Frankenstein's 10k

After runners Randy, Fritz, Eugene, and Dum Dum are beaten by a speedy team of girls, they become determined to tie the score through a rigid training program of diet, biking, and days of running

Grade 3-6 Four sixth-grade boys train diligently for the mile relay at the county track meet, only to discover that all relay teams have to include two boys and two girls. The solution? Two of the boys disguise themselves as girls. Victory seems certain: the boys have practiced hard, they are undefeated in previous races, and no one has seen past their disguises. But to their astonishment and consternation, the boys are defeated by a mysterious team against whom they've never raced before. They learn that they've been defeated by a team of girls (two of the girls disguised themselves as boys). With a special Halloween 10K race approaching, the boys develop a plan to restore their pride. This leads to a rather complicated description of the final race. The novel tests the reader's credulity: no one seems capable of seeing through the most outlandish disguise. The 6.2 mile race is followed by a dance for the sweaty and tired participants. All of this is unfortunate since a sports novel should be believable. No serious runner, for instance, would think that a 10K could be run in a Frankenstein suit, let alone a princess costume (including slippers), as these runners do. The story does have a few amusing moments and an overall surreal quality that may or may not be intentional. A disappointment, especially when compared to Knudson's other sports fiction. Todd Morning, Schaumburg Township Public Library, Ill.
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.