coast of Scotland. Poverty, hunger, and being in debt is all they’ve ever known—and, all they are likely to ever know—until an unexpected twist of fate changes Christopher’s life forever.
When John, Christopher’s devious brother, frames him for the theft of their father’s secret pouch of coins, Christopher embarks on a journey to return the coins and clear his good name. But the journey is full of unexpected turns: a stop in prison, the promise of a beautiful girl, a journey abroad a smuggler’s ship, and the clue to finding a stash of gold coins hidden by an American spy some sixty years earlier. And when Christopher finds his way to New York City, he begins a new life fraught with dangers of its own.
Age range: 9 to 13
Grade range: 5 to 8
NH Literary Award - Winner Readers Choice
New England Book Festival award, YA winner
National Book Festival - NH’s featured book
Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People
The Runaway’s Gold Reviews
“Debut author Burack infuses this gritty tale with plenty of historical details about both the Shetland Islands and life as an immigrant in Boss Tweed’s New York. From traditional Shetland shoes and the importance of those famously short ponies to the unfair labor practices that contribute to Christopher’s Dickensian experiences, Burack’s careful research into Shetland history clearly shines through.”
“Burack’s story moves at an engaging clip with enough thrills and historical detail to please many readers.”
“Set in 1842 and overflowing with historical detail, the novel makes generous use of dialect, which–along with a plot roving in time and packed with characters…leads to a rewarding conclusion that intertwines a piece of early American history with christopher and his Shetland home.”
“The story showcases the author’s talent for description and pacing…those who [invest in this title] will be well rewarded.”