Nowhere to Run

Gr 8–10—Calvin's dream of winning the 100-meter dash in the District Championship is thwarted by a neighborhood thug who threatens to break his kneecaps if he doesn't throw the race. While he hadn't thought seriously about attending college, the high school senior knows a scholarship possibility would be crushed by Norris P and his territorial reign of terror. Best friend Deej, who happens to be Norris P's cousin, keeps Calvin safe for the interim, allowing him to stay focused on his running and his part-time job at his coach's auto shop. Calvin's studious girlfriend, Junior, also encourages him to keep his eyes on the prize, but loyalty to Deej has him agreeing to hide stolen goods at the garage, and the moral dilemma threatens everything Calvin has worked for. A gritty description of the impoverished and war-torn streets around Washington, DC's Harry Truman High School helps readers empathize with Calvin's ambiguous sense of right and wrong. At times, adults such as Coach Albert and Granny Henry are portrayed as caring but helpless to have much influence over the turf wars and allegiances of the young male characters. Ultimately, Calvin must decide whether to defy his tormentor and face brutal consequences for racing to win or lose to save Deej, who is also threatened by Norris P. The dialogue-driven, predictable urban drama will appeal to reluctant readers, who will be satisfied with this first novel's short length and mature situations.—Vicki Reutter, Cazenovia High School, NY