Patina (Track)

My son read the book Ghost by the same author (Jason Reynolds) in school and he was immediately inspired to not only read the rest of the books in this series (including Patina), but also to start running track. This is a very clever way to tell a story about a track team through multiple character's perspective. The book Patina, is told by Patina, however some of the other characters involved with this track team, have their own designated story/book. There are five in the series: Ghost, Patina, Sunny, Lu, and Coach. A great choice if you are looking for a series for a middle school student who likes to run.

It was good. I’d read it again. Ghost is better through but the drama is ok as well. Yay hah

After reading a review of this novel a couple of days ago, I purchased it immediately and tore through it. As a 60-something white grandmother to a live-in brown granddaughter, I am reading everything I can get my hands on to learn about the challenges she faces. Middle-schooler Patty (Patina) navigates a life in which her father has died, her mother - to whom she is very close -- cannot care for her and her little sister, her black uncle and white aunt provide a home for them, her charter school seems to be predominantly white, and her elite track team is her salvation (as well as one of her big struggles). Some of the difficulties she faces are universal to 12yo girls in America, some are unique to her family situation, and all are affected by color and cultures. She and extended family and friends all support one another in big and loving ways, but that doesn't prevent one conundrum and sometimes crisis after another from presenting itself. As a former teacher of middle school literature, I wish I had a class with which to share this book. As a grandmother, I found in Patty a hero for the toddler in my life. And as a white gm, I appreciated the clear depictions and occasional parenthentical explanations of things I'm trying to learn about, like beads and hair wrapping. Now on to the rest of the books in the series!

This is book number 2 in the four book "Track" series. All of the books have taken my grandson's school by storm. They're trading them back and forth like collectibles. Good characters, well written, and solid messages and tone.

One thing I love about King Jason Reynolds is his way to keep his readers, especially his young readers, fully engaged in his work. This was a special story about an even more special young lady. Patina, aka Patty, had a lot going on in her young life and she showed such resilience and strength that not even adults possess. I'm so glad Jason Reynolds decided on this path with her. I read/listened to this with our teen and 2 pre-teens and we had a few laughs, a few pause moments, and many things to discuss. I love the discussion questions at the end of the book too. Highly recommend this series. Great read. Now, on to the next book, Sunny. Let's Go.

I read this with my 11yr old son. Sometimes he read on his own and sometimes I read to him at night. Well written. Mastered the art of telling the story of someone's life - a relatively normal life - and making it interesting by allowing the reader to get inside the main character's head, and to feel how they are feeling. Well done! I'm ordering the next book.

While I haven’t read the entire series yet, I have a strong feeling Patty will be my favorite of them all. Patina is a moving, inspiring story of a fierce girl with a big heart and fast legs. If you enjoyed the first book in the Track series or you like middle-grade books about sports, you’ll ADORE Patina. This novel tackles everything from parental illness and disability, the loss of a parent, and adjusting to a new socioeconomic condition. I would highly recommend this novel to sports-loving and non-sports-loving kids and adults alike.

I'm at 5th grade teacher who read Ghost to my class earlier this school year. The kids ate it up, and literally begged for me to read more. I have just finished Patina. My students haven't even read it yet! And I truly think it's even better than Ghost! Patty is totally relatable to kids (boys and girls) of any race. Though, I really think it's notable that this is a book with a female of color as the main character. I usually really have to search to HARD find such refreshing, entertaining and thought-provoking writing. I love Jason Reynolds!