Track & Field – Cannonball Read 17

The sneakers don’t make the girl

Nansi Graphic Novel Volume 1 Way Off Track by Carl Brundtland

October 25, 2024 by BlackRaven 2 Comments

Nansi Graphic Novel Volume 1 Way Off Track by Carl Brundtland and Claudia Davila is a quick and cute story about running your own race and not worrying about what others have or if they are better. You just have to do your best and be better than you were. Also, we have the theme of no matter how cool they sound, shoes do not make the girl (well, I might argue that point, but certainly the sneakers in question do not make the girl […]

The Big Cheese is a Big Wheel

The Big Cheese by Jory John

August 18, 2023 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

There is a new Jory John and Pete Oswald book coming out in early November 2023. And it is a big deal. In fact, you could say it is a big wheel called The Big Cheese. Starting back in 2017 withThe Bad Seed, the themes of the Food Group books are lessons for everyone about personalities, emotions, social themes, and more. When we meet Cheese they are a big deal. They tell us they started life normal enough, but had big plans. And they achieved them. And […]

She overcame death to win Gold

Unbeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, the First Female Olympic Track Field Gold Medalist by Allison Crotzer Kimmel

October 29, 2020 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

The only thing keeping Unbeatable Betty: Betty Robinson, the First Female Olympic Track Field Gold Medalist by Allison Crotzer Kimmel from being a 5 is that it felt a little unorganized in places. However, the author has done an amazing job of telling us the story of a woman who is little known in the sports world; even though Betty Robison was literally the first woman to accomplish winning a gold medal in her sport. I was not always feeling that the “big picture” was […]

When life gives you hurdles, lead with your knee

Lu Track #4 by Jason Reynolds

April 11, 2019 by BlackRaven Leave a Comment

I have now come to the final book of Jason Reynolds’ Track series. Lu Track #4 covers the last leg of Ghost, Patina, Sunny and Lu during their time as newbies on a middle-school track and field team. It is bittersweet as I would like to know more, but also it is time to come to the finish line. We follow Lu as his changes include not being a full-time runner but is also doing the hurdles (which, of course, is a metaphor for his […]

Life is better in running shoes

Patina by Jason Reynolds.

March 18, 2019 by BlackRaven 2 Comments

Track #02 Patina is written in the signature style of Jason Reynolds. This time we look at the life of Patina, or Patty as she prefers. Due to her mother being unable to care for her and her sister, she gives custody of her daughters to her brother and sister-in-law. This brings up many issues for Patty: the biggest being, how can she care for the people she loves. She takes on a “mother roll” to her sister, her mother, her friends and forgets herself. […]

Zirza on A Gothic Classic for a ReasonIt's one of those wish-you-could-read-it-again-for-the-first-time books. I loved it.
Emmalita on “It came to something when you found yourself hoping that the footsteps you heard were ghosts.”I loved the ending! I don’t think it’s been out long enough to talk about why though.
Dixie on Track Her Down by Melinda LeighI am just starting Track Her Down and I have read them all in order till now and thought I...
Roland of Gilead on How can you give us the gift of a crazy character named Rando Thoughtful and then just as suddenly take that gift away? We need to talk, Uncle Stevie.I came across this randomly years after it was written because I was searching "Random Thoughtful. But I have the...
Emmalita on “Only you, Em, would refer to heartbreak as a distraction. I think I would have a more sympathetic response if I asked to marry a bookcase.”Oh my goodness, Gallifrey was beautiful. I’m sure her mittens were gloriously murdery.

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