Run

July 1, 2017

Gr 5-8-Lionel is a teen trying his best to be invisible. Retreating into video games is Lionel's only escape from the anxiety, depression, and self-doubt that come from being bullied by classmates at school and by his mother's boyfriend at home. Lionel starts running, and his life begins to change for the better. He engages with others in the community, meets a girl, and takes pride in discovering that he's good at something. The more comfortable Lionel feels in his own skin, the more he inspires and transforms those around him. Although the novel could be criticized for simplifying mental illness for the sake of happy endings, Lionel's voice is authentic, occasionally heartbreaking, and sincere. Secondary characters, such as Lionel's mother and his crush Kiana, sometimes feel like props to further Lionel's story as opposed to fully fleshed out characters with motivations of their own. The narrative ends on an uplifting note, which gives the impression that the pride, sense of community, and self-worth that come with running are more important than winning any race. VERDICT Appropriate for reluctant middle grade readers, this title may provide comfort and inspiration to kids who struggle with fitting in and finding their own voice. An additional purchase.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH

Copyright 2017 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

June 15, 2017
Thirteen-year-old Lionel has perfected the art of dodging, escaping, and running away. But while he may have adapted his behavior as a means of self-preservation, his plan has left him lonely, angry, and afraid.Isolated by his weight and shyness, Lionel's anger only intensifies as he endures bullying at school and at home. Whether it is the alpha boy at school's constant chirping about how fat he is or his mother's boyfriend's comments about his IQ, Lionel finds himself constantly apologizing. By accident, Lionel starts running. Even though he has no confidence, he meets others who seem to believe in him, and his gradual transformation begins inspiring others to make changes in their own lives. Lionel even gains the attention of the most beautiful girl in middle school. But will his low self-esteem continue to control him, or will he be able to run without running away? Lionel's stumbling steps will be an inspiration for anyone looking to start down a new path. And while his transformation may be a little too tidy, his selflessness and generosity make this about more than one individual. Multiple cultures--Indian, black, Latinx, and white--all coexist in Lionel's neighborhood, making this story an inclusive one; though Lionel's race is not specified in the text, the cover photo of a white boy is likely to cause readers to see him as such. Lionel's determination to go the distance will inspire others to take their marks. (Fiction. 10-14)

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