• Age: 9 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7
• Reading age: 9 to 12

Everyone expected Leon Kline, anchor for the 4x100 sprint relay, to secure Gilburn High's spot in the record books.

But a freak accident on the final stretch changes everything. Suddenly his future is gone. No more running, no scholarship, no college. But then he meets sassy and straight-talking Casey De Vries, and life doesn't look quite so bleak. She even gets him running again. He can't sprint anymore, but he can handle longer distances. As he gets to know Casey better, he realizes that something is not quite right. How can he help her if she won't tell him what’s going on?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading level book for middle-grade readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read!

Sonya Spreen Bates' profile page

• Commended, CCBC Best Books for Kids & Teens

Sonya Spreen Bates is the author of several books for children and young adults, including Off the Rim and Topspin in the Orca Sports series. She grew up in Victoria, British Columbia, and has spent many years working with children with communication disorders, often writing her own stories to use in therapy. She lives in Australia with her family.

"Sports fans will be drawn to the book by it's subject matter. The fully developed characters and story line packs a punch."

School Library Journal (SLJ)

"Spreen Bates deftly takes the reader through the ups and downs of growing up. She expertly portrays real life struggles without making them too clich&eacute. Moreover, in Leon Kline, we have found a character for whom the reader is willing to root."

CM: Canadian Review of Materials

"This is a solid book with contemporary themes and it works well…Leon is well fleshed out as a character."

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