helen m hoover

Is there anyone out there who may know of an old YA sf book that I read back in the 70's with the main character called 'Varina'? I remember she was being chased by someone that was either a warlord, hunter or just someone in authority. She had companions with her that were either animals or...

I'm 37 and I'm looking for a book I read when I was younger about a boy who escapes from an underground city to get to the earth's surface by climbing up levels to get there. I can't remember all of the details, but in the end he does reach the surface... I think he travels with a girl...