The Running Dream
By Wendelin Van Draanen (Alfred A Knopf, 2011)
Young Adult Fiction [Y-A Fic VanDr]
Reviewed by: Jessica L.
The Running Dream by Wendlin Van Draanen is an emotional story about a teenage runner named Jessica. Jessica is in love with running. So when she loses her leg in a bus accident she is completely devastated and thinks her joyous days of running are over. Throughout her recovery, which has its highs and its lows, Jessica’s family, coach, teammates, and new friends encourage her until Jessica begins to hope that she will be able to run again.
The chapters are usually very short, and the book is divided into five parts, each of which corresponds to a part of a race. It’s about being strong, appreciating what you have, and seeing the person, not the condition. The book begins in anger and despair but ends in radiant hope, because as Jessica’s friend Rosa tells her, the finish line is “also the starting line” (page 214), opening up a world of wonderful possibilities.
I rate it 4 out of 5 bookmarks.
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