"An Incredible memoir, compelling and uplifting. The Writing is lovely, told with a strong voice, and a passion to communicate."

"A simple yet profound message ... an inspirinig story of a young man's journey through cancer treatment... a tale about strength of character and the power of hope."

"With impressive thoroughness and straightforward honesty, this memoir makes it blazingly clear how much BIGGER, stronger, more brightly shining, and clever he is than the trauma he experienced. Johnny Cathcart's personal power is undeniable and fantastically compelling."

"In vivdly descriptive, almost poetic prose, the author creates a full picture of his experiences, including observations of himself, those around, and the commentary to explain them.

His unique voice is personable and energetic, finding humor in tragedy and offering a message of hope."

"If you want to get on the inside of faith-encountering-adversity story, this is the one. Few young adults have been able to articulate the struggle of the spiritual journey in this way, how suffering puts all our religious presuppositions to the test. In these pages Johnny shares his life with us as a great gift."

"This book is the most insightful, meaningful, thoughtful, understandable description of the pain, frustration, agony, and spiritual warfare a runner faces that I have ever read."

"You can't put it down. This life captured in a book will grip your heart and pull you in. The words on these pages are more than just letters or symbols...they are a revelation of hope."

"This book is an amazing story about running, internal conflict, hope, God, family, and teamwork. It is a funny and entertaining read, while maintaining a unique and insightful theme."

"I so enjoyed the book. It was truly an inspiration and so well written. I honestly could not put it down. I really hated to see it end. I guess I have to go back to Patterson & Grisham now..."

" The book literally made me cry, and laugh out loud. It is an inspiration that carries a strong message. I would recommend this book to anyone..."

"Hotpants gives us all a lesson in breaking our chains and spitting on them, ala getting knocked down and getting back up again from Chumbawamba's Tubthumping song, though much more poignant and powerful."

"So here goes the story of my fork, a taste of the dinner served and how I swallowed it."

Thus ends the preface of Johnny Cathcart's book Hotpants. We can't always depend on life to turn out as we planned and the unexpected "fork" down which the author's life journey led him was indeed a bitter road to travel. Hotpants is the story of a  young man's battle with adolescence - a tough enough battle without being complicated by a serious illness. This alone would make a powerful narrative. But Johnny's story is full of optimism - so it is a hopeful and wonderful testimony. The optimism that appears throughout the book does not stop you from hurting as he vividly describes the painful patterns and recurring remedies of his illness. Yet this pervading positive spirit leads you from tears of despair to out-loud laughter at the pictures of middle school and high school as seen through the eyes of a not-so-typical teen struggling for normalcy.."

Even if you did not attend Bode Middle School or Central High School, the characters that emerge in Hotpants are readily identifiable to anyone subjected to the relentless rigors of classroom life. Close friends influence, yes, but also acquaintances, of whom we catch only glimpses as Johnny weaves his story. Students, teachers and coaches appear and reappear fleetingly in the book, leaving an unmistakable impression. Even Johnny's cat, the sizeable, irreplaceable Einstein, slips in and out as cats are wont to do, providing a certain sense of security that the reader can feel as if the cat itself were sitting in your lap.

If you are a runner, you will enjoy immensely the chapters describing the "cross country experience." If you are not a runner, the trials of cross country running will fascinate and inspire. The parallels between the author's grueling discipline for cross country meets and his relentless pursuit of getting his health back are expertly drawn in this book, enabling the reader to feel both the exhilaration of a cross country race and the exasperation of ringing ears due to the chemotherapy.

If you get the impression that this book will be too sad, please do not hesitate. Hotpants is hilariously funny. As Cathcart himself describes his purpose in the final chapter: "My mission is to get my story out, to lift up the spirit of my cat, lift up people that are different, glorify distance running and unveil the joys of breakfast cereal." Johnny's sense of humor overwhelms.

Lastly, this is a story of faith. A faith that had its beginnings in fear of separation from family evolves into a faith that keeps the author running, a faith that abides, a faith that sustains. Cathcart does not hammer us with trite expressions of "God will get me through it," but from reading his incredible story we know deep down inside that "God got him through it." This is a most remarkable book in which a deep relationship with God comes from the depths of closeness to death.

I cannot wait to see the movie.