The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen is one of the most inspiring and heart-wrenching books I’ve read in a while.  There are so many things I love about it.  In addition to winning the Schneider Family Book Award (awarded to three books each year for the artistic expression of the disability experience for children or teens), this book has a a whole list of reasons why you will love it, too.

1. Jessica is devastated by the accident that causes her to lose a leg.  Since she is no longer a runner, she’s not sure who she is.  Yes, she is strong and determined and inspiring, but she is also whiny and impatient and angry.
2. Fiona is the best friend everyone should have.  She is bossy and organized and simply will not let Jessica waste away in despair for too long.  Not to mention, she can through an awesome party!
3. Rosa is a math wiz who rescues Jessica from certain failure in her toughest class.  Not only is she smart at math, but she is also wise and funny.  At first Jessica has a hard time seeing past Rosa’s disabilities from cerebral palsy, but once she does, she wants the rest of the world to see Rosa, too.
4. Romance is in the air, but not too much.  Jessica has long had a crush on Gavin, the popular, good-looking student body president.  Is he paying attention to her now out of pity, or might there be something more?
5. A bad guy (or in this case girl) who you can love to cheer against.  This racer from another school is such a sore loser that she blames her loss on Jessica’s presence at at a track meet.  Can you believe the nerve of blaming a lost race on someone who just lost a leg?  It
6. I love orphan stories (especially those involving magic), but it is refreshing to see parents in YA who are believable.  Mom and Dad love Jessica and want what’s best for her, but they are struggling with her accident as much as she is.  My favorite scene is when Mom comes home and finds Jessica upstairs by herself.
7. Teachers and coaches who can be tough and fair and even surprise their students every once in a while.
8. An amazing dog named Sherlock stays loyal to Jessica even when they can’t go on their morning run together any more.  Hey, every good story needs a good dog.
9. I’m glad to find a book that focuses on a different sport–track.  There are track meets to win and even a 10-mile race to complete.
10. The structure of the book seems backwards at first, but it fits perfectly.  The story begins at the finish line and works its way backwards through the stages of a track event until it ends at the starting line.  It works.