The Smell of Paint — Sheryl McFarlane

Nothing makes Jess happier than running, so she is thrilled when a high-performance coach invites her to join the city track team. It also doesn't hurt that the cutest guy in school throws the javelin for the team. But what friendships will she sacrifice to pursue her dream of track-and-field stardom? And when her mother becomes ill, how hard will Jess run to escape her worst fears?