Fast Company

Release Date: September 8, 2005

“Like he did in Wrestling Sturbridge, his novel for older readers, Wallace writes about a sport not commonly fictionalized in books for children, and he attempts to get beyond the surface of the sport by tackling some deeper issues. The book offers a multicultural cast of characters, and the emphasis is on good sportsmanship and friendly rivalry.There is enough action and plenty of play-by-play reporting of the track meets to keep even those who are not sports fans turning the pages. Manny is an appealing character, surprisingly mature for his age.” — Children’s Literature review