Running Full Tilt [Paperback]

A fast-paced convincing drama of a young runner whose legs circle him back to the many conflicts he is trying to escape. —Jack Gantos, Newbery Medal-winning author of Dead End in Norvelt

An honest and sensitive debut that memorably captures a teen runner’s relationship with his brother and his brother’s experience of autism

Like many siblings, Leo and Caleb have a complicated relationship. But Caleb's violent outbursts literally send Leo running. When the family is forced to relocate, Leo tries to settle into a new school, joining the cross-country team and discovering his talent for racing and endurance for distance. 

Things begin to look up for Leo when he befriends Curtis, a potential state champion who teaches Leo strategy and introduces him to a girl named Mary. But Leo's stability is short-lived as Caleb escalates his attacks on his brother, resentful of his sports success and new friendships.

Leo can't keep running away from his problems. But, with a little help from Curtis and Mary, he can appreciate his worth as a brother and his own capacity for growth, both on and off the field.By the time Leo is a junior, his family has moved three times due to his older brother, Caleb, who has autism and other cognitive disabilities. Leo has grown accustomed to his brother’s lower functioning behavior, but Caleb is now prone to attacking Leo physically for unknown reasons. Leo literally starts long-distance running to get away from Caleb. The exercise soothes Leo, and it gives Caleb time to cool down. When Leo starts his new school, he signs up for cross-country track and finds friendship and guidance from senior team member Curtis and Coach Gorsky, as well as romance with Mary, an art student. The exhilaration of running and his social outlets balance his homelife, where Caleb constantly yells a litany of qulÃ