Skip to main content

Ultra

By

Ultra
by David Carroll
Scholastic Canada, 2013.  192 pgs.  Fiction

      Ultra came seemingly out of nowhere to take the Cybils' award for best middle grade fiction this year.  Actually, it came from Canada and is difficult to find in the United States, but it is worth the effort.  Quinn is a runner, but not just any kind of runner.  His unusually large heart and his body's "inefficiency" at making lactic acid allow him to run much longer than others without tiring, somethine he discovered while running with his father, a seasoned runner whom he left in the dust.  Now he is running an ultramarathon--a hundred mile race that must be completed in 24 hours.  For some reason his father is no longer with the family, so his mother, his little brother Ollie, and his best friend Kneecap see him off at the starting line.  Framed with a television interview that takes place after the race, Quinn's story takes him from start to finish through bear scares, blistered feet, friendship from unlikely sources, and betrayal from others.  After many miles he begins to hallucinate and is joined by his father who may be real, or not. Quinn's journey is not just a physical one as he comes to terms with a great sorrow in his family's life, with his own fears and expectations, and with his need to prove himself to himself. Best suited for sixth grade on up, Ultra is a stirring story of triumph against long odds.  Highly recommended for reluctant tween readers.

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Ms. Yingling saidā€¦
I do so wish this were more widely available. It is so good, and I'd love about three hard cover copies in my library! Maybe Scholastic US will pick it up!
May 23, 2014 at 3:57ā€ÆAM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Review: Faker

By
Faker By Gordon Korman New York: Scholastic Press, 2024. Fiction. 214 pages. 12-year-old Trey is used to starting over at a new school -- he has the routine perfectly memorized: make new friends, introduce his dad to the wealthy parents of his new friends, and "Houdini" themselves out of there before they get caught running their latest scam. Trey's dad is a master con artist, and Trey has just been promoted to full-partner. Their new scheme for the next big score brings them to the affluent suburb of Boxelder, TN where Trey's dad has cooked up a fake electric car company for investors to buy into. The only problem is that Trey is starting to grow tired of moving around and never putting down roots, especially after forming a fast friendship with Logan and developing a crush on Kaylee, a socially conscious girl in his class. As Trey longs for a normal life, is there any way he can convince his dad to get out of the family business? Gordon Korman is a perennial favorit...
Post a Comment
Read more

You Need to Read: Percy Jackson

By
I was a kid myself when  The Lightning Thief  by Rick Riordan was published, and it didn't take long for the Percy Jackson series to take the world by storm. Being the son of a Poseidon, Percy Jackson has some unique challenges as a half-blood. Here's some books that I think could've helped Percy when he was on his adventures trying to save the world: Greeking Out: Heroes and Olympians Written by Kenny Curtis and Jillian Hughes Illustrated by Javier Espila Washington D.C.: National Geographic, 2024. Informational. 191 pages. Percy, I know Chiron did a good job teaching you about mythology in Latin class, but this book is sure to be good to have on hand while you're traveling across the United States. Greeking Out  is written in a kid-friendly voice with vivid illustrations and a sometimes-snarky tone (much like Percy himself). It also presents real-life creatures and places along with the information about Greek mythology. The Homework Squad's ADHD Guide to School S...
Post a Comment
Read more

If You Like...Ladybugs

By
Spring is almost upon us! We'll have more rain instead of snow, flowers will start blooming, and more bugs will be out. Ladybugs are some of the prettiest insects--and the least intimidating for those more wary of bugs. If you like ladybugs, check out these books! Ladybugs Do Not Go to Preschool Written by Ali Rutstein Illustrated by NinĢ‹a Nill Richmond, VA: Bright Light, 2024. Picture Book. Ravi loves ladybugs--he eats aphids instead of cornflakes for breakfast, brushes his mandibles instead of teeth, and has a ladybug costume complete with wings and antennae. He is certain that ladybugs don't have to go to preschool, and when Mom says that Ravi still has to go to school, he is nervous. However, thanks to Mom's patience and gentle encouragement, Ravi makes some new friends and realizes that preschool might be a good place for ladybugs after all. A Perfect Spot By Isabelle Simler Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2022. Picture Book. A ladybug is ready to ...
Post a Comment
Read more