Running Barefoot- Amy Harmon

[aarohibrar]

Having lost her mother way too young, Josie has fulfilled the role of sister, daughter, mother and companion to her father and brothers. At the age of 13, she is more mature, calm, collected, and responsible than most girls her age. When she is not busy with household chores, she is either learning to play piano or reading yet another classic literature. With her high school bus taking an hour of her time to and from school, Josie prefers to utilise it by reading books. Especially since the seat assigned to her in the bus is beside a boy, new to school, who determinedly minds his own business and hardly ever utters a word to her. It comes as a surprise when he asks her for her help with an English assignment that requires him to review Wuthering Heights. Going back and forth at ideas for the assignment, Josie learns she has formed a deep and profound connection with the eighteen year old Samuel, without meaning to. She soon learns of Samuel’s raging hunger to join the Marines in an effort to make his mark in the world and prove his worth to those that ever doubted him. Right after school, he joins the Marines, prior to which he promises Josie he would write to her as often as possible. It is a promise made in all honesty but when the letters stop coming a few years later, Josie has no choice but to put her feelings for Samuel at rest. Several years and numerous incidents later, when Samuel re-enters her life, he finds Josie to be just a shadow of the girl she used to be. Her spirit that once shone brighter than the sun, has now seamlessly dissolved into the pitch black night sky. Can Samuel bring her back to life? Can he re-awaken her passion for music, literature and playing the piano? Or has the connection they once shared broken beyond repair and it’s too little too late?
All of us at some point in life, feel like misfits even though the mold in question is perfect. This story of two young children, helping each other out and looking out for one another, without any ulterior motive teaches more about humanity than any other lesson possibly can. I particularly love the part where Samuel and Josie find their roles reversed upon Samuel's return. As kids, she was the one who served as the anchor in his life when he was burning with discontentment and the need to fit in, and now she is the one that needs taking care of, the one that needs to be found again. Without worrying about making politically correct statements, I'm going to go ahead and say, that going on living without reading this book is a crime in itself. Enough said?