The following version of the book was used to create this study guide: Reynolds, Jason. Patina (Track Book 2). Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, New York, New York, 2017. Kindle AZW file.

Patina Jones was six years old when her father, Ronnie, died. He had put himself through culinary school and loved his family, including his wife Bev and their unborn daughter Maddy. Ronnie and Patina had pretended to eat cupcakes one evening, a frequent, fun tradition, and Ronnie died during the night. Bev began baking all of Ronnie's favorite recipes, and her diabetes spiraled out of control to the point that she had both legs amputated and needed dialysis three times each week. Patina was largely responsible for Maddy when they were young, but the family eventually made the decision for Ronnie's brother and his wife, Tony and Emily, to adopt Patina and Maddy. Patina and Maddy are now attending a charter school, Chester Academy, and Patina is a member of a track club. Since she was already friends with a couple of members of the track team, she quickly settles into making more friends within the team. However, she is struggling to make friends with others at Chester where most students are from wealthy families.

Patina and the members of her family are Black, with the exception of Emily. Patina spends every Sunday morning braiding Maddy's hair because Emily does not know how to cope with hair like Maddy's. Emily then drives Patina and Maddy to Bev's house and the three of them to church. She picks them up later, returning Bev home. Three days each week, Emily takes Bev to dialysis. Each day, she drives Patina and Maddy to school, then takes Patina to track and helps Maddy with homework. In the evenings, she cooks, cleans, and takes care of the girls' daily needs. Patina can tell that Emily is often tired by that point. One evening Patina insists on helping with the dishes. Emily reveals that her mother was a janitor at Chester, which is why Emily was able to attend there for a few years. She felt the education there was superior, even though she hated the social aspect of the school.

On Thursday, Emily has a wreck while taking Maddy to meet Maddy's class for a field trip. Patina is frantic until she learns that Maddy is not injured. Emily's injuries will heal, though she will need to spend a couple of days in the hospital. Patina immediately begins to wonder who will do all the things Emily usually does for them. Tony steps in immediately, taking Patina for track practice and taking Bev for a dialysis appointment.

On Saturday, Patina has a track meet. Tony calls on a friend to drive her. Bev, who is usually too tired to attend functions, is there to cheer for Patina. Over the course of the week, Patina has learned important lessons about teamwork and bravery. Patina's relay team takes the track for the first time during a meet. One of the girls drops a baton. Though Patina might have turned her back in anger, she has learned that her team needs her. So, she begins cheering with all her might, encouraging the others. She then takes her place on the track while telling herself to be brave as she faces her opponents. She is still in third place as she nears the end of the race.