Fauja Singh Keeps Going

The True Story of the Oldest Person to Ever Run a Marathon

Illustrated by Baljinder Kaur
The true story of Fauja Singh, who broke world records to become the first one hundred-year-old to run a marathon, shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to positive representation of the Sikh community.

Every step forward is a victory.

Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential.

He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race.

With exuberant text by Simran Jeet Singh and exhilarating illustrations by Baljinder Kaur, the true story of Fauja Singh reminds us that it's both where we start and how we finish that make our journeys unforgettable.
© Ryan Lash
Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D is Executive Director for the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and a visiting professor of history and religion at Union Theological Seminary. He is a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, and in 2020 TIME magazine recognized him among sixteen people fighting for a more equal America. He is a columnist for the Religion News Service, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CNN. Singh is the author of the award-winning children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going. He lives in New York City with his family. View titles by Simran Jeet Singh

Educator Guide for Fauja Singh Keeps Going

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

PRAISE FOR FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING

An NPR Best Book of 2020
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2020
A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Younger Readers of 2020
A 2021 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List pick
A University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Best Book for Young Readers 2020
A Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee 2022
A 2021-2022 VA READS Picture Book Winner
International Literacy Association Notable Book for a Global Society 2021


"Uplifting." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[An] engaging picture book... with an inspirational message and strong cultural content." --School Library Journal

"A powerful and utterly unique biography about a modern hero of great character and perseverance through disability, adversity, bigotry, and personal loss." --Booklist

"An inspirational story about persevering in the face of hardship." -Kirkus Reviews

About

The true story of Fauja Singh, who broke world records to become the first one hundred-year-old to run a marathon, shares valuable lessons on the source of his grit, determination to overcome obstacles, and commitment to positive representation of the Sikh community.

Every step forward is a victory.

Fauja Singh was born determined. He was also born with legs that wouldn't allow him to play cricket with his friends or carry him to school miles from his village in Punjab. But that didn't stop him. Working on his family's farm, Fauja grew stronger to meet his own full potential.

He never stopped striving. At the age of 81, after a lifetime of making his body, mind, and heart stronger, Fauja decided to run his first marathon. He went on to break records all around the world and became the first person over 100 to complete the grueling long-distance race.

With exuberant text by Simran Jeet Singh and exhilarating illustrations by Baljinder Kaur, the true story of Fauja Singh reminds us that it's both where we start and how we finish that make our journeys unforgettable.

Author

© Ryan Lash
Simran Jeet Singh, Ph.D is Executive Director for the Religion & Society Program at the Aspen Institute and a visiting professor of history and religion at Union Theological Seminary. He is a Soros Equality Fellow with the Open Society Foundations, and in 2020 TIME magazine recognized him among sixteen people fighting for a more equal America. He is a columnist for the Religion News Service, and his work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and on CNN. Singh is the author of the award-winning children’s book Fauja Singh Keeps Going. He lives in New York City with his family. View titles by Simran Jeet Singh

Guides

Educator Guide for Fauja Singh Keeps Going

Classroom-based guides appropriate for schools and colleges provide pre-reading and classroom activities, discussion questions connected to the curriculum, further reading, and resources.

(Please note: the guide displayed here is the most recently uploaded version; while unlikely, any page citation discrepancies between the guide and book is likely due to pagination differences between a book’s different formats.)

Praise

PRAISE FOR FAUJA SINGH KEEPS GOING

An NPR Best Book of 2020
A New York Public Library Best Book of 2020
A Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Younger Readers of 2020
A 2021 Texas Topaz Nonfiction Reading List pick
A University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education Best Book for Young Readers 2020
A Rhode Island Children's Book Award Nominee 2022
A 2021-2022 VA READS Picture Book Winner
International Literacy Association Notable Book for a Global Society 2021


"Uplifting." --Publishers Weekly, starred review

"[An] engaging picture book... with an inspirational message and strong cultural content." --School Library Journal

"A powerful and utterly unique biography about a modern hero of great character and perseverance through disability, adversity, bigotry, and personal loss." --Booklist

"An inspirational story about persevering in the face of hardship." -Kirkus Reviews

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