But they are also four kids chosen for an elite middle school track team-a team that could qualify them for the Junior Olympics if they can get their acts together. Four kids from wildly different backgrounds with personalities that are explosive when they clash. Patina is heartfelt, gutsy, and downright true to life.Ī newbie to the track team, Patina must learn to rely on her teammates as she tries to outrun her personal demons in this follow-up to the National Book Award finalist Ghost by New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds. There are plenty to choose from with 17 others on this track team.It’s not necessary to have read GHOST before reading this one, but you’ll feel cheated if you don’t. Again we’ll have to wait for the results until the next young track star takes over the narration in book #3. This story continues the pattern of ending each book in the series with a race. She’s full of conflict, both in protecting her younger sister Maddy and in the new challenges facing her. For Patina, it’s the loss of her father, her mother’s battle with diabetes, and living with an aunt and uncle. Sure, this is about running, but it’s also about the struggles children often have when their family situation bring challenges.

She takes over the narration and her story is every bit as heartbreaking. In this unique series, the baton is now passed onto Patina “Patty ” Jones, another member of the elite track team. It ended with Ghost running in his first big race.

The story continues for the CYBIL’s Middle Grade Fiction winning entry from last year, GHOST.

Patina by Jason Reynolds