Running My Own Race

This was a fantastic book about dreams, bonding, and bravery. I enjoyed the theme of moving school, and how Kofi gets closer to his dream, and standing up for himself. I rate this book 5 stars!

A great book about a character who succeeded against the odds in running. A hilarious mother and positive messages. Diverse and contemporary.

I really liked who he stood up for himself.

It shows an eleven year old black boy called Kofi going to a posh school that no one else in his hometown ever dreamt of going to. Kofi loves running but his Mum does not approve to it and says he is wasting the opportunity. Will Kofi follow his dream or listen to what Mum wants him to do?

This book made me feel happy because it has a good ending. I enjoyed this book because Kofi achieved what he wanted to in life. I would recommend this book because it is fun to read as he had a new venter in a new school with new friends. This book is a must read because you can learn something from it.

I will rate this book an 8 out of 10 and would recommend it for ages 9 to 10 . I have learned that you will never know what some people are going through.

Loved it so cute and athletic

i Liked how he was determined and didnt inow what to do but his friend was encouraging him

It shows u to never and I mean never ever give up no matter how hard

I like this book and it shows determination and teaches you to work hard

Amazing , Inspiring !

I love this book because it teaches me to always work hard

I love this book because it encourages me a lot because I want to create my own running curiae as well.

he’s going to be ‘somebody’. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete – but he soon finds following your heart isn’t easy

Kofi dream of being an athletic

A fantastic read for UKS2. It would be a great book to read out loud as there are lots of themes to discuss - fitting in, bullying, following your dreams.
Highly recommended

Running My Own Race by Abena Eyeson is an inspiring story about a young boy finding confidence and self-belief through running. It explores themes of resilience, identity, and determination, showing how challenges can be overcome with perseverance and support. The book highlights the importance of staying true to yourself and pushing forward, no matter what obstacles appear.

What a fantastic book from a debut author. A wonderful middle grade that tackles racism and bullying as part of a story full of believable events and well written characters

📚 Running My Own Race 📚
By @lookingup_ab
Published by @nosycrow 2025

This is an incredible coming of age story. Ideal for those children transitioning from Y6-Y7.

Kofi has earnt a scholarship to his local private school; something that just doesn't happen to children in his area. But when Kobi arrives in September, things just don't go to plan. He is the only black child at school, everyone avoids him and a bully starts to pick on him.

Kofi experiences isolation, loneliness, racism and bullying in his new school. Whilst contending with all of this, he also has to hide his love for athletics from his mum. Kofi knows that his mum would be disappointed if he put his energy into running rather than academics.

Will Kofi learn to adapt to his new surroundings? Will Kofi stand up for himself and defeat the bully? Will he get his mum to understand his dream?

I'm always extremely skeptical of a story with sport as a key focus as they can become formulaic and you predict the ending way to quickly. But this book is so far beyond all of that! The story throws up really interesting questions about the class system that is still rife in the UK and how the representation at private schools is virtually non-existent. Racism is tackled head on here and the author has not shied away from giving the brutal reality faced by many young black people in the UK.

The family dynamic is fascinating. Kofi's mum clearly wants the best for him, but watching her come to understand his love of athletics is beautiful.

I shed a few tears at the end of this story! Definitely one to read this summer and to share with your Y6 classes in particular.

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