The Running Dream
Wendelin Van Draanen
****stars
In the book, The Running Dream, Jessica is a 16 year old girl who is a star at track, and was hoping to get a scholarship to college along with her friend Fiona. However, all that changes when they were coming from a successful track meet and a drunk driver rams into their bus killing one girl and crushing Jessica's leg so bad that she had to get it amputated. After a couple of days in the hospital she is finally released when doctors are convinced she can take care of her leg properly. When she finally get home she begins to shut everyone out until she realizes that she is not the only one suffering, and decides to move on with her life yet scared at the same time. When Jessica comes back to school she is completely overwhelmed with homework and almost doesn't pass math until she meets Rosa who not only helps her understand math, but helps Jessica realize that her life is not over. With this new realization, Jessica must rethink what she wants to do with her life since she can't run anymore. Or can she? Read this gripping story and find out not only what happens to Jessica, but what she does for Rosa as a thank you for everything.
I thought this book was going to be quite predictable, but my was I wrong. It took a completely different turn and I loved every second of it and because of that I gave this book four stars. Wedelin Van Draaen keeps the readers attention in this story and makes you not want to put the book down for any reason at all. So if you like reading books about tragedy and overcoming it, then The Running Dream is definitely for you.
