Run Like a Girl - by Amaka Egbe (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Dera Edwards thinks her life is over when she's shipped off to live with her estranged father in White Suburbia. But if that wasn't bad enough, Dera learns that her new school doesn't have a girls' track team, shattering her dreams of getting a track scholarship and, one day, competing in the Olympics. Not one to give up easily, Dera joins the boys' team instead. She may have the school administration's blessing, but her new teammates and classmates are less than welcoming, and her father remains frustratingly distant. Dera starts to think she's destined to be an outsider when she's approached by her classmate Rosalyn, who wants to feature Dera in her blog. Eager to gain a network of support and to spend more time with Rosalyn's gorgeous cousin Gael--who happens to be one of the few teammates who will talk to her--Dera agrees. As Dera gains attention from her classmates as well as students across the state, her new notoriety also opens the door for trolls online and at school. Paired with her deteriorating relationship with her father, Dera soon finds everything to be too much to balance. Will Dera be able to stop running from her problems, or will her dream be the very thing that derails her?"--

Book Synopsis

Dera Edwards knows her life is over when she's shipped off to live with her estranged father in the middle of White Suburbia. To make matters worse, Dera learns that her new school doesn't have a girls' track team, shattering her dreams of getting a track scholarship and, one day, competing in the Olympics.

Not one to give up easily, Dera joins the boys' team instead. But while she has the school administration's blessing, her new teammates and classmates are less than welcoming. Between that and her frustratingly distant father, Dera is positive her junior year is ruined.

Just as she starts to accept her status as an outsider, Dera's approached by her classmate Rosalyn, who wants to feature Dera's story in her blog. Eager to change the narrative and spend more time with Rosalyn's gorgeous cousin Gael--also known as one of the few teammates who will talk to her--Dera agrees.

But when she goes viral and gains attention across the state, Dera's new notoriety opens the door for trolls both online and at school. Paired with her deteriorating relationship with her father, she soon finds everything to be too much. Will Dera be able to keep outrunning her problems, or will her dream be the very thing that derails her?

Review Quotes

"Egbe's writing is exceptional, capturing the nuances of adolescence, identity, and resilience. Moving and inspirational."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review

"In this admirable debut, Egbe examines, via Dera's discerning perspective, gender in sports, racial stereotypes, bullying, and family discord."--Publishers Weekly?

"A happy ending is entirely deserved, and Egbe freshens familiar tropes with a wicked smart, firecracker of a narrator. Dera and co. are a team readers will happily spend time with."--The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Debut author Egbe presents a wonderfully written story about following one's dreams and finding a way despite the hurdles."--School Library Journal

"Egbe crafts a coming-of-age tale that will have readers rooting for Dera both on and off the track."--Booklist