The Running Dream (Schneider Family Book Award - Teen Book Winner) Kindle Edition

I feel like any kind of summary or review is not going to do full justice to this story, but here's my attempt. (Or just skip reading this and go use this time to go find yourself a copy and read it yourself. You'll be glad you did.)Jessica is a runner. She lives to feel the wind in her face and the thrill of crossing the finish line. So losing a foot in an accident feels like the end of the world. In fact, she sometimes wishes she could trade places with the girl who died in the accident and possibly had it easier. But in the midst of despair and grief, Jessica's family and best friend Kayley will NOT give up on her or let her wallow in grief. Once Jessica gets out of the hospital, Kayley practically drags her out of the house and back to high school, even though Jessica is scared of how people will look at her now. But being different turns out a great way to find out who really cares about the real her, like her track team that gives her an unexpected dose of hope by deciding to try and raise $20,000 for a special running leg so Jessica can someday live that running dream she has every night. And there's also Rosa, a math whiz and super wise friend who happens to have cerebral palsy, and who ashamedly, Jessica had always totally ignored before the accident. Beyond learning some important things about herself, Jessica realizes that people like Rosa and herself want to be known and loved for who they are, not for their conditions, and she decides to use the platform her accident has given her to raise awareness of this in her town.I read a lot, like about 5 books a week. And I have to say this is the best fiction book I've read all year. I had to flip to the back of the book to make sure this wasn't inspired by a true story. It reads like one. Jessica's roller coaster ride of emotions throughout the book feels so incredibly realistic for a teen facing such a situation. And the way her parents, sister, and various friends react feels very authentic as well. Van Draanen obviously did her homework. I think the power of the story is not just that Jessica overcomes her hardships with the help of an awesome community, but she uses what she learns and has been blessed with to bless others. As wonderful as her story is, when Rosa enters the picture, it goes to a whole new level of wonderful. I can't believe this hasn't been made into a movie because people would eat it up. Oh, and for those of you who cry during Hallmark movies or Hallmark card commercials, be warned you will probably need a jumbo sized box of tissues to go with this book. I managed to squeak by without using any, but only just, and I NEVER cry watching movies or reading books. I guess it goes without saying that it was very touching.Notes on content: No language issues. No sexual content beyond a kiss. No violence. The accident and Jessica's injury are not described in any gory details. Jessica does have a very brief struggle with dependence on pain meds during her recovery but her family intervenes before she becomes seriously addicted.

Jessica loves to run. She runs competitively for her school, and she runs because she loves it. When the bus that the track team is on is hit by a truck, a girl is killed and Jessica, well, Jessica loses a leg. Having a limb amputated is unbelievably hard for anyone to deal with, but when your life is running it's even worse. Jessica has to deal with caring for her stump and learning how to use a prosthesis, with stares and comments, and with losing the ability to be who she is—a runner.The track coach decides that he and the team are going to raise money for Jessica to get a running prosthesis—a cyborg looking piece of curved metal that people have—people who don't just run on them but who can now compete against the best in the world.This book is absolutely wonderful. The characters of Jessica and her best friend are extremely well done, and very realistic teenage girls. The descriptions of Jessica's experiences with her stump and learning to take care of herself, learning to walk and to deal with the stares are excellent.Heartwarming and simply a winner!

One of our granddaughters (age 11) is a remarkable young woman who currently wants to be a pediatric orthopedic surgeon. She is astonishing in her abilities and kindness. I bought this book for her, based entirely on reviews, and then got it for myself on kindle - thinking it would give us a great discussion. Frankly, even if I had just bought it for me, the reading was incredible-feeling true every step of the story. These are people I want to know, to hug, to emulate. Sometimes a book makes a difference. This one made me laugh, cry, feel joy. Jessica, Rosa-actually everyone in the book, will be hard to forget and have found a place in my heart. Hope that millions of people can share this book. When our granddaughter and I discuss it in a week or so, I will come back and do another review

My son's school put this on the required summer reading list. He hates reading, so he was not looking forward to having to read this book. We just went on vacation, and he actually chose to pack this book because he was enjoying it so much. The kid has never willingly packed a book before, so this was amazing! I'm one happy mama;)

The Running Dream is about a runner named Jessica who loses her leg and goes through months of recovery. While she is recovering, she makes new friends and starts to discover new things about herself, such as why she runs and how to accept her friends' differences. Her friends help her persevere by encouraging her, and teach her about relationships.I thought this book was interesting because it shows about something most people don't experience: losing a leg. My favorite part was when Jessica starts to run again and finally meets her dream. After the accident, she always dreams of running, so I felt proud for her when she made her dream come true.Readers will enjoy this book because they can relate to it and make connections with their own lives. It is good for middle school and up, due to the age and maturity of the characters, who are in high school. If you are a runner or an amputee, or just about anybody, you will like this book!

Read this book, whether you like to run or not. I feel like after reading this book i have a new way of looking at things. I love it when books can do that....take you on a journey and changes how you look or think about things. My middle school daughter also read this and enjoyed it but thought the first part was a bit sad. If your child reads this be on hand to talk with them about life and death. This book does not delve into the sad death part and moves on to the main characters story pretty quickly so keep reading.

I was looking for a book for my students (they're French and it would be their first book in English). Pretty good, well written.

This is such an inspiring story that I will not hesitate to pick up again and again, beautifully written - I read it in one day. Most surprisingly though it made me (someone who dislikes exercise) want to RUN!

I read this book because I was looking for a young adult novel (topic: sports) which I could read with my students (ESL, year 5) and found my winner! Simple language style, great and touching story and relatable characters. Thumbs up, great book! I enjoyed it very much and hope so will my students :-)

If you are a runner, you gonna love it whatsoever.

Good