Preview of The Runner Summary:

The Runner is an introspective book, focusing on one person's journey toward maturity as he struggles with the conflicting ideas and ideals that make up his world. The novel is also a study in shared humanity: Through the character of Samuel "Bullet" Tillerman, Voigt explores the question of whether a person can remain an entity unto himself or, if by virtue of being born, must become a part of humanity.

Bullet is a senior in high school who is determined to be in complete control of his own life. He will not allow himself to become "boxed in" by the stern demands of his dictatorial father or the unvoiced needs of his repressed mother. Bullet disdains involvement in the social problems of his school, resists the entanglements that his friends would impose upon him, and mocks the efforts of his coach to make him a team player. Bullet's...