Through the character of Owen Morgan, this book is written in a way that makes it especially enjoyable to children, but it can truly be enjoyed by adults and children alike.

Bree Donovan takes the reader on a journey through the ups and downs of Pre's life and as Owen grows and learns from watching him, we get the chance to learn, grow and be inspired. It is an unforgettable true story of a real -life hero.



Nancy Celebre
New Jersey
elementary teacher and mother of two

Bree captured the essence of Pre, the essence of growing up in a small town in Oregon in the 50's and 60's and developing the love and fierce pride of school and community. How important it is to remember your loyalties throughout your life.
This is so much more than a book about Pre the runner. This explains some of what made Pre Pre.

By Mary Paczesniak
Coos Bay, Oregon

a delightful and emotional read. A book with a purposeful lesson about how to grow up a winner. How a young man avoided the pitfalls of growing up in a small Oregon town, thanks to the coaches and friends and family who instilled a great ethic of loyalty and hard work.

Bree Donovan's Steve Prefontaine: Rocketman is a delight! Prefontaine's legacy has generated marathons, ad campaigns, and products. What this book does is bring his legacy of inspiration to us all. Having his family intimately involved in the writing of this book makes it all that much more sweeter. Generously giving of the proceeds to Prefontaine's school makes it even more amazing. It continues the legacy of Prefontaine to hundreds of children. Thank you.
Trish Price
Books By The Bay
North Bend, OR

The term ‘blockbuster’ is often used recklessly these days – far too easily and with little understanding of what it actually means. This book is a blockbuster. Why? Because it breaks open the received conventions of sports star biography.

It begins with a lyrical, almost mystical, exposition of Pre’s cosmic origins. It’s easy to forget that we all have cosmic origins, however you choose to define them. The final act of narrative takes us to the memorial service at Hayward Field, a passage so perfectly understated that it really does bring tears to the eyes. In between we have a rolling narrative of true anecdotes about the life, career and character of an inspired and inspirational person.

The narrator, Owen Morgan, is the only fictional character in the book. He’s a born loser, but he doesn’t lose. He learns through example that achievement is not about measurable results, but about having the confidence to be who you are and give of your best. As such, he isn’t fictional. He’s every kid who lacks the confidence to fully express themselves. And he speaks directly to them in a language they will understand. It even contains the odd timely warning against over-confidence.

If you want to be inspired, or even just moved, this book comes highly recommended.

As a sports fan, I knew just a little something about Steve Prefontaine's track records, but did not truly know his story until I read Rocketman. "Pre" was a man of great principle, and this book should be an inspiration to all readers, and a lesson about self-sacrifice and dignity.

The co-authors geared this story, all based on true events, toward the young reader, and it should be enjoyed by all boys and girls, and athletes and non-athletes alike. It is a terrific story, and it is quite apparent that Ms. Donovan and Ms. Prefontaine did this as a tribute, and as a labor of love.