
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.
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Sign in to write a reviewMemories of physical abuse and several school-yard fights.
The book deals directly with domestic abuse and its lingering psychological effects. It is a secular approach to grief. The resolution is realistic and hopeful: Ricky doesn't 'fix' his life, but he gains the agency to move forward.
A middle-schooler who feels 'labeled' by their family's reputation or who is struggling with the conflicting emotions of losing an abusive or difficult parent.
Parents should be aware of descriptions of past physical abuse (beatings). It’s a book that benefits from a 'check-in' halfway through to discuss how Ricky is handling his anger. A parent might notice their child becoming increasingly aggressive at school or withdrawing because they feel no one understands the 'real' version of their home life.
Younger readers (10) will focus on the 'sports' aspect and the triumph over bullies. Older readers (13-14) will better grasp the nuance of Ricky's complicated feelings toward his deceased father.
Unlike many grief books that focus on a 'perfect' lost loved one, this book bravely tackles the relief and guilt that comes when a 'bad' person dies.
Eleven-year-old Ricky’s father recently died in a car accident, but Ricky isn't just sad: he’s relieved, angry, and ashamed. His father was a violent man, and the community's perception of the 'accident' doesn't match Ricky's lived reality. Facing relentless bullying on the bus, Ricky decides to stop riding and start running. He begins a daily ritual of racing the bus to school, a physical challenge that evolves into a path toward self-respect and emotional processing.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.