Chasing Hope

Jake is an angry, hard nosed, working class distance runner fighting for a scholarship and a way out. Keinan is a Somali refugee just trying to survive. Together, the pair create an unforgettable cross country season. Jake dreams of the running scholarship to Northwestern State University awarded annually to the top senior from his county. However, to achieve his lofty goal Jake must work to overcome the challenge of an alcoholic mother, absent father and a team with no running tradition. While Jake struggles with his challenges in America, Keinan's idyllic life in Somalia is torn apart by a warlord who attacks his beautiful village. Keinan and his brother face many challenges as they travel across Somalia attempting to reach the relative safety of a Kenyan refugee camp. Keinan eventually ends up as a refugee in Jake's hometown where his distance running skills are soon discovered. Will Keinan's phenomenal running talent help pull Jake forward or will Keinan earn the scholarship for himself and crush Jake's dream? "Chasing Hope" follows this unlikely pair as they fight for survival and bond over running. "Chasing Hope" explores classism, racism, and religious tolerance in an engaging, exciting and thought provoking manner. All net proceeds from sales of "Chasing Hope: A Distance Running Novel" will be donated to education and youth running programs serving at risk students .