A Heart in a Body in the World
by Deb Caletti
Realistic Fiction
Young Adult
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Annabelle (Belle) is a survivor of something terrible. Overwhelmed by her feelings of guilt, sadness, anger, and frustration, she just starts running one night and decides that she will run across the country from Washington state (her home) to Washington DC. While her mother completely freaks out, her younger brother and her friends are supportive and start a Gofundme to help finance her trip. Belle’s grandfather gets on board, too, and becomes Belle’s support vehicle/person – meeting her every day after her run at pre-arranged locations along the way. While Belle runs, she thinks about the events and the person who led her to this place and this journey she feels compelled to make. Readers will be aching to know what happened to Belle and why she’s running. Gripping, intense, and moving.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
