The Unforgettable Leta "Lightning" Laurel

by R.L. Toalson

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 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?

Genres: Sports, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Juvenile, Mental Health, Family, Contemporary

352 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 27, 2025

About the author

Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor award-winning MG author, poet | THE COLORS OF THE RAIN | THE WOODS | wife, mom of 6 (boys), long-distance runner, tea drinker

Reviews

[Kelsey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is hard enough when you're in eighth grade, but Leta has more to carry than a typical eighth grader. Money is very tight since her dad left, with her mom working extra to try to keep things afloat. Leta is often in charge of her younger sister, Amelia, who resents what feels like mothering from Leta. Leta is a stand-out track athlete at her middle school and gets it into her head that she could bring her dad back to the family if she could just win the district meet and give him something to be proud of. Leta's world is filled with supportive well-meaning adults who are all doing the best they can - her mother, her grandfather, friends, teachers, and her track coach all care for her, but none of them quite see the big picture. This story touches on food insecurity, disordered eating, bullying and harassment, shifting friendships, family responsibilities, and athletic competition. Let is secretive about a stress injury because she doesn't want to be kept from her training and she doesn't want her mother to incur the expense of seeking medical care. Leta's reluctance to receive help is paralleled by her mother's reluctance to apply for financial/food assistance, despite the family's growing need. Coach Mac works at empowering the girls on the track team and is particularly devoted to helping them understand the needs of their bodies, in particular how awareness of their monthly cycles can help them adjust their training and nutrition for optimal performance. That, and a scene in which Leta's friends coach her through using a tampon for the first time, mark a refreshing approach to the realities of living in a female body. Toalson brings Leta's social, emotional, and physical needs to the forefront of the story and, ultimately, shows that Leta doesn't need to earn the right to have those needs met. An extended author's note reflects upon the history of women's sports and shares portions of Toalson's background that are echoed in Leta's story.

Highly recommended to readers in grades 5-8.

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

R.L. Toalson (The First Magnificent Summer) tackles food insecurity, absent parent, body image, divorce, harassment/bullying, discrepancies in funding for male/female sports seamlessly in her latest novel aimed at grades 5-8.

Leta is an 8th grader, stellar at running the 400 and not so great at figuring out how to get her father to remember that he has two daughters that not only need him in their lives but could also use some financial help. Mom works two jobs, younger sister Amelia can’t seem to follow the staying at home alone rules, and her Pop stands in the gap as much as he can while also embarrassing her with his continual long distance running in his teeny-tiny shorts. When injury and a new track team member threaten Leta’s plan to win district in order to recapture her father’s attention, she must rediscover her love for running for its own sake, find a way to forgive a teammate and accept another one onto the team.

Strong, sympathetic main characters and even with all the issues being thrown at Leta, the entire storyline feels very genuine. Sadly, divorce and subsequent financial hardship, teen/tween bullying, and poverty are very real issues experience simultaneously by so many. Reading Leta’s story may help those in the midst of similar to feel less isolated and give other readers a glimpse into a life different from their own and give them the ability to support classmates who are. Using Leta’s coach, Toalson also includes a great deal of information about how menstruation and insufficient calorie intact affects athletic training and finds an ingenious way to include instructions for using a tampon.

Text is free of profanity, violence and sexual content. Strong choice for collections needing fiction centering on female sports. Back matter includes information on Title IX as well as factoring menstruation into training programs.

[Miranda · Rating 3 out of 5]

+Themes brought up in the book, character relationships, foucs on running esp relating to period, realsitic middle school/emotions/challenges.

-Most of the themes brought up were not fully explored. Leta starts to restrict calories and then suddenly stops and this is never brought up again. I expected something like this to resolve only after a 'consequence' ie she passes out and has to confront the problem head on. Likewise, I expected this to happen with her foot injury, her mom's money issues, and the problem with her dad leaving. Instead things mostly fizzle. Also a little frustrated at 'everyone is part of the sisterhood, even boys' messaging.

*No relationships, crush on a boy classmate.
*No swearing.
*One brief mention of TQ+ identities, no SSA.

[Glenna Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leta's father left three years before and never sends support money for her, her mom, or her little sister Amelia. In fact, he never contacts them at all. Leta's greatest fear is begin forgettable. She hatches a scheme to win regionals with her 400 win for her school track team so that her dad will remember his daughters. An injury, a new runner on the team, and changing friendships and family relationships forces Leta to consider why she runs--can she enjoy running only for herself, or is she destined to forget why she runs? Leta's story examines to impacts of abandonment, divorce, and poverty on children and how a strong community can help children move beyond a poverty mentality.

[Lauren M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book! Toalson was able to write a wonderful story to show what lessons running can teach us, both on and off the course, in ways that both middle grade kiddos and adults can appreciate!

This book tackles womanhood, sisterhood, family struggles, disordered eating, anxiety, and bullying. Leta and her classmates were written so well; they actually read like middle schoolers! They were so witty and relatable!

This is a great book to give to that budding young woman in your life, whether they run or not!
But to the runners out there, please read this book!

[Steph · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is third Rachel Toalson book I’ve read in the past two years, and every time I can feel the author’s experience in the words she writes and the feelings her characters express.

In addition to themes of running, divorce, poverty, and coming of age as a girl in middle school, this story is such a strong reminder of the power of a sisterhood and of forgiveness, too.

A perfect story for middle school kids, especially those who have felt like they have less or are less than their peers. (And hopefully after reading, they’ll realize just how special and unforgettable they are!)

[Suzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Leta loves running, but she thinks if she can win the big race it will help bring her dad back to her and her sister. Along the way she is experiencing some middle school bullying and trying to figure out where she fits in.
She also deals with body image issues and not always having enough food at home.
I loved that her Pops tries to help her figure out why she runs and not to do it for anyone else.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this middle grade novel about Leta, a runner, who is hoping that her running accomplishments will make her absentee Dad want to come back and be part of the family. When a new runner moves in to the school district and Leta's foot starts hurting every time she takes a step, Leta becomes panicked that her dreams of running glory won't come true. I liked the way the author also managed to share information about running and being a female in athletics.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'll be honest, this was not my favorite book. It is geared HEAVILY towards girl readers (lots of talk about periods, a scene on how to use a tampon, and lots of feminism) which is great, but something that I think might be a hard sell for its target audience of middle school readers. Beyond that, it felt long. The narrative dragged a bit and could have easily been 50 pages shorter without losing anything.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leta is destined to be a legend, if only she can outrun her fears, sadness, and worry. The wisdom of Leta’s coach and Pops and the loyalty of her two best friends are described in subtle but effective ways. The girl power was impressive.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great bk abt determination as Leta tries to win her absent dad back by winning the 400 meter dash. Can she do it? #sisterhood #friends #family Loved Pop.

[Christina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Completely AWESOME! You'll root for Leta from the moment you meet her.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Bridge · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a great read. Many important topics were part of the story of Leta, an 8th grader on her school’s track team. Very realistic.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great empowerment book for girls! Read “Coach Mac-budget.” Page 5-7

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

Leta lives with her mother and younger sister Amelia, and the family is struggling since the father has moved out. The mother works two jobs, and still struggles to put food on the table. Pops, the mother's father, helps out, but he is still running a heating and cooling business. He's also a manic runner at 65, sometimes going 18 miles a day, and lives in a retirement facility. Leta has picked up his passion for running, and is determined to be the best at the 400 yard race. It's tough, though, when she has to glue the sole of her running shoes back together, and doesn't have enough fuel for her body. Coach Mac is fairly understanding, and provides her runners with sports bras, food, and information about their periods and health. Even Coach Mac, though, can't provide new shoes. Leta is too ashamed to get free lunch, even though her friends Chrissy, Raina, and Sabrina also have backgrounds where there is some struggle. Leta wants to do really well in the upcoming state meets, hoping that her father will read the write up in the newspaper and come back to visit, especially since Amelia is looking forward to a daddy-daughter dance. When there's no food in the house, Pops often takes the girls out for fast food, and Leta starts to pick at this, even though Coach Mac talks to the runners frequently about eating disorders and how detrimental poor diet can be to runners' health. Since Leta often sees her mother eat less than she needs, this example sometimes speaks more loudly. On top of these serious challanges, there are standard middle school issues like whether to shave her legs, problems with Amelia, new girl Natalie, mean girls Briana and Brooke, and the crush that Leta has on Benny. When over training leads to a possible stress fracture, Leta decides to run through the pain to hopefully still win her race. Pops helps by showing her how to train in a pool, but stress fractures don't get better on their own. Will Leta and her mother finally be able to ask for help and find a better way forward.
Strengths: I'm always a fan of books about running, and Leta's challenges with training will speak to a lot of readers. Pops is a fantastic character, and I love that he is still running in his short shorts! His difficult relationship with Leta's mother is echoed in Leta's relationship with her own father. Leta often has to take care of Amelia, and we don't see this portrayed enough in middle grade literature; I loved that Amelia chafed under Leta's supervision and had her own after school agenda. Coach Mac tries to be aware of all of the challenges facing her athletes, but can't see every need. There is excellent information about periods, and even a scene where Leta's friends instruct her on how to use a tampon through the bathroom door. While Leta deals with a lot of difficult situations, there is an air of hope about her story, and a satisfying ending.
Weaknesses: Free and reduced lunch programs, like other details about schools, vary from place to place. In my district, students have an account number that they give to the cafeteria, and no one knows if they have free lunch, or if their parents put money in the account. We also have a "share box", and Leta could pick up as many carrots and apples as she could eat, and other schools in my district even have food pantries. Other areas might be more like Leta's school. I would have liked to see a little more of the mother, but her absence drives much of the plot. Seeing more of Leta's relationship with Benny would also have lightened the mood.
What I really think: This is a great choice for readers who liked Gerber's Taking Up Space, Dunlap's Racing the Clouds, or Morrison's Keeping Pace. If Barbara Dee wrote a novel with sports, it would read a bit like this title.

[Chrissy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Several things ring true about Leta's story, from the pressure on an older sibling with a working parent, to the sideways we try to earn love from others. Leta is a tough kid in a tough situation, but she maintains her integrity and finds a way to be herself. I appreciate both the coach and her grandfather thinking they have said and done all the correct things to keep Leta healthy, and yet she still pushes herself too far in her sport. I found this very realistic and as a parent, scary.