RUNNING ACROSS AMERICA

By Dave McGillivray & Nan Feehrer, Illustrated digitally

Published by Nomad Press, 2019

As a teenager, Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray heard a news story about a person biking across the United States. “What a great idea!” he thought. “But instead of a bike, I’ll use my sneakers!”

Thus begins the funny, touching, true story of McGillivray’s 80-day, 3452-mile run from Medford, Oregon, to his hometown of Medford, Massachusetts, in 1978. In In this book, McGillivray tells the tale of how he braved the Sierra and Rocky Mountains, millions of grasshoppers in Nebraska, days of pouring rain in Ohio, the occasional rattlesnake, and persistent sore knees.

Through 13 states, blistering heat, and being “pulled over” by a State Trooper, McGillivray relies on good friends, family, a sense of humor, and sheer determination to fulfill a dream—and to help kids who can’t run.

“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. VERDICT A delightful true tale about dreaming big, and the effort and commitment required to make those dreams come true.”

⎻ School Journal Library