This is a beautifully written story about a young girl, Jessica, who is a star track athlete. She is one of the top runners in her county and is sure to get a college scholarship, but on the way home from a track meet the bus gets in a horrible accident. One team mate is dead and Jessica is missing her leg from the knee down. Based on a true story, the tale takes you through Jessica's road to recovery both physically and mentally.
She returns to school, initially in a wheelchair, and befriends Rosa, a girl with Cerebral Palsy. Rosa's unique outlook on life, gifts Jessica. Jessica's old track team run fundraisers in an effort to help purchase a "Running Leg" for Jessica, while her family is onset with mounting bills, that the school district refuses to cover. As she becomes whole again, she devises a plan to gift Rosa with something special.
This is a very heartwarming and beautifully written story. The surprise ending will leave you with hope and inspiration. I think this a great book for anybody!
Links
Childhood Amputation
Psychological Implications of Amputation
Running Dream - video trailer - Youtube - this is a short video of the basic premise of the book "The Running Dream". Most of the video is spent building background for the main character, Jessica.
Wendelin VanDraanen - Biography - This is a brief biography of the author of "The Running Dream" developed by Scholastic.
Other Books by Wendelin VanDrannen - A list by Scholastic books of some other titles written by Wendelin VanDraanen
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