A Reason to Run - by Mike Magluilo (Paperback)

About the Book

"A gripping, highly nostalgic dive into a decade and a high school sport."

-Kirkus Reviews

Book Synopsis

Silver, Young Adult Fiction, 2024 IPNE Award

For fans of Jeff Zentner, John Green, Matthew Quick, and sports fiction classics like Once a Runner, Vision Quest, The Rider, and Breaking Away.

Set in 1980s suburban Chicago, A Reason to Run is a thrilling and heartwarming coming-of-age story about a teenage boy who learns how to live after a tragic accident nearly ends his life.

Days before his senior year of high school, a violent bicycling accident destroys Sam Bagliarello's plans to escape the isolation of his hometown and his family's battles with substance abuse, mental illness, and financial ruin. When Sam starts running as physical therapy, he discovers an exceptional natural talent, a new form of escape, and an opportunity to heal his broken body along with the broken relationships in his life.

A Reason to Run offers a vivid take on recovery from tragedy, the intensity of competitive running, and a teen's revelation that somewhere in the messiness of life is the stuff that matters.

Review Quotes

"A gripping, highly nostalgic dive into a decade and a high school sport."

-Kirkus Reviews

"A Reason to Run is a captivating coming-of-age story that transports readers back to the 1980s with its vivid blend of music, nostalgia, and youthful exuberance...a thrilling and inspiring tale that captures a specific moment in time with incredible accuracy and heart. A must-read for anyone who loves a good underdog story!"

-Erik Lindsay, screenwriter of American Pie: The Naked Mile, American Pie: Beta House, and Last Call

"Mike Magluilo's novel navigates the challenges of family, friendship, and aspirations while underscoring the spirit of resiliency and repair. Exceptionally well-written with characters that are complex, flawed, and very human, A Reason to Run flows effortlessly and clearly to a finish line that is as exhilarating as the races run by its main character. There's much to love about this book, and much that will remain with readers long after the final page is turned."

-Greg Fields, award-winning author of Through the Waters and the Wild