Cassette tapes, rotary dial telephones, no computers ... it's a blast of kiwiana past in this 1980's tale of overcoming bullying and failure out on that icon of a Kiwi kid's childhood - the school cross-country run. 
For ten-year-old Braden Miller, the Cross Country is always a total nightmare, the worst day of his life each and every year. When his new teacher insists on the class finding out what 'Kiwi Spirit' is and bringing some of the run, Braden is certain he will fail, not yet at the run but also at the strange homework. 
With new challenges before him on the senior course, Braden will have to face his fears and failures if he is going to complete the course. Will the example of New Zealanders that have gone before be enough to inspire Braden to succeed?
 
From the author:  This story is inspired by a true event in my life. When I was at a small rural primary school in the early 1980s  I used to dread the school Cross Country. The event was much longer than that of primary schools today and it took several hours for the slower kids like myself to complete it. Because I was at a very small school, all the ages were mixed together. I wasn’t the youngest but I was the slowest!  I will never forget trying to run down the dusty gravel road that seemed to go on forever, and finally making it back to the school grounds hoping to sneak in without being noticed. Instead, one of the teachers had all the children lined up on either side of the quad. She got them to all clap loudly for me. It was one of the most embarrassing moments of my life!
The boy in this story, Braden Miller, is told by his teacher to bring some ‘kiwi spirit’ to the Cross Country. Uncertain what that means, he asks his nana who shares stories of famous New Zealanders who displayed different aspects of ‘kiwi spirit.’ Will those stories help Braden conquer the Cross Country course, or will he give up and fail? Read on to find out! The story is set in the 1980s so keep an eye out for things that have changed since then!