Keeping Pace

(Hardback)

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Description

Grace Eller has spent most of middle school working toward one goal: beating her former friend Jonah Perkins's GPA so she can be the best student in her class. But when Jonah beats her for eighth grade top scholar and then announces he's switching schools for ninth grade, it feels like none of Grace's academic accomplishments have really mattered. They weren't enough to win-or to impress her dad. And the summer looms over her head. With nothing planned and no more goals or checklists, she doesn't know what she's supposed to be working toward. Eager for a chance to even the score with Jonah, she signs up for the Labor Day half-marathon that she and Jonah used to talk about running together someday. Maybe if she can beat Jonah on race day, she'll feel OK again. But as she begins training with Jonah and checking off a new list of summer goals, she starts to expand her ideas of what-and who-really matters. Engaging and heartfelt, Keeping Pace is about wanting to win at all costs-and having to learn how to fail.

Reviews

This well-paced novel is a balm for readers who may be struggling with senses of self that are narrowly defined by grades or athletic performance...An insightful read that highlights the struggles and strides young people make toward self-awareness. * Kirkus *
The novel provides much-needed space to reflect on (family) dynamics, but the story is less about Grace figuring out her relationship with her dad than it is about figuring out her relationship with herself . . . its through running that she gradually acknowledges her intrinsic self-worth, recognizing that its OK to just be. * Booklist *

Author Bio

Laurie Morrison taught middle school for ten years before writing Every Shiny Thing, her middle-grade debut with co-author Cordelia Jensen. She is also the author of Up for Air, Saint Ivy, and Coming Up Short. She received her MFA in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. She lives in Philadelphia.