Running my own Race by Abena Eyeson

This story is a little clichéd, but I imagine most young readers will not identify all the usual tropes. I have read other books like this so here is my list:

• Injustice - Poor 'black boy' finds a place in posh 'whites only' school
• Talent - The coaches immediately see this boy has great running ability
• Bullies - The kid assigned to 'help' him is an angry and jealous bully
• Underdog - Kofi is selected for the running team and yes he beats Miles (the bully)
• Excuses - We learn that Miles has some difficulties in his home life - as though this somehow excuses his dreadful behaviour
• Peer group pressure - Miles holds some power over other kids in the school and so they readily believe the rumors Miles spreads about Kofi.
• Friendship - luckily the other scholarship kid - a girl named Christine - steps in to help and encourage Kofi
• Siblings - Kofi has a terrific sister who surprises him by offering good advice and support
• Old friend - Charlie has been Kofi's friend forever but this friendship seems to be in danger now that they no longer go to the same school
• Winning the race - spoiler alert - of course Kofi wins that big race even after Miles hurts him badly and he is forced to miss many weeks of training

The only part of this story that did surprise me was the way the school fairly quickly accepted that Kofi was the victim and that the story told by Miles that Kofi hit him first was a total lie. It was good to see the school Principal accept the need for restitution and also it was good to read the scene where Coach mediates this meeting. The contrition by Miles did feel real.

Nosy Crow consistently produce good books so I was keen to dive into this one. My friend shared the books sent to her library by Pegi Williams (South Australia) from their standing order. 

I am sure the cover of Running my own race will appeal to readers who love sports. 

Publisher blurb: Kofi’s mum is determined he’s going to be ‘somebody’. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete – but he soon finds following your heart isn’t an easy road. Under pressure from his mum to make the most of his academic opportunity, his best friend who doesn’t want him to change, his community to make them proud, and a rival who will do anything to make sure Kofi doesn’t outshine him – Kofi isn’t sure where to turn. Can Kofi find a way to follow his own path?

In time, though, with help from a new friend (a fellow scholarship student), his athletics coach, and loving family, Kofi finds the courage and strength to stand up for himself and to forge his own lane. Radiant with empathy, Running My Own Race tackles big topics in a brilliantly relatable style that’ll have readers punching the air with joy after walking in Kofi’s trainers every step of the way. Love Reading 4Kids

Abena Eyeson was born in Ghana but has lived in the UK since the age of 12. She has won accolades for the FAB Prize, Jericho Prize and TLC Pen Factor. She writes picture books, educational non-fiction and has self-published YA. Abena lives just outside London with her husband and three children. It was her children that inspired her to put Black characters at the heart of her stories. Running My Own Race is her first middle grade novel. Here is an interview with the author. There are some resources on the author web page.

A better series that I have thoroughly enjoyed reading recently which has a focus on the same themes as this book - Running my own Race - are the Tracks books by Jason Reynolds.

Ghost is the first book in the series