In this exciting and fascinating story set during the Revolutionary War, we meet 13-year-old Samuel, whose love for the forest surrounding his family's farm combined with his talent for shooting game make him the major source of meat for his family and others in the small settlement in which he resides. Samuel's parents are not truly wilderness people even though they live in it. They have fled the city to live a quiet life on the farm, where they can work hard, contemplate big ideas, play music and read.

When the story begins, Samuel is tracking a deer deep in the quiet green forest. While following his prey, he remembers reading the paper a neighbor brought over the night before, giving the news of a battle in Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, against British soldiers. That war seems far distant from Samuel's life on the rugged frontier, but it won't feel that way for long. By the time Samuel has traveled eight or so miles through the forest, he begins to have a feeling that something is wrong. That inkling is intensified when he sees smoke rising in the direction of his settlement. He must get home, but with nightfall coming on within an hour, he will have to race through the forest. The entire time he's running, Samuel dreads what he will find. Were his parents attacked while he wasn't around to protect them?

Samuel approaches his settlement with caution, worried that he might run into the attackers. But there is no one there…at least no one left alive. His heart breaks as he finds the bodies of his neighbors, brought low by tomahawks or clubs, amongst the ashes of what were once homes. He buries his friends as night falls over the ruins of the settlement. In the morning, he puts his tracking skills to use, which tell him that his parents and others have been kidnapped, dragged away by their assailants. He can tell that some of the attackers wore shoes, others had on moccasins, and two or three horses were with the attackers.

Samuel puzzles over the mystery of why his parents' lives were spared. But one thing he knows for sure: He must rescue his mother and father somehow. As he travels through the countryside, tracking their captors, Samuel sees sights that are devastating to him. Along the way, his talents are tried, he meets deadly enemies face to face, acquires a traveling companion and discovers unlikely friends. He must struggle against hunger, despair and hopelessness as he endures hardships during his quest.

The fictional story alternates with nonfiction pieces giving fascinating information about life in 1776, the Revolutionary War, common weapons used on the frontier and by soldiers of the day, how communication was carried across the frontier, and much more, allowing us a more substantial understanding of Samuel's world. The Revolutionary War, as author Gary Paulsen points out, is often regarded as dramatic, heroic and patriotic. While all these adjectives are accurate, it's easy to forget that, as in any other war, combat was horrible. During the eight years of the war, thousands of young soldiers were killed in battle while dozens of thousands died because of disease and infections. WOODS RUNNER, as an exciting adventure story coupled with enlightening historical facts, makes for a terrific read.