It's 1979, and just over three years since eleven-year-old Jacob McKnight's brother was killed. His father, a hard-nosed Scot, has taken to long-distance running, pushing Jacob to go further and further down Sterling Road. But Jacob doesn't like running. He hates the hills especially - they bring on memories of his brother's broken body, his parents' shattered marriage. He tries to make sense of things by filling in his "Anatomy Colouring Book", sneaking into the local chocolate factory with his mates, befriending the abused dog across the way and, finally, by going the long haul with his dad. This is a gripping, often funny tale of a boy coming to terms with his bewildering loss.