How Many Miles to Babylon? — Paula Fox

One November morning, 10-year-old James Douglas runs away from school. Maybe he can find his mother. Maybe she can find him. But first James goes to his secret place in a deserted house. There he discovers Gino, Stick, and Blue -- tough kids who figure they can use James. Though they are not much older than he is, they already have a racket -- stealing dogs and collecting reward money for "finding" them. Trapped, James has to go along with them.

"They made me ride for miles," he tells his aunts, when it is finally safe to talk. "They kept watch on me. But I got away even though there was three of them." So James does escape -- but getting back home is just the beginning!