Whether it's Pippi Longstocking, Tom Sawyer, or Emil's detectives, truant children and teenagers are often adventurers in classic literature, bringing a smile to the reader through their actions and experiences. What was humorously depicted in the 18th and 19th centuries has taken on a different tone in the early 21st century. Skipping school has become a media topic. Despite many media reports indicating an increase in truants, the subject remains complex and multifaceted.