Running on Dreams

This book tells the story of Justin, a 15-year-old boy with autism who is starting his first semester in a mainstream school, and Brad, the school track star, all-around "cool guy," and Justin's assigned "buddy." In Running on Dreams, these two middle-school boys are tossed together in a story of teenage angst, confusion, and friendship. For adolescents with autism and their neurotypical peers alike, the book is written from both Justin's and Brad's perspectives as they struggle to understand each other and themselves. Join Brad and Justin as they embark upon several teen benchmarks: the first date, rejection by peers, family pressure to succeed, fitting in with the "right" crowd, experiencing teenage sexuality, and dealing with the "outsider kid" who is perceived as "not cool." This book captures many bittersweet and humorous events that bring new insight to a familiar world - the world of heartbreak for two boys whose relationship starts out quite turbulent but evolves into a friendship of loyalty and trust.