Hurdles in the Dark

In sixth grade, Gonzalez lives in a house in Laredo, Tex., with 12 unemployed adults, including her single mother, in a neighborhood called “Ghost Town.” While attending a wedding in Mexico at 14, her mother is kidnapped, and Gonzalez is given one day to raise $40,000 to secure her mother’s release. Though she succeeds, she’s traumatized by the event. Her home life deteriorates and, following time spent in juvenile detention, Gonzalez determines that a college education is the only thing that will improve her financial situation, but her subpar academics won’t get her there. Set on winning a sports scholarship by running hurdles, she trains, pushing her body to the limit. When she’s approached by a renowned track coach, Gonzalez feels as if her luck is turning around—until their coach-student relationship starts to change. Gonzalez offers a glimpse into the challenges she faced navigating financial precarity, racism, sexual abuse, and violence through candid and insightful text, culminating in a raw and powerful debut. A foreword contextualizes the subject’s upbringing, and an afterword offers further information about the topics discussed. Ages 14–up. (May)