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Reviewed by Robert A. Groves for Readers' Favorite
Not all races end at the finish line. Zoey Wheeler introduces us to two highly competitive high school athletes in Why They Run. There is Jason Everett, a track star at New Wellis High School. Some might even attribute the term “sports god” to his athletic prowess. He is a dominant force to reckon with. Jason has his sights set on one upcoming race that could change the trajectory of his life. The race for the Harley Mavera Scholarship. His competitor? Scarlett Artega, whose parents are legendary track stars themselves. Like Jason, she has life-changing plans if she wins the race. But before they get to the starting line, there are personal battles they must confront. Jason has a messy family dynamic from which he is seeking escape. In fact, his very survival may depend upon winning the race. Scarlett feels suffocated by her parents’ legacy and needs to find her confidence to win. Throughout the season, both teens push their limits with grueling training, mounting pressure, and rising stakes. Readers will feel their rivalry intensifying with each turn of the page. However, before the day of the event arrives, something very unexpected happens between them. It changes everything. How will they navigate it, and whose future will be altered?
Wow, just wow! A YA masterpiece. Reading Why They Run left me impressed and moved. Zoey Wheeler has created characters in Jason and Scarlett who feel like the boy and girl next door. She demonstrates the kind of storytelling instinct that many writers spend decades developing. The book pulled me in from the first chapter, balancing athletic intensity with personal struggle. I couldn’t help but care about Jason and Scarlett. It also created an internal emotional upheaval. Both teens had valid reasons for wanting to win the scholarship, but one’s reason might be more urgent than the other. It was a conflict I faced in chapter after chapter. Wheeler’s insight into pressure, identity, and resilience is sharp and intelligently handled. I would absolutely recommend this novel to readers of all ages, not just the YA audience. Those who love character driven stories about ambition, healing, and finding your voice will love it. This talented young author has a bright future. I look forward to more books from her.
