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On Track
A compelling verse novel about sibling rivalry, sporting excellence and self-doubt from a fresh new Australian voice.
My brother is good at everything.
He always does things first … better … best!
I try but I’m not good at anything.
Spinning out in frustration, Toby runs – away from big, better brother Shaun and from his clumsy body. He runs because it feels good. But when he has the opportunity to improve his coordination, will the diagnosis lead to glory or even more failure?
Shaun is training hard on the discus field annoyed at all the attention his little brother Toby receives, especially as he is the one with the sporting talent. He grasps the chance to work with a former Olympian but will it help him to achieve what he wants most in the world?
Told through the eyes of two very different brothers, On Track will have you cheering until the very end.
My brother is good at everything.
He always does things first … better … best!
I try but I’m not good at anything.
Spinning out in frustration, Toby runs – away from big, better brother Shaun and from his clumsy body. He runs because it feels good. But when he has the opportunity to improve his coordination, will the diagnosis lead to glory or even more failure?
Shaun is training hard on the discus field annoyed at all the attention his little brother Toby receives, especially as he is the one with the sporting talent. He grasps the chance to work with a former Olympian but will it help him to achieve what he wants most in the world?
Told through the eyes of two very different brothers, On Track will have you cheering until the very end.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 27, 2015
37 people want to read
About the author
Kathryn Apel
9 books15 followersKathryn Apel is an Aussie children's author who writes too much. She paints pictures with words, because much as she'd love to, Kat can't draw. Kat's goal is to find the perfect word for every situation. Sometimes that's a lot harder than you think!
Kat's Books;
VERSE NOVELS:
What Snail Know
Too Many Friends
Bully on the Bus
On Track
PICTURE BOOKS:
Mad Cows
Miss Understood
The Bird in the Herd
Up and Down on a Rainy Day
This is the Mud!
CHAPTER BOOK:
Fencing with Fear
Kat's Books;
VERSE NOVELS:
What Snail Know
Too Many Friends
Bully on the Bus
On Track
PICTURE BOOKS:
Mad Cows
Miss Understood
The Bird in the Herd
Up and Down on a Rainy Day
This is the Mud!
CHAPTER BOOK:
Fencing with Fear
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
June 7, 2015
I really enjoy verse novels particularly when well done, as this one is. I enjoyed some of the images, like this of the two brothers who are told by their mum to stay together as they walk the 2 kilometres to school.
‘We do,
but sometimes the road stretches
between us,
together
apart,
wrapped in
our own silent thoughts.
Other times we walk
shoulder to shoulder
throwing words
like footballs:
This verse novel is told in the voices of the two brothers, Shaun who is ‘good at everything’ and Toby who is awkward and who struggles at school and at home. The prospect of Sports Day is for Toby, the worst day of the year. I’m sure there are plenty of kids not good at sports who share that view. But things change for Toby when someone believes in him and shows him what he can do.
The image at Athletics Camp Day One as children from different schools gather, is very telling
mostly, we’re all strangers;
we don’t mix,
stand aloof,
apart –
each in our own bubble
of solitude
waiting for
the ice to
break.
Another image I liked was where Toby says his hands, ’feel like they’re made of marshmallow.’
There is a lot to like in this novel, from its bright cover to the clever use of language as it reveals the two boys and the situation. However, while I liked the idea of the story being told from two voices I thought it was sad to see the relationship or lack thereof between the brothers. It is sibling rivalry portrayed as each boy thinks the other is favoured by their parents. I have never had a brother and I am not the target audience for this book so maybe it is an accurate portrayal of siblings. Plus I was one of those kids who hated sports days, so that made this harder for me to read. That said, this is a great example of a verse novel, the two voices work well and it ends up being a book with a positive uplifting message woven into the story and that has to be a good thing .
‘We do,
but sometimes the road stretches
between us,
together
apart,
wrapped in
our own silent thoughts.
Other times we walk
shoulder to shoulder
throwing words
like footballs:
This verse novel is told in the voices of the two brothers, Shaun who is ‘good at everything’ and Toby who is awkward and who struggles at school and at home. The prospect of Sports Day is for Toby, the worst day of the year. I’m sure there are plenty of kids not good at sports who share that view. But things change for Toby when someone believes in him and shows him what he can do.
The image at Athletics Camp Day One as children from different schools gather, is very telling
mostly, we’re all strangers;
we don’t mix,
stand aloof,
apart –
each in our own bubble
of solitude
waiting for
the ice to
break.
Another image I liked was where Toby says his hands, ’feel like they’re made of marshmallow.’
There is a lot to like in this novel, from its bright cover to the clever use of language as it reveals the two boys and the situation. However, while I liked the idea of the story being told from two voices I thought it was sad to see the relationship or lack thereof between the brothers. It is sibling rivalry portrayed as each boy thinks the other is favoured by their parents. I have never had a brother and I am not the target audience for this book so maybe it is an accurate portrayal of siblings. Plus I was one of those kids who hated sports days, so that made this harder for me to read. That said, this is a great example of a verse novel, the two voices work well and it ends up being a book with a positive uplifting message woven into the story and that has to be a good thing .
September 3, 2015
A great read for the younger kids. I especially enjoyed sibling rivalry and how it's viewed by different family members. Would be. Good read for classrooms to highlight difference and how sometimes you can achieve beyond your imagination.
January 10, 2024
A re-read after a few years reinforces my belief of Kat Appel’s amazing ability as a storyteller in verse. With strong themes of determination, following your dreams and sibling rivalry, this sporty verse novel is bound to appeal to many young readers.
August 9, 2015
Loved this book! Very clever, very readable. I was quite impressed at how expressive the writing was. Well worth five stars!
April 20, 2025
Another great kid's verse novel by Kathryn Apel, oh how I am enjoying her books as I discover my love for verse novels. I really loved that this was told in alternating voices of an older and younger brother. Siblings who have rivalries and the journey they share for success.
Would be a very good class read aloud to highlight difference and how sometimes you can achieve things beyond your imagination if you try hard and believe.
Totally loved this book! It's very clever, readable and relatable. Great class read aloud for years 4-8.
Well worth five stars and noted as a new favourite author!
Would be a very good class read aloud to highlight difference and how sometimes you can achieve things beyond your imagination if you try hard and believe.
Totally loved this book! It's very clever, readable and relatable. Great class read aloud for years 4-8.
Well worth five stars and noted as a new favourite author!
October 23, 2020
I legit sat and read this in one sitting! I really enjoyed the exploration sibling rivalry, and the discovery that doing your “best” doesn’t necessarily mean someone else’s “best”. The way it was written too - in short verses, like poetry, really added to the tone of the book and it was just really cleverly written.
I can’t wait to read this with my kids.
I can’t wait to read this with my kids.
June 9, 2022
Not #ownvoices as far as I can tell, but had great moments with dyspraxia experiences, but often veired into insperation p*rn and "work hard and overcome it!", but luckily that had equal moments of positive rep, like teachers allowing for laptop use since handwriting is so difficult, etc.
March 25, 2025
Teachable-book-a-week #6
Very accessible and positive verse novel on siblings, sports and (dis)ability.
Very accessible and positive verse novel on siblings, sports and (dis)ability.
August 12, 2015
Toby and Shaun are facing some serious issues in their young life, or so they feel and most of them are introspective dilemmas. They wobble and wonder about for a while but are brought beautifully back on track in this exquisite second verse novel by, Kathryn Apel, who is very much on track herself writing in this style. On Track is uplifting and honest, funny and factual. It's sibling life and 100% relatable. Posting full review soon at Boomerang Blog!
http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/aut...
http://blog.boomerangbooks.com.au/aut...
October 7, 2015
Another great kid's verse novel by Kathryn Apel. I loved that this was told in alternating voices of an older and younger brother. It particularly resonated that one was a good at everything kid, while the other was not-so-good at everything. I liked the metaphor of athletics for life and chasing your dreams. The sub-plot about Toby's learning disability was nicely handled as well. I enjoyed reading about a 'normal' family and the regular difficulties we all go through - some nice insights on the difficulties of parenting as well.
May 4, 2015
Review to come later once released.
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May 31, 2017amazing !!1
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews