Books Like Running Rivals
Families who loved Running Rivals by Jake Maddox often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Families who loved Running Rivals by Jake Maddox often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is struggling to celebrate a friend's success or feeling overshadowed by a peer's new talent. It is a common growing pain for children to feel that a friend's victory somehow diminishes their own standing, and this story provides a safe space to explore those complicated feelings. The plot follows best friends Amy and Chloe, whose relationship is tested when Chloe suddenly becomes the star of the track team, leaving Amy feeling jealous and left behind. At 72 pages, this is an accessible chapter book perfect for developing readers in elementary school. It goes beyond the mechanics of sports to address the internal struggle of shame that comes with being a 'sore loser' or a jealous friend. Parents will appreciate how it models healthy communication and the realization that competition does not have to come at the expense of connection. It is an excellent tool for normalizing the messy emotions of middle-grade friendships.
