The New York Times Book Review - Tom Rinaldi
…the story has a winning momentum, to go with its pleasing evocations of the symphony of running. Asher's fine descriptions—of feet on the track, of an uphill run, of pushing beyond one's initial limits—are a call to get off the couch and onto the road.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
"Asher is honest about the ways in which Joseph’s condition sometimes affects his performance at school, but she’s also attentive to how his sensitivities enable him to experience his environment—the feel of the squishy new track surface, the air rushing past him when he runs, the colors of the woods along the course."
Booklist
"An entertaining mix of events, conversations, anxieties, and reflections, Joseph’s first-person narrative engages readers on page one and never lets up...Justice is sweet when bullies get their comeuppance in this rewarding first novel."
The Horn Book
"They come to count on each other as they race for the same goal: doing their personal best...natural-sounding narrative with a good amount of humor."
School Library Journal
06/01/2017
Gr 4–6—Joseph, a boy with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and anxiety, joins his school's cross-country team and finds his footing. On the first day of school, he meets Heather, a new student, when she puts the school bully, a constant source of misery in Joseph's life, in his place. Joseph is convinced to join the cross-country team by a teacher and is surprised to discover Heather is also on the team. While running does not come easily, Joseph develops a connection to Heather, who also feels isolated. Their unlikely friendship blossoms as Joseph attempts not to win but to run his "PR" (personal record). The characters in Asher's debut novel are likable and approachable, and the story is absorbing and moves quickly. Readers will root for Joseph and his new teammates. The protagonist's worries seem typical for a kid his age, though he has a lot more of them than most children. However, Joseph's diagnoses are problematic. He specifically says he has ADD but not attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), but the medical community currently categorizes ADD as a form of ADHD. Joseph also explains that his school psychologist diagnoses him with "anticipatory anxiety." In real life, a trained psychologist would offer Joseph strategies or tools to manage his anxiety, but save for one misunderstood instruction to keep a "worry list," none are mentioned in the text. Readers familiar with the challenges of living with ADD or anxiety disorders are likely to find Joseph's ability to overcome his issues unrealistic. VERDICT An engaging novel with an oversimplified portrayal of mental illness.—Mary Kuehner, Arapahoe Library District, CO
Kirkus Reviews
2017-05-01
Joseph, white and Jewish, has ADD, is clumsy and phobic, and seems to be a magnet for middle school bullies.Heather, the new girl, is white, very tall, and athletically gifted. They may seem an odd pair, but they share a common problem: they don't fit in. At the urging of his Resource Room teacher, Joseph joins the new cross-country team right along with Heather—the one most likely a last-place finisher of races and the other the almost-certain winner. But each needs support that the other provides. Heather is dealing with an unengaged mother who is on an extended trip to Hawaii, leaving her feeling rejected and vulnerable (although perhaps a bit more than might be expected of such a seemingly grounded girl). Joseph long ago decided to take the path of least resistance to life's many hardships (and bullies.) As he says, "They multiply, and they find you, and they always, always win." He's pretty surprised by Heather's willingness to fight back, especially when she punches his worst tormentor. Joseph's first-person voice is fresh and authentic, and his character arc is immensely satisfying. Persevering because Heather inspires him to, eventually he begins to learn some valuable lessons on living in his own skin even as he challenges himself to be more than he thought he could be. Joseph's journey turns out to be an amazing and deeply rewarding transformation. (Fiction. 10-14)
