Quick Question: Is Running Away a YA Cliche?

[E.]

Would it be cliche to have my MC run away from home in the first chapter or so in YA Fantasy?

It sounds cliche, but I actually haven't read any books with this so... please help?? The context would be there, I'm not planning on just dropping my readers into my MC climbing out the window or something.

[Tiffany]

I've read several running away YA novels. the first that comes to mind is the V.C. Andrews series titled, wait for it ... Runaways. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
It's about five young girls who are all orphans.

another one that comes to mind is Sand Piper
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
In this one a teen boy runs away from home. I won't spoil it, in case you want to read it.

Then there is Rule Of The Bone
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
It's a modern twist on Huckleberry Finn.


Not sure if it's been done enough to consider it cliche. The key thing is to present it in a different way. Why is the teen running away? Abusive home? Doesn't feel appreciated? Feels parents are stifling them? Even if some consider it cliche, if you give a fresh reason why the teen is running away you can rise above the cliche.

[Margaret]

It depends why they are running away. If they are running away because they have been told by a messenger or prophecy or old wizard that they are chosen to save the world and they decide to do it, it would seem a little unrealistic and cliche to me. But otherwise, running away is a really broad concept and personally, doesn’t seem cliche if the reason is reasonable and convincing. Hope that helps :)