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Summary: Keeping Pace
Grace is an overachiever because she feels like being smart is all she has. She doesn’t seem too good at social situations and can’t figure out fashion and styling like her friends. So she holds on to book smarts and finds worth in her grades — and in competing with her former best friend, Jonah. Their friendship exploded after his dad’s sudden illness and death. Now, it’s the end of 8th grade, and Jonah’s won the coveted top scholar spot, leaving Grace with no raison d’etre. She decides to compete in a half marathon, for which she finds out Jonah is training, so she has one last chance to beat him. She ends up learning a lot about what really matters in life.
The Good
I really loved this book for so many reasons. First, it’s a genuinely sweet and swoony romance with authentic tween dialogue. It left me as an adult with “heart eyes” while feeling age-appropriate. We get to know both characters so well and are rooting for them by the end of the book. Speaking of characters, Laurie Morrison does an exceptional job of creating the characters in this story, from Grace to her sister Celia and her cousin and her parents. I loved that the love interest, Jonah had a full character arc and wasn’t some manic pixie dream boy. Throughout the story, he works through his grief, his choices, and finds a way to move forward.
Another reason why I was so drawn to this story is that I could relate hard to Grace, as I think most overachievers will. I loved that Grace is surrounded by others who aren’t overachievers: Celia her sister, Avery, her coustwin, and even her mom — all of whom are incredibly balanced and balance her out while learning from her. I also loved the peek into her father’s life and the impact of his overambition on his relationships and overall happiness. From Jonah’s family’s challenges and grief to the turbulence in Grace’s family, there’s a lot of family in this story and I’m always a fan of stories about family.
Finally, the summer setting is the perfect backdrop for this story — especially with the half-marathon training, and as a burgeoning runner, I loved seeing Grace’s journey to preparing for the race.
Keeping Pace
Keeping Pace is a swoony middle grade romance about battling perfectionism and overambition and balancing relationships with goals. This adorable young romance stars two relatable protagonists finding their way through family challenges, navigating friendships, and figuring out who they are — separately and together. Ultimately, a terrific selection for upper middle grade readers who love a good romance!
Star Rating
Content Notes
Here are some specifics to know about the content.
Content Warnings
- Death: None on the page, but references to Jonah’s father’s death some years ago
- Alcohol/substance abuse: None
- Sexual content: Two teens exchange 1-2 kisses and hold hands
- Violence: None
- Religious content: None
- Language: None
- Other: Mentions of periods and pads and tampons
Diversity
- Ethnic: Main characters cued white.
- Sexual orientation: None
Recommended for ages: 10+
Good for kids who like:
Publisher Details
| Publisher details | Harry N. Abrams |
| Author: | Laurie Morrison |
| Illustrator: | N/A |
| Publication date: | April 9, 2024 |
| Audiobook? | No |
| Page count: | 272 |
| Cover artists | Designer: | Deena Micah Fleming |
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