An enjoyable read with a cliffhanger.

Book one of four (only books 1 and 2 have been translated).

Titles are the same in English and French (making it tricky to find).

Very engaging.

Plot - boy in Grade 7, 8 or 9. Grew up in a low-income neighbourhood, very ashamed of this. Walking around one day and seeing an elite track practise and realizes he’s faster than the fastest person on that team. (He beats the fastest person on the team in his basketball shoes, the coach sees him and offers him a spot on the team right away).

The first chapter we learn that the father was abusive - goes to jail (stays there throughout the novel). Explains that’s how he learned how to run: to escape his father when the father was shooting at him and his mom.

Negative stereotype reinforced: Black family in low-income housing with domestic abuse. However that’s not the entire theme in the story. It is in fact uplifting story.

Not much to discuss in terms of character analysis, no literary devices. However, great read for pleasure, that’s why recommended for Grade 9 Immersion class, maybe Grade 10 if you want to do character analysis. 

Develops relationship with the coach who takes him under his wing. 

Uplifting - as we learn the coach is from the same neighborhood as the main character but he made a life for himself.  

Good to have in the library of the school.

Classroom use:

• Leisure read for Immersion students

• Great for strong Core students

• Some characters have challenges in life that some of our students may relate to

• Thematic analysis or symbolism not possible

• Emotional analysis of the character is possible 

• Content warnings: Domestic abuse and emotional trauma