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The Running Dream Wendelin Van Draanen

about the author: Wendelin Van Draanen was born January 6, 1965 in Chicago, Illinois. Her mom taught her to read at an early age, and she has been reading ever since. She enjoys it greatly, and made up her mind at an early age that she wanted to become a writer. Her favourite genre of books is mystery, and she always gets excited when she locates a mystery book she has yet to read. Her first book was published in 1997, and after that she wrote for 10 years straight.

about the book:
 * published in 2011
 * set in modern day Chicago
 * The main situation in the book is the main character, Jessica, is a star runner on the track team at her high school. On the way back from a track meet, their bus is hit by a man without insurance. Jess loses her leg below her knee and one of her friends on the team is killed, thus the main conflict. Jess now feels like she will never do what she loves and lives for: running.

Style: Wendelin Van Draanen uses first person point of view to help the reader connect better with the main character and see her insecurities and courage clearer.

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