The Running Dream

By: Wendelin Van Draanen

Narrated by: Laura Flanagan

The acclaimed author of Flipped delivers a powerful and healing story that’s perfect for anyone who’s ever thought that something was impossible. Listeners will revel in the story of a girl who puts herself back together - and learns to dream bigger than ever before - after she’s told she’ll never run again.

Jessica thinks her life is over when she loses a leg in a car accident. She's not comforted by the news that she'll be able to walk with the help of a prosthetic leg. Who cares about walking when you live to run?

As she struggles to cope with crutches and a first cyborg-like prosthetic, Jessica feels oddly both in the spotlight and invisible. People who don't know what to say, act like she's not there. Which she could handle better if she weren't now keenly aware that she'd done the same thing herself to a girl with CP named Rosa. A girl who is going to tutor her through all the math she's missed. A girl who sees right into the heart of her.

With the support of family, friends, a coach, and her track teammates, Jessica may actually be able to run again. But that's not enough for her now. She doesn't just want to cross finish lines herself - she wants to take Rosa with her.

©2011 Wendelin Van Draanen (P)2010 Listening Library

Critic reviews

Winner of the Schneider Family Book Award

9 year old rates this 15 stars

I don't WANT to relisten to this immediately. I NEED to relisten to this immediately.

You'll love it if you like Out of My Mind.

excellent choice for my 14-years old daughter

This is the first audible book that I listened and bought having my 14-years daughter in mind. She has been learning English for 8 years and she could perfectly understand this audio book. Our whole family listened the book and we liked it a lot. The story is very interesting and very well told and the narrator is excellent - very clear voice, expressing all sorts of emotions and characters in a different way. I prefer stories about a real life that have some deeper values and meanings in it - this book is like that. Last but not least the story begins in a sad moment of a girls life but it has a happy ending.

it was good really good good job it was amazing

I loved it so much good jod it was amazing hi hi hi hi hi

loved it

loved it it was one of the best books I have ever read you should read it

OMG Best Book Ever

This book shows that perseverance, dedication, and determination can get you anywhere you need to go this book is so empowering and I recommend it for all ages

Sad but Encouraging

I loved this book and I don't like reading... it was sad at the beginning or first half. But very accomplishing and encouraging through the whole book. I wouldn't be able to do what she did. She also went through hard problems but ends up accomplishing everything she had troubles with. I very much recommend reading this book. If you like reading or not. it has 98 Chapters but each chapter is in between 1 to 15 minutes. it took my about 1 week. but I read about 60 minutes everyday. PLEASE READ THIS BOOK IT IS WAY WORTH IT!

Great book

Great book for all ages.. Look at disabilities in whole new light!!
Kids and parents both loved!!

Good book for young people

After listening to the book for a while, I realized the target audience was teens, not adults. It's an inspiring book for young people. I did not enjoy the voices of the reader. Her male voices were the worst.

Running Dream is awesome

I loved the last chapter the best. such a great description of the feeling of struggle and elatement at the finish of a hard race.

Running amazement

Great exiting books with up and downs (and some laughs) but moves a little slow I recommend1.25 speed 99.9%recomend