Set in his hometown of Las Vegas, Bock’s book opens with 12-year-old Newell Ewing running away from his parents, and their seemingly idyllic life in the suburbs. The story subsequently follows their attempt to find him, and disturbing encounters with the City of Sin’s cast of misfits, dropouts and miscreants.

Fitch, author of bestselling novel White Oleander, tells the story of teenage runaway Josie Tyrell. The story follows her descent into an unhealthy relationship with the privileged Michael, and the aftermath of his suicide. Dealing with feelings of intense guilt, Josie tries to forget about it through drugs, alcohol and music. She forms a fragile relationship with Michael’s mother, Meredith, as the two find an unexpected comfort in each other, allowing them to answer some of their biggest questions and move on with their lives.

Runaway is the record of the two years Lau spent living on the streets of Vancouver, after running away from her traditional Chinese home at age 14. Obsessed with writing from a young age, Lau’s ambition never left her, and she kept a diary during her years on the streets. She chronicles the time she spent in and out of social services, abusing drugs, working as a prostitute and her several suicide attempts.

Live Through This: A Mother's Memoir of Runaway Daughters and Reclaimed Love by Debra Gwartney

After Gwartney and her husband split up, her two older daughters ran away from home. This memoir portrays the author’s agony at having lost her daughters to the streets, and subsequent news of their destructive behavior: including drug use and attempted suicide. Gwartney writes with raw emotion and fearless honesty about the pain she experiences during their absence, and the slow process of eventual reconciliation.