The Highest Stand — Tonie Campbell

The Highest Stand takes an in-depth look at the 110 meter hurdles, as Dede Bartholomew Savage III runs in the final race of his track-and-field life. The book is written by three-time Olympian and world champion, Tonie Campbell. Told in flashbacks, we follow Dede on his journey through adolescence and toward his Olympic dream. It isn t always easy for Dede. As a kid, he wears glasses the size of CD s and pants that are as tight as his socks in other words, he s a nerd. The school bullies don t let him forget it, either. Through his struggles we learn valuable lessons about standing up for yourself. The Highest Stand won Best Juvenile Fiction at the San Diego Book Awards in 2004.