The Running Dream

The Running Dream

Publisher

Knopf Books for Young Readers

Publication Year

2011

ISBN

9780375866678

Pages

352 pages

Genre

realism

Format

novel

Item Type

Fiction

Annotation

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 with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself 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.

Grade Level

6-8; 9-12

Lexile Measure

HL650L

Diversity Topics

Health & Disability; Developmental disability; Physical disability; cerebral palsy; acquired limb difference/amputation; mobility; wheelchair user

Main Character

female teenager

Race/Ethnicities

Undetermined

Awards

Beehive Book Award, 2013, Winner, Young Adult
Cybils Awards, 2011, Nominee, Fiction Young Adult
Dorothy Canfield Fisher Children's Book Award, 2013, Winner
Golden Sower Award, 2012, Winner, Young Adult
Goodreads Choice Award, 2011, Nominee, Young Adult Fiction
Lamplighter Award, 2013, Honor Book, General Fiction
Louisiana Young Readers' Choice Award, 2014, Honor, Grades 6-8
Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award, 2014, 3rd Place, Division II
Schneider Family Book Award, 2012, Winner, Teen
South Carolina Junior Book Award, 2014, Winner, General Fiction
Truman Readers Award, 2013, 3rd Place

Keywords

accident; running; track; recovery; amputee; loss; love; friendship; tragedy

Diversity Impact

indirect

The Running Dream

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