Items related to Racing the Past
Synopsis
Even though his violent, drunk father died a few months ago, Ricky and his brother are still being picked on by the kids at school. Ricky knows if he gets in one more fight at school, they'll tell his emotionally-fragile mother and maybe even suspend him. So he decides to avoid the bullies by running home instead of catching the bus. Ricky discovers that racing the bus home makes him feel free and in control for the first time. But will he ever beat the bus, and the bullies? The rest of the town is betting on it...
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Review
The Gordon family's struggles, financial and emotional, are well portrayed. The running is described at length and the depiction of Ricky's painful efforts (in dirty bare feet) is accurate and interesting. (The Independent on Sunday)
An outstanding story (The School Librarian)
the steady rhythm of the long-distance runner is the heart of this fine, tightly crafted novel. It is the story of triumph over adversity, of coming to terms with the demons from the past and in so doing achieving a sense of personal freedom and honour. (Enid Stephenson - Carousel Magazine, Summer 2003)
CHILDREN'S BOOK OF THE WEEK - 'a positive and satisfying ending.' (Coventry Evening Telegraph)
(A) hard-hitting novel . . . Strong subplots and a keen sense of family dynamics help propel the action (Publisher's Weekly)
The lonely stoicism of the long-distance runner is fact as well as metaphor in this powerful novel. (Booklist, starred review)
Best of all is the portrait of Ricky - a boy who has been forced to face adult problems for years . . . but who has enough courage and decency to keep himself afloat. (School Library Journal, starred review)
Book Description
At first, running is Ricky's way of avoiding the bullies on the school bus. With time and practice, he becomes faster and stronger. But can running every morning and evening help him to confront - and overcome - the demons of his past?
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