By Abena Eyeson (author)
"This beautiful, big-souled book sees a talented 11-year-old athlete navigate his way through conflict to live his most authentic life."
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July 2025 Book of the Month
Perfectly crafted, and singing with authenticity, Abena Eyeson’s Running My Own Race tells the jubilantly inspirational story of a boy who finds his way through multiple challenges, conflicts and set-backs to follow his own path.
Everything changes for Kofi when he wins a scholarship to a posh “mega-expensive private school” as a result of his talent for athletics. Coming from a working-class background and a state school, Kofi quickly feels like he doesn’t fit in anywhere — he’s called “state-school boy” at his new school and “posh boy” by his old friends.
While everyone expects Kofi to stay in his lane, his new life straddles both. Then there’s the literal running track lane Kofi is determined to find success on. In fact, excelling on the track is one of the conditions of his scholarship, alongside delivering academic results. Add to that feeling under pressure to be his mum’s “golden boy”, bullying, racism and class prejudice, and Kofi’s life amounts to a whirlwind of struggles.
In time, though, with help from a new friend (a fellow scholarship student), his athletics coach, and loving family, Kofi finds the courage and strength to stand up for himself and to forge his own lane. Radiant with empathy, Running My Own Race tackles big topics in a brilliantly relatable style that’ll have readers punching the air with joy after walking in Kofi’s trainers every step of the way.
Kofi's mum is determined he's going to be 'somebody'. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete - but he soon finds following your heart isn't an easy road.
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Under pressure from his mum to make the most of his academic opportunity, his best friend who doesn't want him to change, his community to make them proud, and a rival who will do anything to make sure Kofi doesn't outshine him - Kofi isn't sure where to turn.
Can Kofi find a way to follow his own path?
Abena Eyeson was born in Ghana but has lived in the UK since the age of 12. She has won accolades for the FAB Prize, Jericho Prize and TLC Pen Factor. She writes picture books, educational non-fiction and has self-published YA. Abena lives just outside London with her husband and three children. It was her children that inspired her to put Black characters at the heart of her stories. Running My Own Race is her first middle grade novel.
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A book about perseverance, determination and never giving up. The main character faces many struggles as he changes his school but he continues to follow his dream!
I liked this book as it is about a boy called Kofi who changes school. He finds his new school challenging as he meets a boy who takes an instant dislike to him. However he refuses to give up on his dream and passion for running. It was easy to read and I enjoyed it throughout.... Read Full Review
This book was enjoyable and calm to read, there were some moments in the book when I was "sitting on the edge of my seat" Mostly at the end when Kofi was about to finish the race. It was very unexpected when Charlie and Kofi were getting more and more agitated as they are very good friends.
This book was very enjoyable and calming to read in the evening, I really liked this book because it showed that you can do anything and that Kofi won the school's most important (to him) track race. There were parts in the story that I found quite interesting as Kofi was very popular as he got into Nunford Boarding School as most of the other people went to St. Vincent. It was also unusual that the teachers weren't really showing much attention until Kofi got beaten up by Miles (the point where Kofi's mum (Evelyn) is about to end his scholarship and make him go to St. Vincent with his friend Charlie who was starting to become more and more agitating for Kofi.... Read Full Review
Kofi's mum is determined he's going to be 'somebody'. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Running My Own Race and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Running My Own Race features in the following genres: Featured Books for 9+ readers, Featured Books for 11+ readers, Books of the Month, Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Recommendations, Star Books, Stories about Family and Friends, School Stories, Sporting Stories, Sports, PSHE: Bullying and Discrimination, PSHE: Self-Awareness, Self-Esteem and Wellbeing, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s / Teenage: General interest, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Athletics and gymnastics, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Friends and friendships, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Children’s / Teenage personal and social topics: Relationships (non-family / groups)
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Running My Own Race was written by Abena Eyeson and published by Nosy Crow an imprint of Nosy Crow Ltd
Running My Own Race has 230 pages
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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