KEEPING PACE is an upper middle grade book. The engaging plot is just right for those readers not quite ready for a full blown jump into YA.

Thirteen-year-old Grace is an achievement oriented girl who strives to become the top scholar in her final year of middle school. She wants to beat her former best friend Jonah, but at graduation she finds out he beat her my a fraction of point. So much for impressing her divorced dad who doesn’t spend as much time with Grace anymore.

Summer is next and she has no plans or goals, and it bothers Grace immensely. But then she signs up for a half marathon that she and Jonah always talked about doing. Maybe she can beat him in this race. They eventually train together and Grace soon wonders whether winning is all that important and who is most important in her life.

Grace’s first person narration is full of internal and external conflict. It’s the type of thoughts kids often have but can’t express. The supporting cast of characters shine including older sister Celia, their parents, cousin Avery, and Jonah. Each brings a different personality that is often helpful, but also confusing at times for Grace.

Training for a long distance race is a great centerpiece and runners of all types will feel bonded to the main character. The 34 chapters flow effortlessly, and as Grace turns 14 before High School begins, there is an innocent first kiss and some teasing about making out. It’s all handled appropriately for readers at middle school age.

KEEPING PACE is a heartfelt, winning addition to the MG shelves.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: APRIL 9, 2024 PAGE COUNT: 304

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FIVE MORE THINGS TOP LIKE ABOUT: KEEPING PACE by Laurie Morrison

1. The past, present, and future come together in wonderful fashion. There’s a tree house, fulfilling a summer list of goals, and the soon beginning of High School.
2. Kids will often choose books with older characters as kind of a window to their own future. Having Grace as an 8th grader provides a much needed age group for 6th and 7th graders to enjoy.
3. Cross Country running gets full exposure for those already racing and for individuals considering this sport. The training needed is outlined in great detail.
4. The trauma of divorce and the death of a parent are expertly portrayed by the effected characters.
5. Middle school is full of not only frustrations but also times when you begin to figure things out. Having that light bulb come on is a necessary part of growing up and handled here beautifully.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Laurie Morrison is the coauthor of Every Shiny Thing and the author of Up for Air, Saint Ivy, and Coming Up Short.  Her next book, Keeping Pace, comes out from Abrams/Amulet Books on April 9, 2024. Laurie’s books have received starred reviews and been chosen as Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selections and finalists for state award lists. She holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she lives with her family in Philadelphia, PA, where she teaches middle school language arts.

(For more about Laurie, visit her author website)

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