Olympic Dream - Softcover

Grade 4-6?Lumpy and unathletic, 14-year-old Doug Cannon is faced with summer vacation and?after the video arcade burns down?nowhere to hang out. Somewhat reluctantly, he begins to help the local organization of "Rails to Trails" convert an abandoned rail bed into a bike path. A medical student and near Olympic-caliber cyclist encourages Doug to take up cycling; by the end of October, he's gotten into shape and wins a race. Christopher does a good job of presenting the main character's early self-consciousness and eventual pride and confidence. The title is a little deceiving, since the book has nothing to do with the Olympics (they are a distant, hazy dream of Doug's). However, as sports novels go, this one is fast, straightforward, and readable.?Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, IL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.