Running Wide Open

Lisa Nowak

Jun 2011 · Webfoot Publishing

About this ebook

Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the inside of a combustion chamber, and it’s landed him at his uncle’s trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night?

The last thing Cody expects is for Race to become the friend and mentor he’s been looking for all his life. But just as he begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he’s come to care about is threatened, and he’s forced to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he’s ever dared trust.

Named one of BookBub’s “6 Seriously Awesome YA Books Even Adults Can Get Into” and praised by teachers as perfect for reluctant readers, Running Wide Open is a feel-good story you’ll remember long after you finish the last page. Great for fans of Chris Crutcher, Laurie Halse Anderson, and John Green.

“Nowak capably depicts a realistic, likable teenager with typical teenager flaws.... An endearing story about a teenager, his mentor, and what a difference true, unselfish love can make.” ~ Kirkus Reviews

“The roar of engines practically explodes off the page in this compelling, heart-thumping debut. Cody Everett is a straight-shooter with attitude, smarts, and whip-cracking wit; he doesn't pull any punches, and neither does author Lisa Nowak. The collision of Cody and the world of stock car racing makes for a great story, one of the best I've read in a long time. Running Wide Open is a book not to be missed.” ~ Christine Fletcher, author of Tallulah Falls and Ten Cents a Dance

“I thoroughly enjoy Lisa Nowak’s books and have especially enjoyed using her Full Throttle series in working with my students. The characters are all so believable and definitely relatable to adolescents. I find that the lessons they learn are valuable and at times similar to things my students are dealing with. In one student's case, I was able to draw from situations in the books to use as comparisons and possible solutions. It was great to not have to ‘lecture.’” ~ Linda Ryan, School Counselor, Londonderry H.S.

Book 1 in the Full Throttle Series

Ratings and reviews

I really enjoyed this book. The story was fast paced and entertaining. A good coming of age tale with a serious message without being preachy. The characters were believable with lots of heart. Anyone who's ever dealt with a difficult family situation and managed to get through it intact with the help of others will be able to relate. I give it five stars for having everything I look for in a story. I was sorry to see it end and look forward to reading the rest of the series. Trying to write a hundred word review without being redundant makes one appreciate a good read all the more. Did it! Please forgive any mistakes in punctuation and syntax.

Wasn't able to put off the book until I finished reading. An awesome story with a lot of things one might consider thinking about.

Having spent a considerable amount of time around circle track racing....and having dealt with some of the same raw emotions .....this book was hard to put down.....VERY realistic! Great read for any age....

About the author

In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.