The Story of Indigenous Marathon Champion
Lorena Ramirez
A TRUE TALE WITH
A CHERRY ON TOP
Atheneum Books for Young Readers
(Simon Kids)
(pub. 6.11.2024)
40 pages
Ages 4 - 8
Author: Belen Medina
Illustrator: Natalia Rojas Castro
Character: Lorena Ramirez
Overview:
" Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez [from Mexico]. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, 'the light-footed people,' to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving—outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world’s attention. Lorena’s career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams."
Tantalizing taste:
"Quiet as a deer.
Quick as a rabbit.
Graceful as a gazelle.
She thinks of the finish line,
of her family,
and of her community,
not of giving up.
Fifty miles she runs."
And something more: In the About Lorena section at the back of the book, the author, Belen Medina writes: "Life is not easy for the Rarámuri, Lorena and her family must walk or run for hours through the canyon to buy food and supplies. This is one way she built her endurance. She also built up her stamina by herding the family's goats and cows, as well as play a Rarámuri running game where players kick a ball across miles...
Many of the Rarámuri, including Lorena, help their families make a living by winning races ...
Lorena's persistence is what I find most inspiring about her. Whether she wins or loses a race, she stays determined and never compromises who she is."
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