The Running Dream

Wendelin Van Draanen

Random House Children's Books, Jan 11, 2011 - Juvenile Fiction - 336 pages

Winner of the 2012 Schneider Family Book Award

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.


From the Hardcover edition.

What people are saying

Review: The Running Dream

User Review  - Jessica J. - Goodreads

The Running dream is a fantastic book, I loved it! Being a runner myself it seemed like a book that I would enjoy and I was right. The author, Wendelin Van Draanen, is a great author as far as I can ...

Review: The Running Dream

User Review  - Samantha - Goodreads

Jessica is a runner. A track star. She lives to run. Then an uninsured truck plows into the side of the school bus the track team is traveling on and Jessica loses her right leg. Her running dream is ...

About the author

WENDELIN VAN DRAANEN recently ran her first marathon. She was struck by the people with physical handicaps who were also running and was inspired to write this book about overcoming adversity with courage and grace and strength.


From the Hardcover edition.

Bibliographic information

• Title: The Running Dream
• Author: Wendelin Van Draanen
• Publisher: Random House Children's Books, 2011
• ISBN: 0375966676, 9780375966675
• Length: 336 pages
• Subjects: Juvenile Fiction / Health & Daily Living / Daily Activities; Juvenile Fiction / Health & Daily Living / General; Juvenile Fiction / School & Education; Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Friendship; Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Special Needs; Juvenile Fiction / Sports & Recreation / General