The Running Dream

*The Running Dream* by Wendelin Van Draanen is a compelling young adult novel that won the Schneider Family Book Award for Teen Readers in 2012. This story revolves around Jessica, a high school track star who loses her leg in a tragic bus accident. Before the accident, she was on track to win a major race and achieve her dreams of a college scholarship. However, after the amputation, she must confront the emotional, physical, and psychological challenges of rebuilding her life.

The book follows Jessica’s journey as she struggles with her new reality, learns to walk again with a prosthetic leg, and works to reclaim her place on the track. Along the way, she discovers the strength of her friends and the support of her family. The novel explores themes of resilience, the power of determination, and the importance of finding hope in difficult times.

One of the unique aspects of *The Running Dream* is how it highlights the perspective of a young person facing a disability, offering a window into the experience of adapting to life after a major physical change. The book emphasizes the importance of friendship, self-acceptance, and believing in one’s ability to overcome obstacles, no matter how daunting they may seem.

The Schneider Family Book Award is given annually to an author whose work embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience, and *The Running Dream* fits this description through its portrayal of Jessica’s emotional and physical transformation after her accident. It has been praised for its realistic depiction of life with a disability, as well as its heartwarming and inspirational storyline.