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Lorimer Sports Stories
Freerunner
14-year-old Patrick and his mother leave their small town for the city. Out of boredom and frustration, he steals a pair of headphones. When he's caught, the police officer, Constable Jack, is willing to get the charges dropped if Patrick trains with him in parkour for twelve weeks.
While Patrick trains extra hard he develops a crush on Parker and a rivalry with Jayden. When the tension with Jayden reaches new heights, Constable Jack decides they'll settle the score in a competition. But they aren't just fighting for best individual ― there's also the prize for best club at stake. That means Patrick and Jayden will have to learn to work together.
While Patrick trains extra hard he develops a crush on Parker and a rivalry with Jayden. When the tension with Jayden reaches new heights, Constable Jack decides they'll settle the score in a competition. But they aren't just fighting for best individual ― there's also the prize for best club at stake. That means Patrick and Jayden will have to learn to work together.
120 pages, Library Binding
Published August 1, 2018
1 person is currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
David Trifunov
4 books3 followersDavid is a father of three little girls and an award-winning journalist turned author. He's published two middle-grade books for reluctant readers with a third expected in early 2018 for the Sports Stories series through Lorimer Kids and Teens.
He enjoys trying to weave classic sports themes of teamwork, dedication, and loyalty alongside more challenging, modern-day topics (like race, culture, and class). It's all in hopes young readers can more easily identify with the characters they might be reading about in his books.
When he's not making school lunches, dropping kids at school, picking kids up at school (or gymnastics or ballet or soccer or birthday parties)...he's trying to write and read as much as possible.
He enjoys trying to weave classic sports themes of teamwork, dedication, and loyalty alongside more challenging, modern-day topics (like race, culture, and class). It's all in hopes young readers can more easily identify with the characters they might be reading about in his books.
When he's not making school lunches, dropping kids at school, picking kids up at school (or gymnastics or ballet or soccer or birthday parties)...he's trying to write and read as much as possible.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 10, 2018
My son is really interested in parkour, so I selected this book to see if it was a good fit for him. This is a fast-paced book with a lot of good action and a positive message. I'd call it "upper MG" or "YA."
Parents advisory: no bad language (or so minimal I didn't notice), no kissing, drinking, smoking etc. It starts with a boy getting caught shoplifting, there are a few skirmishes (not quite fist fights, but close) but otherwise there isn't anything that makes it not safe for children in my opinion. I think it would hold both my 13 year old and my 10 year old's interest, though I'm not sure I'd give it to my ten-year-old due to the shoplifting. (I think at his maturity he might see it as a way to get free parkour lessons)
Don't get me wrong—it has a strong message of not making the same mistake twice and also not throwing away someone who has made a mistake. I'd certainly give it to him at 12. Know your own kid. :)
I found it as fast and entertaining read. My attention never lagged and it was a great length for the age group.
Thanks, Net Galley, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Parents advisory: no bad language (or so minimal I didn't notice), no kissing, drinking, smoking etc. It starts with a boy getting caught shoplifting, there are a few skirmishes (not quite fist fights, but close) but otherwise there isn't anything that makes it not safe for children in my opinion. I think it would hold both my 13 year old and my 10 year old's interest, though I'm not sure I'd give it to my ten-year-old due to the shoplifting. (I think at his maturity he might see it as a way to get free parkour lessons)
Don't get me wrong—it has a strong message of not making the same mistake twice and also not throwing away someone who has made a mistake. I'd certainly give it to him at 12. Know your own kid. :)
I found it as fast and entertaining read. My attention never lagged and it was a great length for the age group.
Thanks, Net Galley, for providing a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
February 16, 2019
Parkour, mid teens, Ottawa. That's got your attention. What more do you need to know?
The central lad has been up to tricks at the shopping mall but we see right away that he doesn't get away with it and could have been in much worse trouble if a cop wasn't good with young people. So lessons are learnt and we get on with the action. I like that we meet a young lady who is better at parkour and everyone has to learn to get along. Enjoy.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
The central lad has been up to tricks at the shopping mall but we see right away that he doesn't get away with it and could have been in much worse trouble if a cop wasn't good with young people. So lessons are learnt and we get on with the action. I like that we meet a young lady who is better at parkour and everyone has to learn to get along. Enjoy.
I downloaded an e-ARC from Net Galley and Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
January 25, 2019
It's called free running, or the sport of parkour, and we have all been amazed by it either in online videos or TV commercials, with runners flipping off of walls, sprinting down railings, bouncing over dumpsters, and clearing walls at full speed. Free Runner takes you into the blood-pumping, sweat=flying reality of street level parkour in a short, intense story, where the action comes first... and second and third. Let fly, and to get in the mood, check out this video: www.youtube.com/watch?v=2vfoyY9lshI. And for more great sports books for guys, see: talestoldtall.com/blog1/sports/
October 23, 2018
FreeRunner is a great book for middle school aged boys who are looking for a fast pace, action pack book. Parents will love this book for the positive message the story sends to young readers.
The author brings kids into a well written world that they will be able to find themselves lost in the story as well as the adventure. Never once did this reader find it dull or boring even with the message pounded into your head. Than again I am an adult. I think my 12 year old son will enjoy this book ad find the message to be uplifting and positive.
Thank you to Netglley and the Publisher Lorimer for a copy of David Trifunov Freerunner
The author brings kids into a well written world that they will be able to find themselves lost in the story as well as the adventure. Never once did this reader find it dull or boring even with the message pounded into your head. Than again I am an adult. I think my 12 year old son will enjoy this book ad find the message to be uplifting and positive.
Thank you to Netglley and the Publisher Lorimer for a copy of David Trifunov Freerunner
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews