Welcome to the Racing the Clouds by Sydney Dunlap Book Tour hosted by TBR & Beyond Book Tours. 

About Racing the Clouds

If thirteen-year-old Sage had done one thing differently that day last November, everything would be fine. Only she didn’t, so she and her dad had to leave Philadelphia for a new life in middle-of-nowhere Virginia. Her dad has never actually said he blames her for what happened, but how could he not?

Sage is determined to push it all out of her mind, but then, just before summer vacation, she hears from the grandparents she’s never met. They want her to visit, and she realizes this could be her chance to mend the rift that’s kept everybody apart.

When she meets Grandmother Marion, though, Sage is sure her trip is headed for disaster. Except she wasn’t counting on making a new friend or rescuing a sweet stray dog. With them by her side, maybe she can find the courage to face what she’s been avoiding all along.

From the award-winning author of It Happened on Saturday comes a heartfelt and empowering story that explores the complexity of family relationships, the value of forgiveness, and how to find your way forward in a tough situation with resilience and hope.

Content warning: addiction, family member in rehab, substance abuse, parental separation, grief

Praise for Racing the Clouds

“Sage’s voice rings with the authenticity of a compassionate, thoughtful kid who’s struggling between wanting to take care of everyone else, wanting someone to take care of her, and wanting to just run away and leave everyone to deal with their own toxicity.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books

“Starring a relatable and compassionate character who’s stronger than she should have to be, Racing the Clouds is a compelling page-turner about forgiveness, rebuilding from wreckage, and letting go of secrets when they’re too heavy to hold on to.” —Lynne Kelly, USA Today best-selling author of Song for a Whale and The Secret Language of Birds

“Racing the Clouds is a powerful story about how someone who’s experienced devastation can once more get a hold on love and goodness. Dunlap’s voice is exceptional, and her stunning book is a new must-read for middle graders.” —Claire Swinarski, author of What Happened to Rachel Riley?

“Told with touching honesty and profound sympathy, Racing the Clouds lovingly reminds us about the importance of having the hard conversations, the value of standing in another person’s shoes for a while, and the extraordinary resilience of family.” —Kate Albus, author of A Place to Hang the Moon

“A remarkable story about a teenage girl shouldering the burden of everyone around her. This strong child deals with a parental addiction, blame shaming, tough situations, and grandparents she has never met. The author did an amazing job layering life lessons that make us stronger through perseverance. Don’t let the middle grade level deter you from reading this jewel.” -Kim Wilch, One More Exclamation 

About the Author

Sydney Dunlap is an award-winning author and former elementary school teacher who has worked extensively with youth facing challenging circumstances. She enjoys reading and writing heartfelt, hopeful books that explore tough topics that aren’t often addressed in middle grade literature. Her 2023 debut novel, It Happened on Saturday, has received several medals and was named a 2024 OLA Masterlist selection and Crystal Kite Honor Book. Her next book, Racing the Clouds, releases 2/18/25. A lifelong animal lover, Sydney lives with her family in a home where the dogs and cats outnumber the people.

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Racing the Cloud Book Tour

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