The Running Dream

Books | Young Adult Fiction / Disabilities

4.4

(1.5K)

Wendelin Van Draanen

When Jessica is told she’ll never run again, she puts herself back together—and learns to dream bigger than ever before. The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story. Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She’s not comforted by the news that she’ll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run? As she struggles to cope, Jessica feels that she’s both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don’t know what to say act like she’s not there. Jessica’s embarrassed to realize that she’s done the same to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she’s missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her. With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that’s not enough for her now. She doesn’t just want to cross finish lines herself—she wants to take Rosa with her. “Inspirational. The pace of Van Draanen’s prose matches Jessica’s at her swiftest. Readers will zoom through the book just as Jessica blazes around the track. A lively and lovely story.” —Kirkus Reviews

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More Details:

Author

Wendelin Van Draanen

Pages

352

Publisher

Random House Children's Books

Published Date

2012-01-10

ISBN

0375866280 9780375866289

Ratings

Google: 5

Community ReviewsSee all

"For a lot of this book the main character was really in a slump after losing her leg. I found her story very heartbreaking even though we didn’t experience the accident it really put you there. I like this book a lot and Rosa and her friendship is honestly the cutest."

Abby

"This was so good."

Sunflower

"I really liked this book. It was really interesting for me and I loved the characters. But there was also a lot to be desired. A lot of the characters weren't described physically, so I didn't even know what the main character looked like. I also could've done without the romance subplot. "

July

"this book was really good tbh, i read it in 2 days while i was in-patient this year. I was skeptical to pick it up because i assumed it would be about some runner or track star. I’m so glad i decided to pick it up because it’s not what i imagined at all, and even though i’ve never expected “that” type of loss, i relate to the main character so much. "

Kaylee Mason

"I love this book, I was so into it and finished in two days!"

M F

Maddie Francisco

"The first time I read this was in the 7th grade. The story stuck with me for so long that this summer I found it and read it with my sister. I have never enjoyed running, but this book makes me want to get up and move! It's an easy read, but such a feel-good book. It makes you grateful for what you have, and I genuinely get goosebumps when I read it. It's an absolutely lovely novel."

ArcticPolar X

"This is a great book for young adults about a girl who loves running! "

Allison Schieber

"This book was seriously amazing. It makes you want to loose a leg and start running 😂 if you like realistic fiction with a bit of romance, this is the book for you! "