Addy’s Race

This is the story of Addy Markley, a grade six student who has spent most of her life being told (by her mom) that she’s special because she wears hearing aids. Addy wants to be special because of something she’s accomplished — not because she has a hearing loss. When she joins the school running club, she discovers she has what it takes to be a champion — and what it takes to carve out her own identity.

Reviews:

Gillian O’Reilly, Canadian Children’s Book News, wrote:

Debby Waldman has written an honest and engaging story about friendship, finding one’s own strengths and refusing to be defined by how other people perceive one.

Elaine Fuhr, CM Magazine, wrote:

Author Debby Waldman has developed a main character who is truly believable. Addy has a somewhat caustic sense of humour, but she keeps her many thoughts to herself. Debby lets readers get to know Addy by allowing readers access to her constant diatribe of thoughts on every event in the story. Hilarious! After working with this age level for many years, it is clear to me that author Waldman understands young people very well. Addy’s Race is a story that will capture a young reader’s interest and keep it because the story is so true to the thoughts, feelings and experiences of kids in upper elementary and middle school.