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“A heartfelt, reassuring, and emotionally intelligent page-turner.”

—Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

“[A] heartfelt and touching exploration of identity, loss, friendship, and family that offers hopeful messaging about turning to loved ones for support, developing positive coping mechanisms, and being open to any and every opportunity for personal growth.”

—Publishers Weekly, Starred Review

“Alyssa’s voice rings with a modern, bubbly authenticity of a fourteen-year-old kid embracing new, albeit challenging, adolescent experiences… Bermudez adeptly conveys how Alyssa must learn to move within a world that is shaped by loss and yet still so full of the life and love she finds with family and friends.”

—BCCB

Run Home: A Graphic Memoir

Written by Alyssa Bermudez
Illustrated by Alyssa Bermudez
Published by Roaring Brook Press

It’s 2002, and 14-year-old Alyssa is a freshman at a new high school where she knows NO ONE and the uniforms are hideous! What a disaster…

Even worse? Her parents are forcing her to join the cross-country team. No one needs to run, or sweat, this much!

Over time though, Alyssa actually starts to like running. She’s getting better with practice, and some of the girls on the team are really nice. Alyssa begins to find a steady rhythm with high school, cross country, and her new stepfamily.

But Alyssa’s dad is sick, and she doesn’t know what to do. When the worst thing imaginable happens, Alyssa will need to count on her friends, family, and herself to keep running forward.

Primary ISBN: 9781250774309
Publication Date: January 2026
Available As: Hardcover, Paperback, eBook
Middle Grade, Graphic Memoir, Age 10 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (New York City NY)

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: 1st Generation

Book Creator(s) Connection to the Community Represented: Own Voices/Lived Experience

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