by Deb Caletti
First published 2018
Annabelle had friends, family, and a boy whose attention felt both flattering and disturbing. That attention grew more intense until it shattered her world completely. Now she runs. With her grandfather Ed supporting her journey and a journal filled with thoughts she cannot say aloud, Annabelle covers 2,700 miles from Seattle to Washington DC. Each mile takes her further from the pain of the past year and closer to a destination she feels compelled to reach but does not fully understand. Her feet pound the pavement as her heart pounds in her chest. The physical challenge of crossing the country step by step becomes her path toward emotional healing. Through the rhythm of running, Annabelle begins to find the strength buried within herself. She learns to let love and hope return to her life after trauma tried to destroy both.
Genres: coming-of-age, contemporary, young-adult, family-drama
Vibes: fast-paced, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: emotional-journey, found-family
Setting: Seattle, Washington DC
Period: present-day
386 pages · Kindle Edition · Atheneum Books for Young Readers
Content warnings: abuse