SOLVED. YA fiction. Girl (Rachel? about 17) on the run while looking after a small boy (Sam about 4-6). Romance with young guy who helps them. Published in mid 1990s or earlier. [s]

[Miranda]

All I can remember was that I think the girl's name was Rachel and the little boy's name was Sam. He wasn't her son but she loved him and wanted to look after him and protect him from whatever evil forces they were running from (possibly an older man, a relative even, with sinister/paedophilic designs on Rachel?) I remember them sleeping in a barn at some point. There was a young guy who helped them and was a love interest for Rachel, I think they may have even slept together near the end of the book.

[Miranda]

Also I know it's not Cynthia Voigt's 'Homecoming', although that book also deals with an older girl on the run while looking after her younger siblings.

[M—]

There's a novel called Shelter that has a girl named Roberta trying to run with a small boy she wasn't related to and cared deeply for, but that element was largely background and flashback information for the plot of the novel.

[Miranda]

No I don't think that's it, it was more of a fluffy adolescent lit story. Thanks for the suggestion though!

[Cara]

I'm not sure how long ago you read it, but Jump the Cracks sounds like it could be close.

[Miranda]

Thanks, that does sound similar but the book I remember would've been published in the mid 90s or earlier.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Did it take place in England? I was searching for books similar to this several months ago, I came across a book about possibly a sister and brother (which sounds different from your set-up) running away from a creepy/bad uncle or stepfather or father, in England. I think they might have been headed for their grandmother's house. They crossed a bunch of countryside so they may have slept in a barn.

What was the age difference between Rachel and Sam?

[Cheryl]

The Crystal Drop is along these lines, but not close enough....

[Miranda]

YES they definitely slept in a barn! And the creepy uncle/stepfather bit sounds right. They could've been brother & sister. Sam was about 4-6 I'd say and Rachel around 17.

[Cheryl]

Here's a free bump for autumn. Come back in a few months and simply reply with any comment to bump it again, ok? Otherwise we might sadly conclude you have abandoned the quest.

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

Sarah, are you still looking for this or did you find it?

[Miranda]

Still looking!

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

How about now?

[Becca]

Maybe it would be on one of these lists?

Runaway list

Best On the Run Running Away Books

[Aelin]

Maybe the fifth wave

[Aelin]

Probably not tho

[Shelia]

It sounds familiar. Was it a paranormal book maybe with werewolves and/or other shifters.

[Rainbowheart]

Summerspell?

Might also check the Runaways in YA and Middle Grade Fiction list.

[Miranda]

Yes I'm still looking!

Thanks for the suggestions. I checked all of the lists but couldn't find it. I don't think it was a particularly well known book and probably never reprinted.

No, there were definitely no supernatural elements.

It's not Summerspell or the Fifth Wave.

[Kris]

Sarah, how old is Rachel? Was the boy sometimes called Samuel?

What is the story's time period and location (country, region, near a well-known city, small town)?

[Lobstergirl, au gratin]

If we can find this by tomorrow the thread will take precisely 10 years to solve.

[Lindsay]

Was it historical fiction? medieval Scotland/ england?

[The Honest Book Reviewer]

Was it a horror novel?
For some reason, this stuck in my mind when I read the description. The names of the characters are different, but maybe you remember them as being different.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

[Miranda]

Kris wrote: "Sarah, how old is Rachel? Was the boy sometimes called Samuel?

What is the story's time period and location (country, region, near a well-known city, small town)?"

I'd say around 15-16. I don't think the boy was ever called Samuel, just Sam. I'm not sure of the time & location but I think probably small-town America, in around the 1980s-90s.

No it was not historical (that I could tell), certainly not Scottish/medieval. No it was not horror.

[Kris]

I added genre and plot details to the topic header. Feel free to update it by clicking the small "edit" link after the header. This only works on the full Desktop website - not the Mobile website or app.

[Rainbowheart]

Kinda reminds me of Where to Now, Blue?, but the names are way off and the girl is too young to have a lover. I think she does have a boyfriend who tries to help her, but they wouldn't be having sex at that age.

Stealing Henry is another one that sort of fits, but it wasn't pubbed until 2005.

[Rainbowheart]

Think I got it!

With Love, From Sam and Me

[Miranda]

Oh YES that is it! (With love from Sam and Me). I recognised the front cover immediately. I had her name wrong but I think I was mixing it in my mind with another story about a runaway named Rachel. Thank you so much!! Now I have to see if I can find a copy and re-read.

[Miranda]

("Rachel on the Run" by Maggie Prince is the other one I was thinking of, I think I would have read them at a similar time.)

[Rainbowheart]

Awesome news, thanks for the update!

Super glad that was the right one. I remember Rachel on the Run has come up before, too.

[Kris]

Excellent! Glad you found your book, Sarah. Thanks for the update.