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Running My Own Race
A brilliant debut coming of age story that combines captivating writing with unforgettable characters. Perfect for fans of Sharna Jackson and Maisie Chan.
Kofi's mum is determined he's going to be 'somebody'. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete - but he soon finds following your heart isn't an easy road.
Under pressure from his mum to make the most of his academic opportunity, his best friend who doesn't want him to change, his community to make them proud, and a rival who will do anything to make sure Kofi doesn't outshine him - Kofi isn't sure where to turn.
Can Kofi find a way to follow his own path?
"I was rooting for Kofi all the way! A thoughtful read" – Maisie Chan
"A joyous, gorgeous book" – Nazima Pathan
Kofi's mum is determined he's going to be 'somebody'. But when Kofi is given a place at a prestigious private school because of his athletic ability, everything changes. Kofi dreams of being a professional athlete - but he soon finds following your heart isn't an easy road.
Under pressure from his mum to make the most of his academic opportunity, his best friend who doesn't want him to change, his community to make them proud, and a rival who will do anything to make sure Kofi doesn't outshine him - Kofi isn't sure where to turn.
Can Kofi find a way to follow his own path?
"I was rooting for Kofi all the way! A thoughtful read" – Maisie Chan
"A joyous, gorgeous book" – Nazima Pathan
167 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 3, 2025
4 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Abena Eyeson
3 books2 followersPhD educated Abena Eyeson was born in Ghana but has lived in England since she was a child.
In July 2025, RUNNING MY OWN RACE, her debut middle grade novel, was published by Nosy Crow in the UK. Centred around eleven year old Kofi, it's a story about family, friendship, gaining courage and going for your dreams.
In 2021, she completed the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course. In the same year, she became a Faber Children’s FAB Prize Commended Text winner and was longlisted for the Jericho Prize for one of her picture books. She was longlisted for the TLC Pen Factor in 2022 and was added to the Oxford University Press’ (OUP) Primary Literacy list as a potential author. Her first book for OUP Primary, Our Family Farm, was published in 2024.
In 2019, she self-published a teen novel called Looking Up.
Since 2023, Abena has been represent by Gill McLay of Bath Literary Agency.
In July 2025, RUNNING MY OWN RACE, her debut middle grade novel, was published by Nosy Crow in the UK. Centred around eleven year old Kofi, it's a story about family, friendship, gaining courage and going for your dreams.
In 2021, she completed the Faber Academy Writing a Novel course. In the same year, she became a Faber Children’s FAB Prize Commended Text winner and was longlisted for the Jericho Prize for one of her picture books. She was longlisted for the TLC Pen Factor in 2022 and was added to the Oxford University Press’ (OUP) Primary Literacy list as a potential author. Her first book for OUP Primary, Our Family Farm, was published in 2024.
In 2019, she self-published a teen novel called Looking Up.
Since 2023, Abena has been represent by Gill McLay of Bath Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
July 3, 2025
An inspiring story about fitting in but also being yourself.
Full disclosure: I was sent an ARC copy of this but my views are my own. I loved this story about a boy trying to walk the fine line between fitting in, and pleasing his parents, and establishing his own identity, all the while navigating friendships. This would make a great classroom read for children at any school anywhere in the country.
Full disclosure: I was sent an ARC copy of this but my views are my own. I loved this story about a boy trying to walk the fine line between fitting in, and pleasing his parents, and establishing his own identity, all the while navigating friendships. This would make a great classroom read for children at any school anywhere in the country.
July 23, 2025
Wow! I may have taken ages to do the review for this (school exhaustion!) but this is a fabulous book.
Kofi is the son of a hairdresser and plumber. He is black, he's in year 6 at Exby Primary in London and he has entered the exam to get a scholarship at Nunford School. A prestigious private school. And he gets the scholarship, but he knows it's not for the reason Mum wants it to be.
His Mum wants him to be somebody, and when teh letter comes about his place and it talks about Athletics club and the Athletics team she isn't that pleased. But Kofi is - he loves running - and he now knows he got that scholarship because he was fast on the track that day.
But at this school unlike Exby Kofi is different there are no other black children!
And one boy, Miles, makes Kofi's life difficult from the beginning. Miles went to the posh prep school: his parents pay. Miles thinks he's the best at running. When Kofi beats him Miles' behaviour gets worse, much worse. What will Kofi choose to do now?
This is a superbly written book with friendship, rivalry, attitude and atonement. Kofi and his family are believable as a character as is Miles.
Absolutely loved it.
I have to thank Nosy Crow for the copy I received. The book was released on 3rd July.
Kofi is the son of a hairdresser and plumber. He is black, he's in year 6 at Exby Primary in London and he has entered the exam to get a scholarship at Nunford School. A prestigious private school. And he gets the scholarship, but he knows it's not for the reason Mum wants it to be.
His Mum wants him to be somebody, and when teh letter comes about his place and it talks about Athletics club and the Athletics team she isn't that pleased. But Kofi is - he loves running - and he now knows he got that scholarship because he was fast on the track that day.
But at this school unlike Exby Kofi is different there are no other black children!
And one boy, Miles, makes Kofi's life difficult from the beginning. Miles went to the posh prep school: his parents pay. Miles thinks he's the best at running. When Kofi beats him Miles' behaviour gets worse, much worse. What will Kofi choose to do now?
This is a superbly written book with friendship, rivalry, attitude and atonement. Kofi and his family are believable as a character as is Miles.
Absolutely loved it.
I have to thank Nosy Crow for the copy I received. The book was released on 3rd July.
July 8, 2025
Kofi leads a happy life with his sister Abigail and their loving parents as well as his best friend Charlie. The only fly in the ointment is the fact that his mother does not approve of his interest in athletics.
But when a prestigious private school offers Kofi a scholarship precisely for that reason, he decides to take the opportunity for the training facilities available there, not the scholastic benefits. Unfortunately, his mother thinks that his scholarship is a regular one not an athletics scholarship, and her resistance to that interest of his continues un ab ated. So that's one secret that Kofi has to keep.
But even worse is the fact that he is struggling at the new school - faced with racism and bullying, he retreats into himself. Which makes matters worse. And there is no one he can talk to about the situation which is rapidly getting worse...
This is an engaging well written story young readers that will to difficult topics such as racism, bullying and grief, in a way that is very relatable. It easily gets 3.5 stars. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
But when a prestigious private school offers Kofi a scholarship precisely for that reason, he decides to take the opportunity for the training facilities available there, not the scholastic benefits. Unfortunately, his mother thinks that his scholarship is a regular one not an athletics scholarship, and her resistance to that interest of his continues un ab ated. So that's one secret that Kofi has to keep.
But even worse is the fact that he is struggling at the new school - faced with racism and bullying, he retreats into himself. Which makes matters worse. And there is no one he can talk to about the situation which is rapidly getting worse...
This is an engaging well written story young readers that will to difficult topics such as racism, bullying and grief, in a way that is very relatable. It easily gets 3.5 stars. Recommended.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review
July 31, 2025
I loved this book! It focuses on Kofi, an amazing athlete who gets a scholarship to a private school. He's following his dream of being a runner, but he has to deal with leaving his old friends, a racist bully at his new school and his mum not approving of his ambitions.
The author doesn't shy away from examining the cruelty of racism and its impacts, but ultimately this storyline is a hopeful one, with Miles (the bully) coming to understand the error of his ways. There is also a strong, valuable focus on finding your own path in life, despite family and social pressures (the title of the book has a perfect double meaning in that respect). Young readers will empathise with the balance Kofi has to strike between fitting in and standing out.
Recommended for years 4-6 and probably the early years of secondary as well.
The author doesn't shy away from examining the cruelty of racism and its impacts, but ultimately this storyline is a hopeful one, with Miles (the bully) coming to understand the error of his ways. There is also a strong, valuable focus on finding your own path in life, despite family and social pressures (the title of the book has a perfect double meaning in that respect). Young readers will empathise with the balance Kofi has to strike between fitting in and standing out.
Recommended for years 4-6 and probably the early years of secondary as well.
October 3, 2025
Lovely story of Kofi who gets a scholarship to the local private school at the start of Year 7. It gives him the opportunity to pursue his love of running but everything else at the new school is SO hard. He doesn’t fit in, the work is different, his old best friend Charlie says he’s changed and, worst of all, he’s being bullied. Will he ever fit in? Will he be able to keep up with his dream of bring a top athlete? Will he learn to stand up for himself?
A great middle grade read. Doesn’t shy away from the trauma and awfulness of bullying: and racist bullying especially, but manages it in an age appropriate way.
A great middle grade read. Doesn’t shy away from the trauma and awfulness of bullying: and racist bullying especially, but manages it in an age appropriate way.
September 14, 2025
I love this story it’s so good that I was smiling from ear to ear Eyeson knows how to capture the British / Ghanaian vibes and that’s what I truly loved Kofi made me felt seen many ways especially his parents I feel Eyeson has done a great job at making Kofi a boy that had flaws and despites all his struggles he came out stronger in the end this book reminded me a lot of Wonder by RJ Palacio because of the themes that were in it this book was so enjoyable I didn’t want it to end so I can’t wait to see what Eyeson writes next!
October 19, 2025
Wonderful read that highlights overcoming adversity, staying true to yourself, recognising your talents and being authentic. Kofi you are an inspiration! Thoroughly recommend and delighted that my Year 7 book group are reading it too 📚❤️
August 20, 2025
A perfect quick summer read. Loved all the characters and thought they were beautifully written. The struggles of parental pressure and the feeling of losing friends after moving schools was very well written. Would definitely recommend.
September 23, 2025
A well written debut that does a good job of remaining engaging while dealing with topics that might not initially appeal to the majority of young readers.
Would be good as a tutor time read, especially for upper primary worried about the transition to secondary school and those who have just started in Year 7. Would also be good for developing a reader's empathy and to show how it can feel to experience racism.
Would be good as a tutor time read, especially for upper primary worried about the transition to secondary school and those who have just started in Year 7. Would also be good for developing a reader's empathy and to show how it can feel to experience racism.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews