Hurdles in the Dark

February 26, 2024
In sixth grade, Gonzalez lives in a house in Laredo, Tex., with 12 unemployed adults, including her single mother, in a neighborhood called “Ghost Town.” While attending a wedding in Mexico at 14, her mother is kidnapped, and Gonzalez is given one day to raise $40,000 to secure her mother’s release. Though she succeeds, she’s traumatized by the event. Her home life deteriorates and, following time spent in juvenile detention, Gonzalez determines that a college education is the only thing that will improve her financial situation, but her subpar academics won’t get her there. Set on winning a sports scholarship by running hurdles, she trains, pushing her body to the limit. When she’s approached by a renowned track coach, Gonzalez feels as if her luck is turning around—until their coach-student relationship starts to change. Gonzalez offers a glimpse into the challenges she faced navigating financial precarity, racism, sexual abuse, and violence through candid and insightful text, culminating in a raw and powerful debut. A foreword contextualizes the subject’s upbringing, and an afterword offers further information about the topics discussed. Ages 14–up.

March 15, 2024
An athlete shares her journey from her childhood barrio in Texas to the collegiate track. Fourteen-year-old Elvira Kristelle "Kristy" Gonzalez had 24 hours to raise $40,000 to rescue her mother from the kidnappers across the border in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico, who had abducted her following a wedding. Caught in the middle of drug-fueled violence, Kristy's life took a shocking turn. Instead of racing boys to help her friends win bets, she had to race the clock to save her mother's life. When Ma returned, utterly traumatized by the experience, Kristy was deeply affected, too--"I try looking into her eyes, but every time I do, they haunt me." Kristy became suicidal but had to deal with her own severe trauma alone. She decided to seek a path to higher education by getting a hurdling scholarship. But she faced trial after trial--from landing in juvie at 16 following constant fighting with Ma to being groomed and abused by a coach. Kristy found herself continually jumping over hurdles, both figuratively and literally. In this perceptive narrative, moments of joy, confidence, and light contrast with the depths of confusion, hurt, and darkness, highlighting the struggles that many vulnerable young athletes from underrepresented backgrounds face. The author pays homage to her Tejana heritage throughout, often using Spanish phrases that are explained in English in context. An unfiltered and honest account of perseverance, resilience, and defying the odds. (afterword, bibliography, recommended reading, resources) (Memoir. 14-18)

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April 15, 2024
Grades 8-12 In an honest and uncensored narrative, Gonzalez provides a look at her childhood during a time when she was extremely scared and vulnerable. She discusses how a drug cartel kidnapped her mother and demanded a ransom. The book also includes her time in one of the worst juvenile detention centers in Texas, which eventually led to her becoming a strong hurdle and sprint competitor in state and national championships. This book provides an intimate look at her life and how, through hard work, determination, and grit, she overcame and survived. The book includes themes that are far too common in young adults' lives, especially those in sports: predatory adults, sexual misconduct and abuse, and manipulation. This book can be viewed as a stepping stone for young adults on a path to finding their voice and speaking out against sexual abuse. The author writes about herself in a smooth, approachable style, which makes this memoir read like a novel instead of a traditional biography. Strongly recommended for public and high-school libraries.

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November 15, 2024

Gr 9 Up-Mexican American athlete and track star Gonzalez delves into overcoming immense challenges in her life. The majority of her memoir centers on her high school career as a track and field hurdler. She saw the sport as her opportunity to earn a college scholarship and to make a better life for herself. Gonzalez had to jump many hurdles in her life as well, including leaving the barrio where all her family lived, raising $40,000 to save her kidnapped mother who crossed the border for a wedding, being arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center, and sexual abuse by her coach. Despite these obstacles, Gonzalez was a nationally ranked track star and received a full college athletic scholarship until a series of injuries resulted in her losing her scholarship. Gonzalez later created a thriving track and field club team as a coach and went back to school to become a first-generation college graduate. There are so many life lessons packed into this memoir. Readers will be absorbed by Gonzalez's honest account of her setbacks and triumphs, utilizing many journals and diaries she kept growing up. The tone shifts to the adult Gonzalez for the afterword; it is here that she explains her life lessons, her college experiences, and more. She also talks more about the darker side of sports, including grooming and sexual abuse, and the importance of mental health and finding the right help. VERDICT Highly recommended for any high school library in need more memoirs emphasizing the importance of sports and mental health.-Jeni Tahaney

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