Breathe, Annie, Breathe

Gr 9 Up—Despite her intense dislike of running, Annie hopes to complete Nashville's Music City Marathon to honor her track boyfriend, Kyle, who died in an accident. The six months of intense training leading up to the event are transformative for her. She connects with her trainer's brother, Jeremiah, a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie. Despite knowing that she "needs white bread, not hot sauce," the feelings between Annie and Jere are something that neither of them can resist. And while she will always hold a special place in her heart for Kyle, through reflection she begins to relieve herself of guilt surrounding his death and come to terms with the fact that "life is one big what-if" and "anything can happen, anything, anytime, to anyone, [so] we have to live now." Kenneally does a good job of building readers' curiosity surrounding the circumstances of Kyle's death, not providing the exact details of the accident until the very end. As word of Annie's marathon ambitions becomes known around town, more and more people begin to voice their support and she is able to mend her relationship with her mother and reconnect with friends she had lost touch with during her relationship with Kyle. The protagonist's drive and commitment to finish the race despite various physical and emotional setbacks as well as her ability to push past tragedy and "feel again" will prove to be inspirational and motivational for readers.—Nicole Knott, Watertown High School, CT