The Running Dream

As the sixteen-year-old protagonist of the novel, first-person-narrator Jessica Carlisle is a star track team athlete who has lost her leg in a tragic accident. Faced with an identity crisis and the loss of an activity that both defined her and gave her purpose, Jessica must come to terms with her tragic loss and find a way to start over. With the help of her family, doctors, and teammates, she learns to walk again with the use of a regular prosthetic. With her specialized running prosthetic, Jessica is able to run again. While physically healing, she addresses her mental state, and with inspiration from Rosa, a classmate stricken with cerebral palsy, Jessica finds the means by which to overcome her past and redefine who she is and what she stands for.

Fiona is Jessica’s best friend, confidante, and fellow track teammate. From the very beginning of Jessica’s journey, Fiona is at her side, providing a wealth of positivity and strength. She never doubts what her friend is capable of, even when Jessica thinks the worst of herself. It is Fiona who is the creative and driving force behind the fundraising for Jessica’s prosthetics, and it’s Fiona who leads the way in the creation of Team Rosa.