Product Description

This is the story of Justin, a 15-year-old boy with autism who is starting his first semester in a mainstream school and Brad, the school track star, all-around cool guy, and Justin s assigned buddy. In Running on Dreams, these two middle-school boys are tossed together in a story of teenage angst, confusion, and friendship. For adolescents with autism and their neurotypical peers alike, the book is written from both Justin s and Brad s perspectives as they struggle to understand each other and themselves. Join Brad and Justin as they embark upon several teen benchmarks: the first date, rejection by peers, family pressure to succeed, fitting in with the right crowd, experiencing teenage sexuality, and dealing with the outsider kid who is perceived as not cool. This book captures many bittersweet and humorous events that bring new insight to a familiar world the world of heartbreak for two boys whose relationship starts out quite turbulent but evolves into a friendship of loyalty and trust.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #123963 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-01
• Released on: 2007-01-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 293 pages

Review
As his teen characters struggle with the daily difficulties of friends, family and finding a place to fit in the world, Heiman deftly draws us into the primary challenge of adolescence: to find the courage to be true to yourself. Running on Dreams reminds us that to run the race with heart is to win the prize. --John Sexton,Young Adult Librarian, Ashland Public Library, Oregon

Running on Dreams is a story of two middle school boys searching to discover where they fit in the world while searching for friendship.This is an excellent introduction to what if feels like to have a pervasive developmental disorder and would be beneficial to anyone seeking to understand that we are all more alike than different. I will enthusiastically share this book with students, parents and staff that I work with. --Elisa Gagnon, M.S. Ed., Autism/Asperger Syndrome Consultant, Overland Park, Kansas

What a compelling and uplifting story of a most unlikely pair of teens the popular, athletic track star and his socially challenged classmate with autism. This coming-of-age novel is an inspirational read for anyone searching for the true meaning of friendship and acceptance. --Joan Clark MA, CCC-SLP, Author of Jackson Whole Wyoming

About the Author
Herb Heiman, a professional pantomime performer, entertains students of all grade levels throughout southern Oregon. A middle-school special education assistant instructor for 12 years, Herb writes and produces educational television shows for the Southern Oregon Educational Services network. Herb and his wife, Elaine, have three sons and five grandchildren and love the rural, laid-back life of the art/agriculturally-blended community of Talent, OR.

Customer Reviews

The human realities of living with aspergers
The week I first met Herb Heiman this book was published. I met him in his "other life," as a 40-year veteran of TaiChi. His ability to see the gifts in every human being shows up just as strongly in this book as it does in his teaching.

Running on Dreams is a beautiful story that will clean the windows of your heart. Having lived this story with my own child, I know, first hand, the joys, the frustrations, and the terrific sadness that comes with the territory Herb has so masterfully described. Running on Dreams show us, right up close and personal, what it's like being on both sides of the experience of autism.

It's a wonderful book, not just for young adults, but for anyone who wants to understand more about what it's like to cope with the very different experience of the world that people with aspergers live everyday. The story is told from a truly compassionate point of perception. Every parent, every sibling, every neighbor, every teacher, and certainly every school and social service administrator who needs to better understand the everyday challenges of coping with aspergers will benefit deeply from reading it.

I recommend you get a copy for yourself today. Then get five more copies and give them away to others who need to clean the windows of their hearts, too.

More alike than different
Author Herb Heiman masterfully offers up a novel about two teenage boys - Justin, who has Asperger's, and Brad, the school's popular track star - on their journey to self discovery. Kudos to Heiman for his real-life descriptions of the thoughts and feelings of both boys as they come to know more about each other and question their place in the world. Wonderful, positive example to readers about the ways we are all more alike than different. Excellent for teens both on and off the spectrum, their parents and teachers.

I loved this book
I bought this book because I was searching for a book on teens with disabilities as I have a good friend with a child with Asperger's. I wasn't sure what to expect but I was pleasantly surprised to find Mr. Heiman's well-written and insightful look into the joys and sorrows of his characters' lives. It is rare to find someone who can write about the feelings of young people with such honesty and empathy and still create an entertaining read.

I highly recommend this book and am anxiously awaiting a new one from Mr. Heiman!