Finding Stinko by Michael de Guzman

Newboy is on the run from his foster home, hasn't spoken in years, and all he has in the world is $27.40 and a beat-up copy of Robinson Crusoe--until he finds Stinko. Stinko is only a wooden ventriloquist's dummy, but once he's paired up with Stinko, Newboy finds that he can talk again. The dangerous world of young runaways in New York City becomes bearable with Stinko, and with Newboy's new friends, Penny, Hacker and Peeper. This is a quick read with lots of action and great characters.