The Fastest Boy in the World

By Elizabeth Laird

A young runner races against time to save his grandfather's life.

3.8/5 Goodreads · 704 ratings

192 pages· 25,396 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

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Bookroo's summary

Eleven-year-old Solomon dreams of athletic glory, but when his grandfather collapses in Addis Ababa, his true test begins. With twenty miles to cover and his grandfather's life at stake, can Solomon's determination and love carry him home in time? Discover the heart-pounding journey of a boy whose spirit outpaces his bare feet.

From the publisher

From award-winning and beloved children’s author Elizabeth Laird comes a stunning edition of The Fastest Boy in the World, with a cover illustration by Zeamanuel Abera. This must-read book is a modern classic, and was shortlisted for the CLPE Carnegie Medal. Eleven-year-old Solomon loves to run; he dreams that one day he will be a gold-medal-winning athlete, in spite of his ragged shorts and bare feet. When his grandfather announces that he’s going to take Solomon to Ethiopia’s capital, Addis Ababa, Solomon cannot believe his ears. And he is even more excited to hear that the Ethiopian running team will be doing a victory parade through the city that day! But then Soloman’s grandfather collapses - and Solomon knows that getting help from his village is up to him. It’s a twenty-mile run from the city to home, and his grandfather’s life hangs in the balance. Can the small, bare-footed runner with the big heart make the journey? This edition includes brilliant extra material, such as: - An introduction by Elizabeth Laird- Extra content from the author, including reading group questions

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