Overview
A determined girl athlete deals with food insecurity and a new rivalry challenging her feminist ideals in this ""resonant"" (School Library Journal, starred review) upper middle grade coming-of-age story from author of The First Magnificent Summer, R.L. Toalson. Eighth-grader Leta ""Lightning"" Laurel is a big sister, a problem solver, and the star of her track team. Her dad's been out of the picture for more than a year, and food's gotten scarce at home. When Leta learns her mom's financial struggles are even worse than she'd thought, she hatches a plan to bring her dad home: she'll win district champion in the 400-meter dash, the newspaper will write about her, her mom will send the clipping to her dad, and her dad will remember he has daughters who need him. Because she'll be unforgettable. It should be easy; no one can beat her in the 400. But a new runner shows up, threatening Leta's top spot and her budding feminist beliefs about sisterhood. She works harder and harder in practice, trying to ensure the new girl won't ruin her perfect plan...until an injury sidelines her. How will she ever prove to her dad and the world that she's unforgettable? How will she prove it to herself?
Full Product Details
Author: R L Toalson
Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books
Imprint: Bound to Stay Bound Books
ISBN: 9798855184044
Pages: 339
Publication Date: 27 May 2025
Recommended Age: From 8 to 12 years
Audience:
Children/juvenile
,
Children / Juvenile
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Active
Availability: Available To Order
We have confirmation that this item is in stock with the supplier. It will be ordered in for you and dispatched immediately.
Reviews
* ""Toalson has crafted a novel that can be handed to anyone. Leta is a character that every reader will connect with and root for. Add in an embarrassing grandpa, a pain-in-the-neck little sister, and a supportive cast of friends, coaches, and teachers, and it's a story that will reach every reader.""-- ""--School Library Journal, starred review""
Author Information
R.L. Toalson grew up running wild through corn rows and cow-grazing fields and recording true and wildly exaggerated false tales to entertain her friends, family members, and anyone who would listen. She still runs (literally) wild through the streets of her city and spends most of her days recording true (if a little exaggerated) and false tales to entertain anyone who will listen. She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her one brilliant husband, six delightful children, and two arrogant cats. She's the author of The Colors of the Rain, which won the Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor Award for New Voices in 2020; The Woods, which received a starred review from Booklist; and the highly acclaimed The First Magnificent Summer. Visit her at RachelToalson.com.
