What Made Maddy Run: The Secret Struggles and Tragic Death of an All-American Teen - Kate Fagan - 5 stars

[Michelle H]

What an amazing book. This is the true story of Maddy, a high school track and soccer star. Maddy is part of the first generation that grew up with social media available all of the time. She played soccer and won 2 high school championships while also running track to keep in shape.

When it came time to go to college, she had to decide between a full ride at a smaller school in soccer or to an ivy league school in track. She selects the ivy league school because she thinks that is what society would want her to do. Once in college, Maddy has a hard time making the transition to college life and goes into a depression. She eventually commits suicide.

The book explores high school students today, social media, and mental health. Issues such as social media persona vs real persona are discussed. Young people post the happy side of life but believe other people have a better life because all they see are the 'happy' pictures that their friends post. This generation also has immediate, 24/7 contact with friends and family unlike previously when in college you talked to your parents once a week from the payphone in the hall.

This is the second book by Kate Fagan that I have read and I have loved both. She is a great author and she does a great job presenting the facts about student athletes and issues that they encounter that most people don't see.