The magic of Brian Selznick is that he makes being inquisitive and curious an exciting adventure. Through his middle grade books he taught young readers about movies, and theater, and magic. He turned the every day into a mystery. He does the same with his first YA book. Taking the reader on a journey through Rome, itself a journey through time. And, as he does with The Marvels, he imagines one of the many untold stories of people throughout history who had to hide their love because of an innate part of who they are.

I took my time perusing every inch of every page of Selznick's signature pencil drawings- I would never miss a new book with his remarkable talent printed on the pages. This one just happens to be more timely and relevant for me because I will be visiting Rome for the first time in just 6 weeks! I was swept up in the setting as presented in the first third of the book- through sketchwork only. And then I was equally swept up in the story that commenced: of first love, youthful adventure, and the excitement of self-discovery and secrets. And not only the secrets of our queer protagonists, but those of the men from generations past who also had to keep their love hidden. Though the circumstances and time in history meant that our mmcs wouldn't have an HEA, I was happy to be a witness to their HFN. (happy for now)

Lyrical and poignant with Selznick’s trademark storytelling artwork. I loved tagging along with Danny and Angelo on their summer of discovery!

Brian Selznick is an amazing author and illustrator. Every one of his novels is rich with depth of its characters. This book contains so much history of Rome, that I kept looking things up to see if they were real. The intensity of the relationship between Danny and Angelo is powerful. Another wonderful and well researched novel!

Brian Selznick has written a beautiful love story that I know I will remember for a long time. Run Away With Me is a story about young love, history, and the city of Rome itself. I always adore the way Brian decides to tell his stories with both illustrations and words. He does an incredible job with Danny and Angelo’s story and showing the beauty of Rome. The boys explore the city and fall in love along the way. I also enjoyed reading Angelo’s stories he tells Danny about the history of Rome and also about other young loves.

I highly recommend this stunning book to fans of Brian’s other books and those who love a great romance. This is one of my favorite romances I have ever read and that is not an exaggeration. I cannot wait to add it to my Brian Selznick collection.

This was such a sweet romance! I loved the illustrations at the beginning of the book, they made me want to be in Rome. I've enjoyed Selznick's other books and this was such a treat to read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Scholastic Press for a copy of this ARC!

An epic love story for the ages! This is the most romantic YA book I have ever read, either with cis heterosexual characters or LGBTQ+ characters. I love Danny and Angelo's love story and won't soon forget it. What a feast for the senses--Rome in the summer of 1986, with two boys who are swept up in the history, stories, and love of the most romantic place.

I rooted for Danny and Angelo to find happiness and the beautiful illustrations by Brian Selznick give the reader such an emotional high. Selznick, who is known for his amazing illustrations, takes a turn writing a heartfelt, beautiful love story. Readers will be swept away in the adventure and love. Highly recommended for high school libraries and public libraries.

I've been a firm Selznick fans since I first got my grimy, child hands of a dogeared copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret in late middle school. It was a once in a lifetime experience. Up until then, I had been one of those unbearable people who thought that graphic novels were inferior to text-only novels. Clearly, I learned my lesson as I now read more graphic novels than not these days. Regardless, Hugo was a very important book for me and I was a bit scared to read anything new because what if I didn't like it as much?

Well, that was silly. Of course the new Selznick title isn't just amazing and clever and chock full of jaw dropping illustrations, but it's entirely different than Hugo, too. Both are historical fiction but that's about where the similarities end.

Run Away with Me is a love letter to young love, the power of history, and the city of Rome. The first and final section are entirely conducted in Selznick's iconic shadowy illustrations (at least in the physical ARC I have) while the middle is the equally artistic narrative prose that feels a bit like wadding through balmy, sun-dappled waters. The story takes place over a summer where Danny, an American teenager in Rome for the summer thanks to his mother's job restoring old books, meets Angelo, a mysterious Italian teen with a knack for storytelling (and potentially, lying). Together, Danny and Angelo roam the city and the histories of multiple historic people and places unfold through their adventures. I'm not sure how much of the history is true (again, Angelo's stories are presented as not fully reliable) but the history feels true in a way few novels are able to achieve.

I want to keep this review spoiler-free so I'll end it there. Just know, if you're like me, and Hugo Cabret made an irreplaceable mark on you, fret not- this book will make an entirely new one, all it's own. This is definitely Selznick, but a new side to his storytelling that plays with familiar themes and patterns but in a completely different way. I absolutely loved every summery second.

Character driven, this story is perfect for fans of Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Saenz.

I loved meeting Danny and Angelo and exploring Rome through their senses. The story within the story, told to Danny by Angelo, is a fun maybe mystery. AND, Danny's mom works with old books!

Brian Selznick's middle grade books feature an illustrated portion of his stories with the illustrations telling half the story. I was missing that in this YA book. There are some illustrations at the beginning and end of the book, but so many places throughout the story had me expecting more illustrations.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this wonderful tale.

This is in the vein of the ethereal queer story [book:Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe|12000020] with Selnick's writing reminiscent of Benjamin Alire Saenz's for sure and thus is my dual perspective on the book: deeply moving with Rome, the city and architecture and stories being a central character are much as the characters themselves and a set of days where these two boys spend time learning, existing, connecting as an adult reader recognizing the skill and craft and emotion behind the story and the adult reader thinking about teens where this is a niche read for a sophisticated or deeply emotional reader exploring relationships and connections- it is not an every teen reader book. There needs to be a recognition between the two and that's my opinion, but I don't think an unpopular one.

Readers get a crash course in Roman history from Danny, whose mother is working at the Monde, who is learning from "Angelo", an "old soul" in the body of a teenager who is likely not from this lifetime or world spending magical days before Danny leaves.

Another beautiful Selznick novel, but for a YA audience. I was so excited to receive a galley of this title and poured over the pages in three sittings. Beautiful art and story. I anticipate it circulates well.

Brian Selznick's sensitive and gorgeously beautiful young adult novel, Run Away With Me, encapsulates the ageless charm of Rome and the enchantment of youthful love. The narrative centers on Danny and Angelo, two boys who develop a close relationship while touring the ancient city and is told in a gripping blend of language and Selznick's trademark pictures.

The story skillfully combines romance, self-discovery, and history to produce an emotionally stirring tale. Rome is brought to life by Selznick's pictures, which give the scene the same personality as the boys. Readers who appreciate stories that are as sad as they are artistic will find this book to be a beautiful celebration of LGBTQ love and first romance.

It was cozy and sweet and a wonderful portrayal of young queer love.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.

If you're already a fan of Brian Selznick's writing, you will love this. He continues to write his touching stories in immersive ways. This is an excellent new installment in Selznick's work with an important story to tell. Loved it and I think many young adults will find themselves in the story.

Run Away with Me by Brian Selznick is a beautiful story that takes place in Rome. The story follows Danny, a boy spending his summer with his mom in Italy, and Angelo, the Italian boy he meets. Together, they explore Rome as Angelo tells Danny its hidden secrets...and his own.

I have been a long-time fan of Brian Selznick, and I am so happy that he has finally released a book intended for young adults. The first part of the book is entirely comprised of his wonderfully drawn illustrations as you travel through Rome, following the paths of Danny and Angelo. While I wish there would have been more drawings interwoven through the narrative, the expertly-crafted narrative immerses readers into the story.

Danny and Angelo's love story is one that will stick with me for a while, and I'm so happy to have been given the opportunity to read this story. This story is one of love and wonder, and I'd recommend it to anyone!

This was really different from your typical romance. I honestly wouldn't categorize it as one but it was a beautiful and strange story. I enjoyed it even though I typically don't read YA books. It didn't feel young in maturity but it did feel young in the author captured the youthful feelings of not being in control of your life and feeling emotions intensely.

"Run Away With Me" is a Young Adult romance novel by Brian Selznick. It inlcudes the beautiful artwork that Selznick is famous for, with illustrations of architecture and statues in Rome as well as the two main characters, Danny and Angelo (names they give each other). Set in 1986, Danny (actually named Michael) is spending the summer in Rome, Italy while his mother, a museum conservator, works on a mysterious book. Danny meets Angelo and they travel around Rome, with Angelo sharing historical facts and stories about the beautiful city. A beautiful queer romance blossoms. A must buy for YA fiction collections.

In 1986 Michael was sixteen, spending the summer in Rome while his mother worked with rare books at a museum. Friendless because her job meant they constantly traveled, Michael wandered the city and was lonely until he met a curly-haired boy. Stories spun from his imagination but containing truths from Rome’s history intrigued him, taking them out of the present and into a world of their own. He was christened Danny, short for Dante, while Michael named his new friend Angelo because of angels he’d recently seen on a church ceiling.

With Angelo he felt emboldened and alive as they spent every moment together. Their feelings grew into intimacy while Angelo’s tours taught Danny about Rome’s people, myths, architecture, sculptures, paintings, music, and poetry. As their fateful summer winds down Danny knows they will soon part but also knows this summer in Rome will be forever theirs.

This touching story of two lonely boys who find love during a hot summer in Rome is Selznick’s first foray into Young Adult literature, and his debut is breathtaking. Unlike many of his earlier books illustrations do not appear everywhere. At the beginning a series of detailed illustrations show the Mondo Museum where Michael lives, and sights from their Roman tours. At the end of their last day together, poignant illustrations show the passage of time from their youth until the end of their lives. Teen readers will find much to enjoy as they also learn history.

Recommended for ages 16 and older.

Thank you Scholastic Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Summary: A summer in Rome transforms sixteen-year-old Danny as he discovers love, friendship, and secrets through his deepening bond with the mysterious and enigmatic Angelo.

My review: This book is a breathtaking blend of art and narrative that immerses readers in a summer of love, discovery, and the timeless allure of Rome. The story unfolds through a dual storytelling approach, seamlessly weaving poetic text with hundreds of finely detailed pencil drawings. .

The illustrations are a standout feature, capturing Rome’s iconic landmarks and hidden corners with remarkable accuracy and artistry. For readers who have walked the ancient streets or marveled at the city’s grandeur, the drawings will feel like a nostalgic return.

At its heart, this is a tender story of young love, centering queer identities in a way that feels authentic and affirming. Danny and Angelo’s relationship blossoms with sweetness and vulnerability, exploring themes of first love and self-discovery while connecting to stories of queer love across generations.

Genres/Themes: Young Adult Fiction / Romance - LGBTQ+ / LGBTQ+ / Places - Europe

Run Away With Me by Brian Selznick is scheduled for publication on April 1, 2025, by Scholastic Press.

What a lovely, charming book! This was quite different and refreshing; it was a love story between two teenage boys, a love letter to Rome, and a story about gay love through the ages, all bundled together.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this novel.