Book and phone display hardcover of 'The Runner' by Samuel Carter with close-up of a person's face, showing an eye with a reflection, water droplets on skin, and wet hair, emphasizing a survival story theme.
Book cover and smartphone displaying "The Runner: A Memoir" by Samuel Carter, featuring a close-up black and white photo of a person's face with a focus on the eye and face outdoors, with water droplets on the skin, and the title and author's name.

Some Decisions Break Your Life.

Others Rebuild It.

A true story about surviving homelessness, suicide loss, fatherlessness, the streets, gangs, and the long road to becoming the person you choose to be.

The Runner Book

The Runner Book Logo. Samuel Carter Books. A young boy running away, wearing a hoodie and pants, with a dark background.

This is the real story of a young boy who had to learn to survive on the streets. He faced abandonment , homelessness, gang violence and lock up, but he never lost hope. Through his journey, he found the strength to take responsibility, build a family, and find a sense of belonging.

This book isn’t just a story. The Runner is proof that change is possible.

That where you start doesn’t have to be where you finish.

One Year Changed Everything

Straight ‘A’ kid

School council member

Rugby Captain

Age

Age

Straight ‘A’ kid

School council member

Rugby Captain

One year is all it took

15

Homeless

Surrounded by gang violence

Youth Detention

Age

Age

16

Homeless

Surrounded by gang violence

Youth Detention

240_F_1922577847_HhTHGpQRgAaMQiej8zAvs9LRP4sgJyGa.jpg

Younger generations are being told who to blame. This book inspires the question:

Who to become?

Younger generations are being told who to blame. This book inspires the question:

Who to become?

“Nobody plans to destroy their life.
It happens one decision at a time.”

“Nobody plans to destroy their life.
It happens one decision at a time.”

“This book has the power to influence young people and inspire hope”

“A powerful story about choices and responsibility.”

“Every teen should read this book”.

— Secondary Teacher

— Youth Director

“A powerful story about choices and responsibility.”

— Secondary Teacher

“Every teen should read this book”.

— Youth Director

— Youth Director

“This book has the power to influence young people and inspire hope”

— Community Leader

— Community Leader

The Runner exists to help the next generation learn from mistakes they don’t have to make themselves.

Black and white portrait of a smiling middle-aged man with gray hair and beard, wearing a suit jacket and a black shirt.

Meet the Author

The Runner exists to help the next generation learn from mistakes they don’t have to make themselves.

Black and white portrait of Samuel Carter wearing a dark blazer and T-shirt, indoors.

Samuel Carter is a writer and speaker whose story began in survival and evolved into purpose.

At fifteen, he was navigating life on the streets — an experience that would later shape his understanding of identity, resilience, and choice.

Today, his work challenges young people to move beyond blame and take ownership of who they are becoming.

The Five Decisions

What Shapes Young Men & Women’s Lives

  • Who you walk with determines where you end up.

  • How you deal with pain shapes your life.

  • At some point you decide who you are.

  • You either control your life or your impulses do.

  • You cannot change the past, but you can choose your direction.

Photo taken from above shows black boots standing on gravel ground with two white arrows painted on the ground pointing in opposite directions.

Schools & Youth Programs

A Story That Starts Conversations

Exploring:

  • Peer Pressure

  • Decision Making

  • Resilience

  • Rebuilding

Icon of three people, representing a group or team.
Silhouette of a classical angel with wings and a long robe, standing with arms crossed, set against a white background.
A black silhouette of a person skateboarding on a ledge at sunset with trees in the background.

School Groups

Youth Program

Community Organisations

"I didn’t choose the streets — they chose me, and I had to survive."

Ready to Read The Runner?

A story about survival, responsibility, and rebuilding a life.

Book cover and smartphone displaying the cover of a book titled 'The Runner' by Samuel Carter. The cover features a close-up black-and-white photograph of a person's face with an intense gaze, with a brown eye that stands out. Water droplets are visible on the face, and the title is in bold white text with a silhouette of a runner in the letter 'O'. The subtitle reads 'A Memoir' and the tagline states 'A True Story of Survival and Choice'.

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