The Running Dream

The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen. Published by Alfred A. Knopf, 2011.

Jessica lives to run. She has loads of potential and hopes to be a track star. Coming back from a meet one day, there is a tragic accident. Jessica loses her leg and one of her teammates is killed.

As Jessica slowly recovers, she struggles to come to terms with her loss. She is athletic and adapts to the crutches fairly well. But she hates the stump and the prosthesis. Jessica’s return to school is difficult. Her friends and classmates don’t know what to say to her so some of them just ignore her. However, she finds unexpected support from Rosa, a student with cerebral palsy. Jessica can confide her worries and fears in Rosa. As Rosa encourages Jessica to achieve her dream of running, Jessica decides to help Rosa with her own dreams.