Jayne M Lauer

The Boy Who Couldn't Shouldn't Wouldn't Run Jayne M Lauer

It's the first day of summer vacation. Jack Taylor is already bored. Then Mr. Winchester Peabody, his very interesting new neighbor who could also be his 5th-grade teacher in the fall, invites him to go for a run. Even though Jack much prefers sitting, he decides to accept Mr. Peabody's invitation. At first, Jack isn't sure he likes to run. But since Mr. Peabody has a funny way of taking his mind off running, Jack soon conquers the Park & Town Square Run, the Hills & Valleys Run, and the Oberloh Farm Run. Other kids begin joining them and just like that, Jack and Mr. Peabody become the co-founders of the Milford Kids' Running Club. Jack gets into the spirit of Mr. Peabody's color days, sunny-side down days, and skyscrapers, but still wonders why Mr. Peabody always wears purple socks. When Jack finally asks him, Mr. Peabody explains he had been very sick with a kind of cancer called Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Thankful for God's healing, he decided to remind himself of God's love for him every day by wearing purple socks, the awareness color for Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Now it's his turn to help others with cancer, so he asks Jack to assist him with the first Milford Kids' Running Club Race to Cure Lymphoma. A week before the race, Jack realizes he actually LIKES running. With the unexpected arrival of Mr. Peabody's twin brother who is determined to win the race and a mysterious woman who is determined to be last, Jack learns to be a winner in many different ways. Written for boys and girls who love to run and those who don't, this story is sure to be an inspiration for all.