Racing the Past

Reach for this book when your child is struggling with complicated grief or the aftermath of a difficult family dynamic, especially if they are expressing their pain through anger or physical outbursts. Eleven-year-old Ricky is processing the death of his father, but his grief is messy because his father was abusive. Haunted by memories of violence and targeted by school bullies, Ricky finds an unconventional outlet by racing the school bus on foot. It is a raw, realistic look at how physical movement can help a child outrun their past and reclaim their future. This story is best suited for middle-grade readers who need to see that healing is a process of endurance, not a quick fix. It offers a powerful template for turning internal turmoil into external strength.