The Running Dream (Schneider Family Book Award - Teen Book Winner)

As an aging senior reading a young adult novel - this was a very easy, enjoyable read! Very engaging, heart warming. Reminding us that we can do hard things and we can overcome!

This book is great! It’s about having courage in any situation that you’re in: hard or easy. Let’s Go Jessica!

I feel like any kind of summary or review is not going to do full justice to this story, but here's my attempt. (Or just skip reading this and go use this time to go find yourself a copy and read it yourself. You'll be glad you did.) Jessica is a runner. She lives to feel the wind in her face and the thrill of crossing the finish line. So losing a foot in an accident feels like the end of the world. In fact, she sometimes wishes she could trade places with the girl who died in the accident and possibly had it easier. But in the midst of despair and grief, Jessica's family and best friend Kayley will NOT give up on her or let her wallow in grief. Once Jessica gets out of the hospital, Kayley practically drags her out of the house and back to high school, even though Jessica is scared of how people will look at her now. But being different turns out a great way to find out who really cares about the real her, like her track team that gives her an unexpected dose of hope by deciding to try and raise $20,000 for a special running leg so Jessica can someday live that running dream she has every night. And there's also Rosa, a math whiz and super wise friend who happens to have cerebral palsy, and who ashamedly, Jessica had always totally ignored before the accident. Beyond learning some important things about herself, Jessica realizes that people like Rosa and herself want to be known and loved for who they are, not for their conditions, and she decides to use the platform her accident has given her to raise awareness of this in her town. I read a lot, like about 5 books a week. And I have to say this is the best fiction book I've read all year. I had to flip to the back of the book to make sure this wasn't inspired by a true story. It reads like one. Jessica's roller coaster ride of emotions throughout the book feels so incredibly realistic for a teen facing such a situation. And the way her parents, sister, and various friends react feels very authentic as well. Van Draanen obviously did her homework. I think the power of the story is not just that Jessica overcomes her hardships with the help of an awesome community, but she uses what she learns and has been blessed with to bless others. As wonderful as her story is, when Rosa enters the picture, it goes to a whole new level of wonderful. I can't believe this hasn't been made into a movie because people would eat it up. Oh, and for those of you who cry during Hallmark movies or Hallmark card commercials, be warned you will probably need a jumbo sized box of tissues to go with this book. I managed to squeak by without using any, but only just, and I NEVER cry watching movies or reading books. I guess it goes without saying that it was very touching. Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. No violence. The accident and Jessica's injury are not described in any gory details. Jessica does have a very brief struggle with dependence on pain meds during her recovery but her family intervenes before she becomes seriously addicted.

Great book.

This book isn't your typical fictional Woe-is-Me disability story that will leave a grey cloud hanging over your head. Rather, it's a beautifully pieced-together illustration of how powerful hope and friendship can be, and of course, we're working with the amazing Wenelin Van Draanen (Flipped, etc.), so the writing is phenomenal and the characters are very real, as always. Although overloaded technical terms at some points, I found it to be enjoyable even though I know nothing about running and I don't play sports. Jessica's will to live and thirst to help others is universally inspirational . The Running Dream has a lackluster, indefinite conclusion: Quiet, serene and almost predictable, although well worth the enjoyable ride. I am sure I am not the only reader who thought this book was missing a chapter or two. Regardless, The Running Dream, well-lauded and rightfully so, deserves yet another cheering fan in the stands. It will not only recommended to others, but it will stay on my bookshelves and be re-read again and again. No ridiculous flash or pretentious sheen; just raw energy and a purely high-quality, enjoyable tale. Wendelin Van Draanen doesn't merely cross the finish line with this one; she gets the gold.

We were introduced to the book this year as it is on a list of suggested summer reading choices for my soon to be 7th grader. A friend read and recommended it to my daughter, who then bought it. Three days later, she came to me and insisted I read it too. I am very glad I did, as it is a well written story about facing adversity, understanding matters bigger than oneself, and overcoming obstacles. Jessica, the main character, loses part of her leg after a car accident. At sixteen, that alone would be very difficult to cope with; however, Jessica is a fast runner on the track team, and to lose her leg makes her feel like she has lost her freedom. The book is in five parts, with very short chapters in each section, so it moves along at a very quick pace. The story opens with Jessica facing the reality of not having a leg and continues with her going through different stages of denial, anger, acceptance, and ultimately resolve. She has some supportive friends, a realistic family, and doctors who care but don't always know how to express themselves well to a teenage girl. Along the way to her recovery, Jessica learns more about herself, her fortitude, and her character than she ever expected. The author does an excellent job taking the reader along on the journey. This review is vague, because I don't want to share too much about the plot and inadvertently give away a spoiler. Suffice it to say, the book is great for middle school and high school students. There is no inappropriate language or behaviors, and the lessons learned will be relevant to the 11-17 year old age group. As an adult, I also found it meaningful and am glad my daughter suggested I read it.

This book caught my attention, and I'm so glad that I decided to give it a chance! I read a print copy from the library, and enjoyed it so much that I purchased my own copy for the Kindle. This is a wonderful story with a message of courage, perseverance, and encouraging us to take a closer look at the people around us. The author does a wonderful job of describing Jessica's confusion and grief at having her dreams suddenly ripped away from her, and manages to convey those emotions without coming across as overly depressing or maudlin. You find yourself cheering Jessica on as she refuses to give up and resumes determinedly chasing her dream - with the added twist of befriending Rosa. That arc was one of my favorite parts of the whole book as Jessica's eyes were opened to this "lesser" person and she realized that although Rosa had a disability, she was also a regular girl with hopes, dreams, and a personality. Again, the author manages to convey that message without coming across as heavy-handed or overly sweet. EXCELLENT book!

The Running Dream is about a runner named Jessica who loses her leg and goes through months of recovery. While she is recovering, she makes new friends and starts to discover new things about herself, such as why she runs and how to accept her friends' differences. Her friends help her persevere by encouraging her, and teach her about relationships. I thought this book was interesting because it shows about something most people don't experience: losing a leg. My favorite part was when Jessica starts to run again and finally meets her dream. After the accident, she always dreams of running, so I felt proud for her when she made her dream come true. Readers will enjoy this book because they can relate to it and make connections with their own lives. It is good for middle school and up, due to the age and maturity of the characters, who are in high school. If you are a runner or an amputee, or just about anybody, you will like this book!

If you are a runner, you gonna love it whatsoever.

I received it yesterday, and its condition isn't very good.

love love love this book 10/10 recommend

人のあたたかみにあふれたお話でとても良かったです！ あっという間に読んでしましました！ 日本の中学生にはまだ難しいかな・・・高校、大学生にはおすすめできます！

This is a fab story. It’s full of heart. I’t probably does gloss over the struggles of being a teen amputee but it was an uplifting read.