Taming the Star Runner

by S. E. Hinton

Overview

From the best-selling author of The Outsiders, S.E. Hinton's Taming the Star Runner explores loneliness and the need to belong, and the inevitability of change—universal struggles associated with coming-of-age. This edition includes a new and exclusive Author's Note.

Travis is the epitome of cool, especially when he's in trouble. But when he's sent to stay on his uncle's ranch, he finds that his tough attitude doesn't make him any friends, and his city survival skills are no match for the unforgiving land. He does find friendship of a sort with Casey, who runs a riding school. She's the bravest person Travis has ever met, and crazy enough to try to tame the Star Runner, her beautiful and dangerous horse, always on edge and about to explode—like Travis himself.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780385376662
Publisher:	Random House Children's Books
Publication date:	08/06/2013
Edition description:	Reprint
Pages:	192
Sales rank:	101,706
Product dimensions:	5.40(w) x 8.10(h) x 0.60(d)
Lexile:	790L (what's this?)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

S. E. Hinton wrote her first novel, The Outsiders, when she was 16. She was the recipient of the ALA’s first Margaret A. Edwards Award, which honors authors “whose books have provided young adults with a window through which they can view their world and which will help them to grow and to understand themselves and their role in society.” The author lives in Tulsa, OK.

Editorial Reviews

''Taming the Star Runner'' is remarkable for its drive and the wry sweetness and authenticity of its voice. . . . S. E. Hinton continues to grow in strength as a young adult novelist. -- New York Times

Patty Campbell

When rebellious adolescent Travis is sent to live on his uncle's farm, he forms an uneasy friendship with a young riding instructor and a strange kinship with her restless horse, Star Runner. Ages 12-up. (Nov.)

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

Gr 7-10 Devoted fans will leap on Hinton's new novel, yet her protagonist Travis is no Tex (Delacorte, 1979). On the surface, this 15 year old resembles the classic misfits from the author's previous books; however, Travis lacks Tex' zest for living. Released from juvenile hall to cool down at his uncle's Oklahoma horse ranch, he acts the role of sensitive punkhe looks like a rebel and flies into violent rages, yet he seeks to publish his novel and he loves his cat. He wants to be left alone, but he suffers from being ignored by the ``hicks'' at school. The high point of his introspective retreat is his attraction to Casey, the riding instructor who leases his uncle's barn. The scenes of stable chores, riding lessons, and horse shows may interest some readers, while the equestrian jargon will mean nothing to the book's primary audience. Hinton uses a horse, Star Runner, as a counterpart to Travis to illustrate her theme of life's quirks: some win, some don't. Without making much of an effort, Travis ends up a winneralive, free from jail, and a published author. Hinton builds a sparse plot around a predominately bleak theme. Although the story isn't fleshed out, tough-guy Travis will appeal to a certain readership. Others will find him forgettable, especially compared to his fictional predecessors. Charlene Strickland, formerly at Albuquerque Pub . Library , N.M

School Library Journal

Charged with the attempted murder of his abusive stepfather, 16-year-old Travis is sent to live with his uncle on a ranch in Oklahoma. Margo Skinner reads the nonstop action in her slightly raspy, intriguing voice, capturing the excitement of the story. She excels in her portrayal of Travis’s mother and K.C., a girl Travis falls in love with. The story contains mild profanity and implied violence, which is appropriate to its real-life situations. Casting a male reader might have enhanced the characterization of Travis--Skinner’s voice doesn’t portray the male voices with convinction. Nevertheless, she delivers an enjoyable and enticing reading sure to capture listeners. P.A.J. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine

JAN 96 - AudioFile