Wolfpack - by Natalie Shaw Evjen (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Winner of the 2024 Leapfrog Global Fiction Prize for Young Adult Fiction

Cat and Josie belong to different worlds, but they share a lifeline - their small town's high school cross country team. Can they set aside their differences to do what's best for their teammates - and themselves?

Cat Shultz needs a fresh start. After spending several months at an eating disorder treatment facility, she comes home to the realities of her older sister leaving for college, her best friend growing distant, and the stress of sophomore year looming. When an unlikely invitation lands her a spot on Plain City High School's cross country team, Cat discovers a natural talent for long distance running, and what she hopes is a step toward recovery. The only problem? She'll have to lie - to her parents, her team, and ultimately herself.

Josie Romero lives for cross country. When Coach Davis - the closest thing she has to a father - announces this will be his last season, she believes a championship win against their rivals will convince him to stay. As team captain, Josie has always fiercely supported her teammates, but when Cat challenges her spot as the fastest runner, Josie must confront her own insecurities in order to become the leader they deserve.

As the championship race approaches, conflicts arise on and off the course, and suddenly winning feels less likely than ever. When Cat can no longer outrun her lies, Josie finds herself racing for something much more important than the finish line.

Wolfpack is a heartwarming tale of healing, hope, and learning that you always go farthest if you run as a pack.

Review Quotes

"Sweat, determination and hard work pack the pages of this book. Readers will be racing to turn the page." - Becca Barnes, award-winning author and producer of the "Power Rangers"

About the Author

Natalie Shaw Evjen is passionate about storytelling that builds bridges. She writes about faith, health, motherhood, and adolescence. She has a passion for sports, and Wolfpack was largely inspired by her experiences as a competitive long distance runner as a teen and young adult. Her stories and poems have appeared in various literary journals and received several awards, including 2nd prize in the Mari Sandoz/Prairie Schooner short story contest. Professionally, she teaches humanities and creative writing to secondary students, utilizing both a B.S. in history from Utah State University and an M.A. in English from Weber State University. When she's not writing or teaching, she is spending time with her family, gardening, or playing the piano. She has lived in Georgia, Virginia, and Nebraska, but was raised and currently resides in Ogden, Utah with her husband, kids, and mischievous house rabbits.