Patina – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Patina

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2018

84%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A foster kid with a sick mom learns that running relay means trusting people—even when you're used to doing everything alone.

Patina

book

2018

84%

WISE Score

4.7

Amazon

A foster kid with a sick mom learns that running relay means trusting people—even when you're used to doing everything alone.

4.7

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4.7

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Screenwise Verdict

This is Jason Reynolds doing what he does best: writing middle school kids who feel real, dealing with problems that matter, in a voice that never talks down to readers.

Patty's story is heavy—her mom has diabetes and lost both legs, she's in foster care with her little sister, she's the scholarship kid at a fancy new school where she doesn't fit in. But Reynolds never makes it feel like a trauma dump. Instead, it's a story about a girl who's been running solo her whole life learning that maybe, just maybe, it's okay to pass the baton sometimes.

The track team framework works beautifully as both literal plot and metaphor. And the 4.7 Amazon rating suggests this one lands with kids who need to see their own struggles reflected back, or who need a window into what life looks like for classmates dealing with stuff they can't see.

Not the lightest read, but absolutely worth it for the right middle schooler.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-13, right in the middle-grade sweet spot. The emotional maturity needed to handle parental illness and foster care themes makes it better for upper elementary and middle school rather than younger readers, even if they're strong readers.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Jason Reynolds delivers emotionally honest storytelling about family struggle, disability, and learning to trust others. Patty's dealing with heavy stuff—her mom's diabetes, foster care, feeling like an outsider at a new school—but the book handles it with warmth and age-appropriate depth. The track team dynamics model cooperation and the importance of asking for help, even when you're used to doing everything alone. No toxic relationships or mean-spirited content, just real middle school emotions.

Imaginative

Reynolds brings creative energy to the sports novel format with his signature style—punchy prose, authentic voice, and fresh metaphors. The track team concept is well-executed, and Patty's internal world feels vivid. However, this is ultimately a realistic contemporary story, not one that pushes imaginative boundaries or invites open-ended creative play. It's more about emotional truth than fantastical exploration.

Safe

Extremely safe for middle-grade readers. The difficult topics (parental illness, foster care, economic struggle) are handled with sensitivity and age-appropriateness. No violence, no inappropriate content, no surprises that would shock a young reader. The emotional weight is real but never traumatizing. This is exactly the kind of book you can hand to a 10-year-old without concern.

Enriching

Strong enrichment value across multiple dimensions. Patty's story builds empathy for kids dealing with family illness, foster care, and economic disparity. The relay running metaphor—learning to depend on teammates—offers genuine insight about interdependence and vulnerability. Reynolds centers Black middle-grade experience authentically. Readers get exposure to diabetes ('The Sugar'), blended families, and class differences at a new private school. The 4.7 Amazon rating and consistent 10-12 age recommendations suggest it resonates deeply with its audience.

Parent Info

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Why It Might Be Great

Jason Reynolds writes middle school kids like he can read their minds—authentic voice, punchy prose, real emotions without melodrama
Tackles serious topics (parental diabetes, foster care, economic inequality) with age-appropriate honesty and warmth
The relay metaphor is perfect: Patty has to learn that asking for help isn't weakness, and that's a lesson every middle schooler needs
Centers Black middle-grade experience and diverse family structures without making it feel like an 'issue book'
Part of the Track series but totally works as a standalone—you don't need to read Ghost first

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What to Watch For

Heavy emotional content around parental illness and amputation due to diabetes—may hit close to home for some families
Patty's dealing with foster care and the fear of losing her mom permanently, which is real and sad (but age-appropriate)
Some kids might find the pacing slow if they're expecting constant action—this is more internal struggle than track meet drama

Conversation Starters

"Patty calls her mom's diabetes 'The Sugar.' Why do you think she uses that nickname instead of the medical term?"
"Have you ever felt like Patty—like you had to do everything yourself because asking for help felt too scary? What happened?"
"Patty's worried about fitting in at her new fancy school. What makes it hard to be the 'new kid,' especially when everyone else seems different from you?"
"Why do you think Coach wants Patty to run relay when she's so good at running alone? What's he trying to teach her?"

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