3.5 Yakima, Washington where Eisenhower High School is known for their cross country program. Both boys and girls teams fielded winners year after year. These kids give their all, some under less than ideal life for instances. Some are the children of migrant workers, they work in the fields with their parents and then attend practices. Their commitment to their running is a way to belong, but also to make for themselves a better future.

Their coach, an Irish emigrant himself, knows the struggles of his runners. He monitors them closely. Keeps extra clothes, shoes and a refrigerator full of food to make up for whatever these kids are lacking. He cares. Not just about his team and their placements but about their health, their future plans. In return they do everything to return his faith in them.

Cross country is hard. Truly, I was getting tired just reading about some of their practices. The sports books i like are those that include an element of human interest along with the sport. This one did that admirably, chronicling some of the runners lives, their struggles and their hopes and dreams. Also some social history about the school and the program, the changing color of the student body and what this school means to those involved.

ARC from Netgalley. ( )