Keeping Pace

Keeping Pace is a heartfelt and thought-provoking middle-grade novel about two former friends, Grace and Jonah Perkins, who find themselves training for a half-marathon and questioning what truly matters in life. Grace has spent years working hard to beat Jonah's academic achievements in order to be named top scholar of the eighth grade, but when Jonah surpasses her, she feels as though none of her efforts have been worthwhile. The looming summer, with no goals or plans, leaves her feeling aimless.

In search of a new purpose, Grace signs up for a half-marathon race that she and Jonah had once talked about running together. With Jonah also participating, Grace sees this race as an opportunity to prove herself by beating him and regaining her sense of accomplishment. However, as she trains with Jonah and works through a new set of summer goals, she begins to question the true value of winning and what it means to her. Is striving to win at all costs really worth it?

Keeping Pace is an engaging and emotional story about friendship, rivalry, personal growth, and learning to fail. It explores the pressure to be the best, the complexities of relationships, and the realization that there's more to life than simply winning.