Dream Big: A True Story of Courage and Determination

K-Gr 3—McGillivray pens an autobiographical picture book on his life and legacy as a race director for the Boston Marathon. He and coauthor Feehrer focus first on McGillivray's athletic ability and small stature, which deterred him from other sports except for running. McGillivray's persistence and strong relationship with his supportive and loving grandfather result in a goal to tackle the Boston Marathon at age 17. Readers will be drawn to McGillivray's honest perspective, but their attention will be held by the description of running marathons, the drama of counting down the last few miles along with the text. The significance of strong family relationships and the reality of achieving personal goals make this title ideal for character education or a unit about families. The illustrations are colorful and support the story well.