Judy DaPolito (Children's Literature)
Nine short stories highlight Ron’s life from sixth grade through senior year. He moves from sneaking under the fence to watch a high school football game with a buddy, to winning a state championship race while his family and the girl he’s dating watch. In between, we see him learn teamwork on a summer league basketball team and in track practices and meets. One story shows his nostalgic love and respect for his late grandfather, and others touch briefly on the breakup of his parents’ marriage and his older brother’s problems. When he’s about to enter eighth grade, he humiliates himself with girls at the county fair because he’s too young and inexperienced. A few years later, he fails again when he’s attracted to a girl in his summer workshop for creative teens, but this time it’s because he moves too fast. By the time of the title story, which details his preparation for and winning of the race that matters most to him, he has matured in his attitude toward other people and his ability to discipline himself to reach his own goals. 2003, Laurel-Leaf Books/Random House Children’s Books, $5.99. Ages 12 to 16.