Spirit Runner

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Pub Date 12 Jan 2018 | Archive Date 18 Jan 2018

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Description

The world contrives against a boy named Ron Campbell. His legs are mangled in a wreck and paralyzed. The people he loves die. His remaining relatives hate him. Only his indomitable spirit sustains him – he will attempt every obstacle, face every danger, and answer every challenge to pursue his impossible dream of Olympic marathon champion. But nothing can prepare him for what awaits. An epic journey of endurance lays ahead where he will learn that a true friend, whether animal or human, is the real prize of the world, and the mystical power of the spirit can work miracles.

The world contrives against a boy named Ron Campbell. His legs are mangled in a wreck and paralyzed. The people he loves die. His remaining relatives hate him. Only his indomitable spirit sustains...

A Note From the Publisher

Author is available for interviews, blog tours, autographed tours, autographed book giveaways, contests, and book club discussions.

Author is available for interviews, blog tours, autographed tours, autographed book giveaways, contests, and book club discussions.


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About the Author:

Richard Ferguson was born in Houston, Texas. He spent time on his grandfather's ranch in New Mexico most summers until he was nineteen when he joined the Army. He still has the first short story he wrote when he was five. In it, a boy finds an injured prairie dog and nurses it back to health. Richard must have already had a flair for the surprise ending, or a short attention span, because at the end the boy throws the prairie dog back into the ocean and it swims away to live happily ever after. An interesting bit of extreme trivia is that Walter Cronkite and Richard did the same things. Richard was an editor for the Purple Pup at Lanier Junior High School in Houston and so was Cronkite. Richard wrote for the Lamar High School paper and so did Cronkite. Richard wrote for the University of Texas newspaper and so did Cronkite. In the Army, Richard wrote for the Stars and Stripes. He now lives in Mexico with Hamish and Poochie, his two canine friends who he saved one way or another.

About the Author:

Richard Ferguson was born in Houston, Texas. He spent time on his grandfather's ranch in New Mexico most summers until he was nineteen when he joined the Army. He still has the first...


Available Editions

EDITION Paperback
ISBN 9781976214264
PRICE $14.99 (USD)

Average rating from 2 members


Featured Reviews

Ron Campbell, the central figure of Richard Ferguson's Spirit Runner, was just a boy when his whole family died in a car crash, but he was old enough to know that his father was a great Olympic marathoner. Despite the fact that his legs were devastatingly injured in the wreck, and he face years of rehab before he will even be able to walk and run normally, he carries a determination that he will be a great runner like his father.



Ron's tragic life begins with the auto accident, but that is not the end of the tragedy. He's placed in the care of his aunt and uncle, who mistreat him and are literally willing to kill for Ron's inheritance. Thankfully his loving, kind grandparents intervene. He also has a therapist who lives at the ranch with the family, and who has the skills and determination to get Ron back on his feet. His favorite nurse from his hospital stay becomes a regular feature at the ranch, as do some kids from neighboring ranches who become his best friends.



In this environment of love and hatred, he faces obstacles, human and natural, which seem determined to ruin his rehabilitation and break his spirit: sabotage of his aquatic training trench, an attack from a rabid wolf, getting swept away in a flash flood, physical abuse from his aunt and uncle, cruelty from his cousin, harassment from bullies, and other struggles. Somehow he perseveres and, miraculously, does not turn out to be an embittered, mean young man, but a strong, kind young man who turns out to be an even greater runner than his dad.



Some of the drama is over the top in Spirit Runner, but the overall message and the story of redemption from out of tragedy makes this an enjoyable read. Although he faced hardship and had to deal with hateful relatives, he was fortunate to have such great, positive support. When things seem darkest, look for the light and press on.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!

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