AJ feels different from other eleven year old boys, and the main reason is that his parents both have learning difficulties. They are loving and wise in their separate ways, and with the help of Grandad, the family has always coped admirably. But not now. Grandad has recently died, and AJ misses him tremendously while also feeling that he and his parents will get along okay. After all, 'It's no big deal for me. Really it isn't. I don't look after them. We look after each other.' But when unpaid bills begin to mount up, AJ doesn't know what to do. He doesn't like to ask help of his pregnant aunt, and as a boy starting secondary school, he very much wants to be able to concentrate on his favourite thing - running. Running has always been important to him, and he is very good at it. The family live near the Olympic Stadium in London, and AJ desperately wants to run the track some day. His Grandad was good at running too, and one of the things he misses most is their regular runs in the park. There is lots he misses about his grandfather, not the least of which is that he was so helpful in the family's everyday life. One of his best memories is of the time they went to the Olympics and saw Usain Bolt win the 100 meters. AJ wants to impress his new PE teacher, Mr Higgins, with his prowess on the track, but it is only at school when he tries on his trainers for the first time over summer that he realises he has grown and they seriously don't fit any more. He comes last in the race against his rival Amit and is horrified. Mr Higgins begins by being the usual rough-tongued PE teacher, but turns out to be understanding and supportive of AJ. This is very much a family story, told by AJ himself and full of his own thoughts and feelings about his parents, his grandfather, his running, his young cousin Aisha, whom he loves dearly, and about the world in general. The characterisation is excellent, the people very real, and AJ grows up remarkably during this difficult time in his life. When Aunt Josephine comes to realise the practical problems caused by Grandad's death, she is able to take on the helping role, and AJ can begin to live life as he should as a now twelve year old. Beautifully written and full of life and verve and interest, this is a novel difficult to put down and will prove a great read to kids with similar problems.