By Wendelin Van Draanen

What if you couldn’t do that thing you’ve been doing forever? That thing you were good at, that thing that made your life meaningful? What if it was taken away in an instant? What would you do?

Jessica is a runner. A 400m runner. And she’s good. She can run a 400 in 55 seconds. And then, it’s all over.

When the bus gets hit by a truck Jessica loses more than her leg. She loses her identity. She can’t even walk anymore or do most things for herself. When she gets a prosthetic, it’s hard. Nothing feels like it used to. People look at her differently. But so does she.

Losing her leg changes her perspective. She meets people she wouldn’t meet otherwise. She meets Rosa, a girl who never even got the chance to run. And as Jessica comes back and finds strength again, she has to decide what she’s going to take with her over the finish line.

I first read this book in 6th grade when I was a runner, but not a very dedicated or strong one. I’ve read it multiple times since then and every time it resonates with me more, especially after also experiencing injury (though in no way as bad as Jessica’s). It’s a very powerful story that everyone, not just athletes, should be able to relate to.

General Stats:

• Genre: Sports
• Standalone
• Age: 6th grade and above
• My rating:  ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆