Decent book and I admire these runners for overcoming a lot in their young lives, but the book just couldn't hold my interest. The writing was good, as was the human interest stories, but it just wasn't for me.

This written by the Author who spends 6 months following a successful high school cross country team who is located in Yakima, Washington. It is an interesting group of individuals starting with the head coach whose success with racing brings him from Ireland to run for Washington State University. After a successful college career he stays in the United States and starts coaching high school cross country racing. At the "ike" short for Eisenhower High School were it is unique being that a lot of students are latino from hardworking farm workers and single family homes. Mister the coach's nickname coaches both the boys and girls teams and has had a very successful career. For a lot of these kids it provides them with their chance to get to college.

It takes you through the training all long with high school and life struggles of the team and their efforts to make State. This was a well written book that was easy to get lost in. I would definitely recommend it even if you are not into sports.

3.5 Yakima, Washington where Eisenhower High School is known for their cross country program. Both boys and girls teams fielded winners year after year. These kids give their all, some under less than ideal life for instances. Some are the children of migrant workers, they work in the fields with their parents and then attend practices. Their commitment to their running is a way to belong, but also to make for themselves a better future.

Their coach, an Irish emigrant himself, knows the struggles of his runners. He monitors them closely. Keeps extra clothes, shoes and a refrigerator full of food to make up for whatever these kids are lacking. He cares. Not just about his team and their placements but about their health, their future plans. In return they do everything to return his faith in them.

Cross country is hard. Truly, I was getting tired just reading about some of their practices. The sports books i like are those that include an element of human interest along with the sport. This one did that admirably, chronicling some of the runners lives, their struggles and their hopes and dreams. Also some social history about the school and the program, the changing color of the student body and what this school means to those involved.

ARC from Netgalley.

This book was not what I expected. I have read other books about cross country teams. This book never caught my interest and I gave up half way through it.