Keeping Pace
by Laurie Morrison (Author)
Laurie Morrison’s Keeping Pace is a poignant middle-grade novel about friends-turned-rivals training for a half-marathon—and rethinking what it means to win and what they mean to each other.
Grace has been working for years to beat her former friend Jonah Perkins’s GPA so she can be named top scholar of the eighth grade. But when Jonah beats her for the title, it feels like none of Grace’s academic accomplishments have really mattered. They weren’t enough to win—or to impress her dad. And then the wide, empty summer looms. With nothing planned and no more goals or checklists, she doesn’t know what she’s supposed to be working toward.
Eager for something to occupy her days, Grace signs up for a half-marathon race that she and Jonah used to talk about running together. Jonah’s running it, too. 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 question what—and who—really matters to her. Is winning at all costs really worth it?
Engaging and heartfelt, Keeping Pace is about wanting to win at all costs—and having to learn how to fail.
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Kirkus
An insightful read that highlights the struggles and strides young people make toward self-awareness.
Publishers Weekly
Goal-oriented Grace Eller strives to cross everything off her to-do list during the summer between middle school and high school in this introspective novel by Morrison (Coming Up Short). Before she turns 14, Grace wants to babysit her divorced father's girlfriend's son without incident, change her hair style, take a cool class, score her first kiss, make a new friend, and run a half-marathon. Initially doubtful of her athletic ability, Grace soon finds peace and strength in her training routine. This regimen helps ground her as she navigates evolving relationships with friends new and old, feelings for childhood bestie and current rival Jonah Perkins, and changing family dynamics. As Grace comes to terms with this transitional stage of her life, she realizes that "there are all sorts of things I used to find fun.... But now, I'm not so sure." Morrison utilizes insightful prose and a steady momentum to chronicle Grace's pursuit of her goals. Her varying success and fluctuating perspectives all serve to make her feel more complete and confident, especially when she decides that "setting the pace that's right for me" is the only way to get where she wants to go. Protagonists read as white; supporting characters are racially diverse. Ages 10-14. Agent: Sara Crowe, Pippin Properties. (Apr.)
Copyright 2024 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.
Review quotes
"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"
JUV032210 - Juvenile Fiction | Sports & Recreation | Track & Field
Self-esteem
Middle schools
Running
Self-reliance
Recreation
Track and field
Competition
Novels
