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Leave It on the Track
From Reese's Book Club LitUp Fellow Margot Fisher, a moving debut about healing, self-acceptance, and queer first love set on a roller derby team
Morgan "Moose" Shaker barely survived the fire that killed her fathers in their beloved roller rink in small-town Utah. Now she has to move to Portland to live with her much older half-sister, Eden. Eden's doing her best, but she's hardly ready to be a parent to a sixteen-year-old she hasn't seen in years. Plus barely-out-of-the-closet Moose worries that she's not ready for super-affirming, rainbow-flags-everywhere Portland. Her anxiety and frustration are at peak levels.
Fortunately, Moose finds an outlet for her emotions and a surprising group of friends in roller derby. Her teammates help her grieve her dads and confront her queer imposter syndrome. And even though it's against league rules, she might be falling for a teammate.
Heartfelt, funny, and romantic, this debut will make you want to lace up your skates, pull on your pads, and hit the track.
Morgan "Moose" Shaker barely survived the fire that killed her fathers in their beloved roller rink in small-town Utah. Now she has to move to Portland to live with her much older half-sister, Eden. Eden's doing her best, but she's hardly ready to be a parent to a sixteen-year-old she hasn't seen in years. Plus barely-out-of-the-closet Moose worries that she's not ready for super-affirming, rainbow-flags-everywhere Portland. Her anxiety and frustration are at peak levels.
Fortunately, Moose finds an outlet for her emotions and a surprising group of friends in roller derby. Her teammates help her grieve her dads and confront her queer imposter syndrome. And even though it's against league rules, she might be falling for a teammate.
Heartfelt, funny, and romantic, this debut will make you want to lace up your skates, pull on your pads, and hit the track.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published November 18, 2025
24 people are currently reading
3962 people want to read
About the author
Margot Fisher
1 book32 followersMargot Fisher (she/her) is a writer of queer books for young adults, a roller derby athlete, and a Capricorn, among other things. She was selected as a Reese’s Book Club LitUp fellow in 2023. Margot writes from Portland, Oregon, where she lives with a dog and a garden that’s always a little out of control.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
September 10, 2025
So I’m trying this new thing where I don’t read the description of books I’ve added to my list before I actually read them so I can go in sort of blind and let me tell you, this was a WILD one to try that with. I picked up what I was sure would be a pretty standard sports romance (gay ofc because roller derby) and then the first chapter rocked me and I realized I had no idea what I was in for. But I digress…
I really enjoyed this one! I’ll leave it vague in case you’re like me and want to go in blind, but it follows the story of a high-school girl named Moose who moves in with her sister after a tragedy and joins roller derby. As a former player of a mostly queer, niche sport (shoutout to ultimate frisbee), the derby aspect was super fun and not knowing anything about it beforehand, I’ve gathered that it is something I would very much like to watch and something I never want to play. While it was a pretty major part of the book, the actual focus on gameplay wasn’t too much, even if you don’t care at all about sports. It’s moreso about the friendship and community that Moose finds in it and how she processes trauma.
At a certain point, I thought to myself that Moose’s flashbacks and grief and insecurities were a little repetitive; often it’s the same description or the same aspects. And then I thought, you know what else is repetitive? PTSD. So I’m not mad about it. Mental illness sucks. It’s disruptive and inconvenient and can be repetitive as hell. I think the author did a great job at conveying a fraction of that (because doing it in full would have been unreadable) and discussing mental health in general. Moose’s experience in therapy and her feelings around it were totally realistic, and it was handled positively, without being judgmental or overly didactic and preachy.
A part that stuck out to me was the culture shock for Moose, who was raised in Utah and living in Portland. Specifically, I liked the inclusion of her struggle with knowing she is queer, but feeling uncomfortable sharing it, even with those she knows are supportive. It's something I related to and I feel like isn’t always talked about in queer lit. I think a number of wlw books exist in either a perfect liberal bubble where nobody has to come out or feels any type of way about it, or under rampant bullying and homophobia. Honestly, both those stories are important to tell, but they never resonated with me. I liked seeing a story that wasn’t focused on queer self-discovery or coming-out, but could acknowledge that even among allies, it can still be a deeply personal and scary thing, especially based on how we were raised.
This review ended up crazy long, but in conclusion, I highly recommend this one to any fans of queer YA or coming of age stories. Know that you’re in for a bit of a heavy read, but everything is generally handled with sensitivity and I’d say its well worth it.
A huge thanks to Penguin, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
I really enjoyed this one! I’ll leave it vague in case you’re like me and want to go in blind, but it follows the story of a high-school girl named Moose who moves in with her sister after a tragedy and joins roller derby. As a former player of a mostly queer, niche sport (shoutout to ultimate frisbee), the derby aspect was super fun and not knowing anything about it beforehand, I’ve gathered that it is something I would very much like to watch and something I never want to play. While it was a pretty major part of the book, the actual focus on gameplay wasn’t too much, even if you don’t care at all about sports. It’s moreso about the friendship and community that Moose finds in it and how she processes trauma.
At a certain point, I thought to myself that Moose’s flashbacks and grief and insecurities were a little repetitive; often it’s the same description or the same aspects. And then I thought, you know what else is repetitive? PTSD. So I’m not mad about it. Mental illness sucks. It’s disruptive and inconvenient and can be repetitive as hell. I think the author did a great job at conveying a fraction of that (because doing it in full would have been unreadable) and discussing mental health in general. Moose’s experience in therapy and her feelings around it were totally realistic, and it was handled positively, without being judgmental or overly didactic and preachy.
A part that stuck out to me was the culture shock for Moose, who was raised in Utah and living in Portland. Specifically, I liked the inclusion of her struggle with knowing she is queer, but feeling uncomfortable sharing it, even with those she knows are supportive. It's something I related to and I feel like isn’t always talked about in queer lit. I think a number of wlw books exist in either a perfect liberal bubble where nobody has to come out or feels any type of way about it, or under rampant bullying and homophobia. Honestly, both those stories are important to tell, but they never resonated with me. I liked seeing a story that wasn’t focused on queer self-discovery or coming-out, but could acknowledge that even among allies, it can still be a deeply personal and scary thing, especially based on how we were raised.
This review ended up crazy long, but in conclusion, I highly recommend this one to any fans of queer YA or coming of age stories. Know that you’re in for a bit of a heavy read, but everything is generally handled with sensitivity and I’d say its well worth it.
A huge thanks to Penguin, Dutton Books for Young Readers, and NetGalley for a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
December 11, 2025
the scenario of "talented teen roller skater with gay dads who are also roller skaters who died in a skate rink fire that left the teen skater with burn scars" is so specific i'm really marveling at it
But the scenario plays out really beautifully and powerfully! I'm a casual admirer of roller derby (thanks Whip It the movie) and I liked reading about Moose's journey with that, as well as the nonlinear path of her PTSD recovery. A good read for teens with feelings!!
But the scenario plays out really beautifully and powerfully! I'm a casual admirer of roller derby (thanks Whip It the movie) and I liked reading about Moose's journey with that, as well as the nonlinear path of her PTSD recovery. A good read for teens with feelings!!
September 2, 2025
Leave It on the Track is primarily a story about grief and how community and family (found or not) is imperative to heal. There were many times when I really just felt so strongly for Moose--poor girl could not catch a single break! With the high highs of the giddiness that comes with crushes and low lows of dealing with the guilt of surviving a very traumatic event that took the lives of both parents, Leave It on the Track really covers a wide spectrum of emotion. And god did it make me wish I knew how to skate.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
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November 4, 2025Leave it On the Track tells the story of Moose, who lost her dads in a tragic fire at their local roller rink and relocates to live with her sister in Portland, and how she learns to process and navigate her grief through joining the roller derby community.
Moose's older sister Eden is part of the roller derby team in Portland and brings her sister with her to practice and encourages her to join the junior team. There she meets Carmen, Mercury, and Powerhouse and joins the Hotshot team. The cast of characters are all vibrant, queer, and that encourages Moose to work through her own identity and how to communicate that with a sister she doesn't know very well.
Fisher navigates the complexities of grief well, the huge sways between being okay and then suddenly feeling like all the air is ripped out of your lungs. I also really liked how most of it stayed age appropriate. I had a couple moments where I was frustrated with Eden not acting like an actual adult (like letting another teenage go after Moose when she runs away) and while that may have been part of the adjustment to suddenly having a teenager to take care of, it still felt irresponsible.
Admittedly, the couple of inconsistencies with the actual rules of roller derby (especially with a juniors league) stood out to me but I can see how they kept the story moving but for real, if you've just not responded to the officials asking if you're okay, you shouldn't go back and play the next jam.
Leave it on the track is due to be published 11/18/2025 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
Moose's older sister Eden is part of the roller derby team in Portland and brings her sister with her to practice and encourages her to join the junior team. There she meets Carmen, Mercury, and Powerhouse and joins the Hotshot team. The cast of characters are all vibrant, queer, and that encourages Moose to work through her own identity and how to communicate that with a sister she doesn't know very well.
Fisher navigates the complexities of grief well, the huge sways between being okay and then suddenly feeling like all the air is ripped out of your lungs. I also really liked how most of it stayed age appropriate. I had a couple moments where I was frustrated with Eden not acting like an actual adult (like letting another teenage go after Moose when she runs away) and while that may have been part of the adjustment to suddenly having a teenager to take care of, it still felt irresponsible.
Admittedly, the couple of inconsistencies with the actual rules of roller derby (especially with a juniors league) stood out to me but I can see how they kept the story moving but for real, if you've just not responded to the officials asking if you're okay, you shouldn't go back and play the next jam.
Leave it on the track is due to be published 11/18/2025 and I received an advanced copy from Netgalley in exchange for my review.
December 24, 2025
I got an ARC of this book.
I love that Derby is getting its time in books. It is the only sport I really care about. I just wish there was more blocker love. Most of my favorite skaters are blockers, but jammers get all the credit.
The book itself was ok. It had a lot going on and it didn't feel like much got resolved or really addressed. It had a lot of heart, but it was just not quite polished enough for me to be raving about it. I wanted to see more interactions with the sister for example. It was such a complex relationship that was not really explored. I wanted to see the MC actually start to heal. She felt worse than she did at the beginning of the book, though there was hope. It just gave off the "love can cure mental illness and grief" vibes.
So overall, I enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Fisher. This just wasn't my favorite YA or romance of the year.
I love that Derby is getting its time in books. It is the only sport I really care about. I just wish there was more blocker love. Most of my favorite skaters are blockers, but jammers get all the credit.
The book itself was ok. It had a lot going on and it didn't feel like much got resolved or really addressed. It had a lot of heart, but it was just not quite polished enough for me to be raving about it. I wanted to see more interactions with the sister for example. It was such a complex relationship that was not really explored. I wanted to see the MC actually start to heal. She felt worse than she did at the beginning of the book, though there was hope. It just gave off the "love can cure mental illness and grief" vibes.
So overall, I enjoyed this book and will be looking for more from Fisher. This just wasn't my favorite YA or romance of the year.
December 7, 2025
I wish I was still a teacher so I could recommend this to my students. This has so much more depth than most YA books. It weaves a grief, LGBTQ love, and a coming of age story together beautifully.
November 25, 2025
I love this book so so so so much. Much like roller derby, it completely drew me in! The settings, relationships, and emotions are visceral and palpable. I typically have a short attention span, but this writing was so uniquely engaging and immersive that it held my attention the entire time. Even though it’s written from the perspective of a teenager, you don’t have to be that age to connect to the real human emotions that we all have experienced. Similarly, you don’t have to play or understand roller derby to feel a connection to the impact of that community and found family. I love Margot Fisher!!!!!!!!
August 4, 2025
I really enjoyed this! I think that the author did a good job portraying trauma and PTSD and that it's not a easy fix and that it will ebb and flow. So many books about traumatic experiences can be really cut and dry but it's really not a cut and dry thing! I also really loved how the community really rallied about Moose with understanding AND accountability.
February 1, 2026
Honestly struggled between a 2 or 3 star rating. I'm giving it a 2 (2.5) and I'll explain why.
Before I get into it, this is (accidentally) the second book I've read this month that's from Reece's book club! lmao
Also, there's some spoilers ahead, so reader be warned.
First off, I love roller derby. As a skater myself, I was excited when I saw this at the book shop. Without knowing what the book was about, I bought it and set out to read it. I think the book did a great job explaining derby, both gameplay and dynamics of team life. Really got me excited to go back to playing (since my surgery).
I liked the characters for the most part. Moose is complicated but that's pretty understandable, considering. All her friends, Eden, and Mercury were good characters as well. I think they all, for the most part, seemed realistic. However, some issues I had: Eden doesn't go after Moose in the end? Are you kidding me? Eden even gave the reason of why she should've, and then still didn't!!! You got to be kidding me. And Mercury's dad is just chill with Mercury leaving, crossing state lines, as a minor on her own??! No sir. Also, it took them, what, nineteen hours to get back to Portland? But Moose had been missing for three days. So either Mercury took stops between traveling or didn't leave until the third day... When did Eden realize Moose was missing?
I liked Moose's breakdown. I felt it was about time for her to totally shut down, freak out, and do something super destructive. Grief, trauma, and recovery is like that sometimes.
I had other issues, like the money thing. Moose assumes that Eden is not doing well financially because she sees the mail/bill of being overdue on her student loans. This stresses Moose out. She already thought she was a burden to Eden's life, disrupting her home and such, but now there's a money issue! But turns out, Eden's doing fine, actually. So cool I guess. And Moose is like "so we don't have to sell the house for money reasons?" and Eden's like "no." But then, at the end of the book, Moose is like "I know we have to sell the house for money reasons," or whatever, and it's just confusing. Like, girl, I thought we said Eden was doing fine.
I was pretty shocked that Moose's Dads die in the first chapter. Like, damn! I didn't know that was what the book was about, I basically went in blind. But in the first chapter! I mean, I understand you got to get to the plot, but that was quick!
And you're telling me that after months of intensive care after being nearly burned alive in a roller rink, where her parent's were killed by the fire, Eden's first decision of "fun," get those bad thoughts off your mind for two hours, was roller derby? Wtf? Don't get me wrong, I chose to read this book because of the roller derby plot, but that's the stupidest thing I could've ever read. Like, at that point, Fisher should've decided to have the dads die in another way. A car crash or something. Like, they could've still been roller skating pros, but the fire at the rink? The whole book didn't have to be about skating, you know. It could've been about loving skating and derby and the fire didn't have to be associated with that. I guess that would've been a challenge to find a new "growth" baseline (Moose going skating in a rink again) but you could've thought of something!
I'm not a big YA reader. Well, I've actually read a lot more than I would've chosen to, but it's not typically something I pick out for myself. Regardless, I wasn't dissuaded by this book's genre. I can get down with a YA if it's not incredibly cheesy and such. Anyway, the romance I thought was pretty good. I think reading about teens kissing isn't really for me anymore, but the friendship dynamics and complications of high school were interesting enough. Also, I haven't read a ton of Queer novels, mostly because of the YA issue, but I love Queer representation, especially as it's so tied to derby (at least for me). However, Moose basically being an alien to queer shit was odd imo. Idk, I didn't grow up in Utah, but I did go to college there, and from other's experiences (being kids+teens in Utah) this seems weird? And Moose had gay dads! But for some reason, Moose moves to Portland and being gay openly seems like an unbelievable thing? Also, I regret to inform the author, but Moab is pretty progressive considering its state.
I'm sorry. I'm not purposefully trying to be hard on this book. But I can't deny I had issues with it.
Before I get into it, this is (accidentally) the second book I've read this month that's from Reece's book club! lmao
Also, there's some spoilers ahead, so reader be warned.
First off, I love roller derby. As a skater myself, I was excited when I saw this at the book shop. Without knowing what the book was about, I bought it and set out to read it. I think the book did a great job explaining derby, both gameplay and dynamics of team life. Really got me excited to go back to playing (since my surgery).
I liked the characters for the most part. Moose is complicated but that's pretty understandable, considering. All her friends, Eden, and Mercury were good characters as well. I think they all, for the most part, seemed realistic. However, some issues I had: Eden doesn't go after Moose in the end? Are you kidding me? Eden even gave the reason of why she should've, and then still didn't!!! You got to be kidding me. And Mercury's dad is just chill with Mercury leaving, crossing state lines, as a minor on her own??! No sir. Also, it took them, what, nineteen hours to get back to Portland? But Moose had been missing for three days. So either Mercury took stops between traveling or didn't leave until the third day... When did Eden realize Moose was missing?
I liked Moose's breakdown. I felt it was about time for her to totally shut down, freak out, and do something super destructive. Grief, trauma, and recovery is like that sometimes.
I had other issues, like the money thing. Moose assumes that Eden is not doing well financially because she sees the mail/bill of being overdue on her student loans. This stresses Moose out. She already thought she was a burden to Eden's life, disrupting her home and such, but now there's a money issue! But turns out, Eden's doing fine, actually. So cool I guess. And Moose is like "so we don't have to sell the house for money reasons?" and Eden's like "no." But then, at the end of the book, Moose is like "I know we have to sell the house for money reasons," or whatever, and it's just confusing. Like, girl, I thought we said Eden was doing fine.
I was pretty shocked that Moose's Dads die in the first chapter. Like, damn! I didn't know that was what the book was about, I basically went in blind. But in the first chapter! I mean, I understand you got to get to the plot, but that was quick!
And you're telling me that after months of intensive care after being nearly burned alive in a roller rink, where her parent's were killed by the fire, Eden's first decision of "fun," get those bad thoughts off your mind for two hours, was roller derby? Wtf? Don't get me wrong, I chose to read this book because of the roller derby plot, but that's the stupidest thing I could've ever read. Like, at that point, Fisher should've decided to have the dads die in another way. A car crash or something. Like, they could've still been roller skating pros, but the fire at the rink? The whole book didn't have to be about skating, you know. It could've been about loving skating and derby and the fire didn't have to be associated with that. I guess that would've been a challenge to find a new "growth" baseline (Moose going skating in a rink again) but you could've thought of something!
I'm not a big YA reader. Well, I've actually read a lot more than I would've chosen to, but it's not typically something I pick out for myself. Regardless, I wasn't dissuaded by this book's genre. I can get down with a YA if it's not incredibly cheesy and such. Anyway, the romance I thought was pretty good. I think reading about teens kissing isn't really for me anymore, but the friendship dynamics and complications of high school were interesting enough. Also, I haven't read a ton of Queer novels, mostly because of the YA issue, but I love Queer representation, especially as it's so tied to derby (at least for me). However, Moose basically being an alien to queer shit was odd imo. Idk, I didn't grow up in Utah, but I did go to college there, and from other's experiences (being kids+teens in Utah) this seems weird? And Moose had gay dads! But for some reason, Moose moves to Portland and being gay openly seems like an unbelievable thing? Also, I regret to inform the author, but Moab is pretty progressive considering its state.
I'm sorry. I'm not purposefully trying to be hard on this book. But I can't deny I had issues with it.
November 15, 2025
*Possible Spoilers*
Leave It on the Track is a sweet book about pushing boundaries, and knowing where your limits are. In general, I found the main character, Moose, a likable character, but her rash decision making made it hard to root for her sometimes. The plot got a bit messy and unrealistic near the end, but I understand how it wraps up Moose’s story.
Moose was an interesting character for me. I liked her more in the beginning than I did at the end of the book. I just found her “act first think second” mentality hard to justify at times. I understand that Moose’s PTSD paints everything in a scary light, but there’s got to be a line between excusing behavior due to trauma and using it as an excuse for poor choices. The thing that humanized Moose the most for me was her relationship with her sister, Eden. Family plays such a huge part to both characters, and it shows in different ways. Moose resents the world for taking away her dads (which is perfectly understandable), and Eden has to deal with the consequences of choices that she didn’t necessarily have control over (her mom is an ultra-controlling Christian, her dad(s) just died, and she has to raise her teenage sister). Neither situation is fair, and sometimes the two lashed out at each other in response. I loved how despite the clashes, their relationship always righted itself.
The relationship between Moose and her teammate, Mercury, felt kind of doomed from the start. Both are minors, but Mercury is still a team captain, so there’s a power imbalance. Also, Moose is in the midst of figuring out her life, and Mercury is basically parenting her two little brothers. I feel like I could see the pressure cracks forming on-page. Moose pulls Mercury down the stairs of a set of bleachers because she gets scared. She genuinely meant well, and didn’t want the two of them getting in trouble, but her fight or flight instincts injured them both. Mercury forgets to pick up her brothers because she loses track of time while on a date with Moose. The one thing I liked in their relationship was how they pushed each other to set boundaries and ask for help. I just don’t think either is in a spot for a healthy relationship. On a lighter note: I’ve never seen the Oaks Park carousel romanticized before, but good for them (Oregonian reviewer here).
I had a hard time suspending my disbelief when Moose ran away to Utah from Oregon during the last quarter of the book. She leaves with a dead phone, and somehow takes several trains without anyone flagging a dirty, probably deranged-looking teen with no bags and no travel companions. I was vibing with the character development, but the final plot hurtle being that she runs away and has to stop running from her demons felt too literal and took me out of the story.
I don’t know anything about roller derby culture, but from what Margot Fisher portrays, it seems cool. I liked the focus on inclusivity; size, gender, race, there’s room for everyone. Moose’s friend group was so much fun. Funny, teasing, but also loyal and the ultimate hype-people. While this book wasn’t my personal cup of tea, it was still a good read that I think will resonate with a lot of people. The stages of grief it explores felt very human, and I’m glad all of the characters got fairly happy endings.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this review on Goodreads and/or Tiktok and Instagram in mid to late November.
Leave It on the Track is a sweet book about pushing boundaries, and knowing where your limits are. In general, I found the main character, Moose, a likable character, but her rash decision making made it hard to root for her sometimes. The plot got a bit messy and unrealistic near the end, but I understand how it wraps up Moose’s story.
Moose was an interesting character for me. I liked her more in the beginning than I did at the end of the book. I just found her “act first think second” mentality hard to justify at times. I understand that Moose’s PTSD paints everything in a scary light, but there’s got to be a line between excusing behavior due to trauma and using it as an excuse for poor choices. The thing that humanized Moose the most for me was her relationship with her sister, Eden. Family plays such a huge part to both characters, and it shows in different ways. Moose resents the world for taking away her dads (which is perfectly understandable), and Eden has to deal with the consequences of choices that she didn’t necessarily have control over (her mom is an ultra-controlling Christian, her dad(s) just died, and she has to raise her teenage sister). Neither situation is fair, and sometimes the two lashed out at each other in response. I loved how despite the clashes, their relationship always righted itself.
The relationship between Moose and her teammate, Mercury, felt kind of doomed from the start. Both are minors, but Mercury is still a team captain, so there’s a power imbalance. Also, Moose is in the midst of figuring out her life, and Mercury is basically parenting her two little brothers. I feel like I could see the pressure cracks forming on-page. Moose pulls Mercury down the stairs of a set of bleachers because she gets scared. She genuinely meant well, and didn’t want the two of them getting in trouble, but her fight or flight instincts injured them both. Mercury forgets to pick up her brothers because she loses track of time while on a date with Moose. The one thing I liked in their relationship was how they pushed each other to set boundaries and ask for help. I just don’t think either is in a spot for a healthy relationship. On a lighter note: I’ve never seen the Oaks Park carousel romanticized before, but good for them (Oregonian reviewer here).
I had a hard time suspending my disbelief when Moose ran away to Utah from Oregon during the last quarter of the book. She leaves with a dead phone, and somehow takes several trains without anyone flagging a dirty, probably deranged-looking teen with no bags and no travel companions. I was vibing with the character development, but the final plot hurtle being that she runs away and has to stop running from her demons felt too literal and took me out of the story.
I don’t know anything about roller derby culture, but from what Margot Fisher portrays, it seems cool. I liked the focus on inclusivity; size, gender, race, there’s room for everyone. Moose’s friend group was so much fun. Funny, teasing, but also loyal and the ultimate hype-people. While this book wasn’t my personal cup of tea, it was still a good read that I think will resonate with a lot of people. The stages of grief it explores felt very human, and I’m glad all of the characters got fairly happy endings.
Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Young Readers Group for an ARC in exchange for my honest review. I will be posting this review on Goodreads and/or Tiktok and Instagram in mid to late November.
January 8, 2026
Thank you to Penguin Teen for the gifted copy of Leave It on the Track by Margot Fisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Leave It on the Track is a heartfelt YA debut about grief, anxiety, and queer first love, anchored by roller derby and the messy, slow work of rebuilding a life after everything changes.
Morgan “Moose” Shaker is carrying an unbearable amount of loss, and what I appreciated most is that this book doesn’t treat grief like something you “get over.” It’s something you learn to live around. There’s a metaphor Moose’s therapist shares that really stuck with me: grief as a ball inside a box. Over time the ball gets smaller and hits the sides less often, but it never fully disappears. That image felt painfully accurate, and it captures the tone of this story perfectly.
The character work is a big strength here. Moose is a compelling lead, but the people around her matter too: Eden, Mercury, Carmen, her teammates and coaches. Some characters felt a bit shallow at times, but even then, they still contributed something meaningful to Moose’s growth. I especially liked watching how roller derby becomes both an outlet and a bridge for her, not just into community, but into a deeper relationship with her sister and into a version of herself that feels more grounded.
I know essentially nothing about roller derby, so I can’t speak to the accuracy of the mechanics, but the action scenes were written clearly enough that I could visualize what was happening without feeling lost or overwhelmed by jargon. The author’s experience in the sport comes through in the confidence of those sequences, and it made the derby scenes feel like a real, lived-in part of the story rather than a backdrop.
I also thought the anxiety and panic representation was well done. The way panic attacks manifest for Moose, especially layered with fresh grief and huge life changes, felt realistic and compassionate. The book makes room for how scary and frustrating that can be, without reducing Moose to only her worst moments.
One of my favorite parts is the way the story handles queer community and found family. Moose’s move from Utah to Portland doesn’t magically solve everything, but it does open up space for her to see queerness reflected back to her in a way she hasn’t experienced before. The representation feels thoughtful, both in terms of the queer cast and the mental health elements.
Is this a world-changing read for me personally? No. But it is a genuinely beautiful one, and I can absolutely see it landing hard for young queer readers, and for any teen navigating grief for the first time. It’s tender, funny in the right places, and ultimately hopeful without pretending healing is linear.
November 17, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and Dutton Books/Penguin Random House for the ARC of 'Leave It on the Track'" in exchange for an honest review.
In Moab Utah, queer teen Morgan 'Moose' Shaker loved, more than anything, roller skating with her two dads.......(and with her shy, growing crush on a popular girl at her school coming in second.) Then an indescribable tragedy at the rink left her fathers dead and Moose with terrible severe injuries, both physical and emotional.
Now under the guardianship of her half sister Eden in Portland Oregon, Moose not only struggles with recurring PTSD from her ordeal, she's thrown into a new life, new environment and a sibling she barely had any contact with growing up, now in charge of looking after her. Eden, who skates in a local roller derby team, offers Moose a lifeline, something to engage with......by trying out for the league's junior team. Reluctantly at first, but then with full determination, Moose secures a place on the team, makes friends with some of her teammates and finds herself in an all new crush and a whole new set of challenges. (Once again, physical and emotional.)
Author Margot Fisher surely knows how to make your heart ache for Moose and cheer her on as she takes her up-'n=down journey through the literally rough and tumble sport of roller derby, her nightmarish flashbacks from her past and the rapturous, sometimes awkward moments of her first love. Some bad choices and bad behavior lead Moose into a crisis that further upends her world, but as a reader, I never lost sympathy and hope for her......and the go0d news for us, neither did author Fisher.
There's plenty of diversity and unforgettable characters on the roller derby team and the book doesn't flinch as it takes you on a punishing, knockabout thrill ride in its descriptions of the actual games. But there's always plenty of heart on display here, along with the multiple contusions, abrasions, and assorted sore ribs, knees and muscle aches.
You'll want to stay at Moose's side every step of the way as she navigates herself through gut wrenching tragedy, new found maturity,, romance and the chances to start the healing of her own internal hurts........and all this on roller skates, no less!
(All my other reviews can be found at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
In Moab Utah, queer teen Morgan 'Moose' Shaker loved, more than anything, roller skating with her two dads.......(and with her shy, growing crush on a popular girl at her school coming in second.) Then an indescribable tragedy at the rink left her fathers dead and Moose with terrible severe injuries, both physical and emotional.
Now under the guardianship of her half sister Eden in Portland Oregon, Moose not only struggles with recurring PTSD from her ordeal, she's thrown into a new life, new environment and a sibling she barely had any contact with growing up, now in charge of looking after her. Eden, who skates in a local roller derby team, offers Moose a lifeline, something to engage with......by trying out for the league's junior team. Reluctantly at first, but then with full determination, Moose secures a place on the team, makes friends with some of her teammates and finds herself in an all new crush and a whole new set of challenges. (Once again, physical and emotional.)
Author Margot Fisher surely knows how to make your heart ache for Moose and cheer her on as she takes her up-'n=down journey through the literally rough and tumble sport of roller derby, her nightmarish flashbacks from her past and the rapturous, sometimes awkward moments of her first love. Some bad choices and bad behavior lead Moose into a crisis that further upends her world, but as a reader, I never lost sympathy and hope for her......and the go0d news for us, neither did author Fisher.
There's plenty of diversity and unforgettable characters on the roller derby team and the book doesn't flinch as it takes you on a punishing, knockabout thrill ride in its descriptions of the actual games. But there's always plenty of heart on display here, along with the multiple contusions, abrasions, and assorted sore ribs, knees and muscle aches.
You'll want to stay at Moose's side every step of the way as she navigates herself through gut wrenching tragedy, new found maturity,, romance and the chances to start the healing of her own internal hurts........and all this on roller skates, no less!
(All my other reviews can be found at www.thesandyquill.blogspot.com)
November 19, 2025
Leave It on the Track tells the story of Moose, a Utah teenager who grew up with 2 dads and a love of rollerskating. After experiencing a traumatic event, Moose finds herself uprooted from her hometown to go live with her older half-sister, Eden, in Oregon. She discovers that this new setting is very different from the one she grew up in, but not necessarily in a negative way.
Eden quickly introduces Moose to roller derby, which Eden has been participating in for a good portion of her life. While Moose is hesitant to try this new style of skating, she adapts fairly quickly to the sport and the community surrounding it. She also develops a crush on one of the team captains, who just so happens to go to her new school and is more than happy to help Moose settle in to her new normal.
Moose struggles to handle her anxiety and emotions as a result of her PTSD, but is consistently surprised to learn that the found family she’s gained through roller derby is there to support her and see her to the other side.
I LOVED Leave It on the Track. I’m trying to think of any criticisms I have after finishing it, but honestly it was just a great read. My only “complaint” is that I thought I’d predicted Moose’s derby name and was so excited for the reveal only to find out I was wrong!! She still picked a great name, but I was SET on the one I’d predicted 😂
The romance is so cute, too. Whether you’re invested in Moose’s or Eden’s, the relationships seem genuinely healthy and had me rooting for their success from the beginning. It adds lightness and balance to a book that’s tackling some heavy topics.
This book also made me SO incredibly jealous that I can’t roller skate. Roller derby sounds like such a fun sport. I’m definitely inspired to try putting on skates again. Maybe take some more lessons from my local derby team.
Leave It on the Track is one of those books I wished I’d had as a teenager. It discusses loss, grief, PTSD, anxiety, family dynamics, self-image, and identity. Almost anyone could enjoy this story and find a bit of themselves in the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book!
Eden quickly introduces Moose to roller derby, which Eden has been participating in for a good portion of her life. While Moose is hesitant to try this new style of skating, she adapts fairly quickly to the sport and the community surrounding it. She also develops a crush on one of the team captains, who just so happens to go to her new school and is more than happy to help Moose settle in to her new normal.
Moose struggles to handle her anxiety and emotions as a result of her PTSD, but is consistently surprised to learn that the found family she’s gained through roller derby is there to support her and see her to the other side.
I LOVED Leave It on the Track. I’m trying to think of any criticisms I have after finishing it, but honestly it was just a great read. My only “complaint” is that I thought I’d predicted Moose’s derby name and was so excited for the reveal only to find out I was wrong!! She still picked a great name, but I was SET on the one I’d predicted 😂
The romance is so cute, too. Whether you’re invested in Moose’s or Eden’s, the relationships seem genuinely healthy and had me rooting for their success from the beginning. It adds lightness and balance to a book that’s tackling some heavy topics.
This book also made me SO incredibly jealous that I can’t roller skate. Roller derby sounds like such a fun sport. I’m definitely inspired to try putting on skates again. Maybe take some more lessons from my local derby team.
Leave It on the Track is one of those books I wished I’d had as a teenager. It discusses loss, grief, PTSD, anxiety, family dynamics, self-image, and identity. Almost anyone could enjoy this story and find a bit of themselves in the characters.
Thank you to NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book!
December 28, 2025
Oh my God, this book pissed me all the way off. Spoilers lie ahead because I can't not rant about this one.
I should had DNFed at the beginning. So, Moose's dads die in a fire in the first chapter. It's extremely upsetting to read (which is not my complaint). This takes place in a skating rink. Her skates melt to the floor. She suffers intense physical trauma. Moose goes into the hospital for five months. And on her first day in her new home, her sister is like, "I'm going to surprise you by taking you to a fun new place. Oh, you find surprises stressful now? Don't worry, this will be a great one."
Friends, in her first day home from the hospital, her sister TAKES HER TO ROLLER DERBY. But don't worry! It's totally different type of skating!
This scene has the vibe of, "Oh, you almost died in a car crash that claimed the lives of your parents? Surprise, I'm going to take you to a Formula 1 race!" I was entirely baffled.
This all happens in the first 15% of the book, and I never quite got over how outrageous that logic was. So much of the logic of this book made little to no sense. The fact that CPS did not get involved at the end, either, was baffling. There was minimal character development until about 75%, at which point things go off the rails, at which point the older sister lets another minor retrieve a runaway across state lines? With no supervision? These kids are sixteen and Moose fled from Portland to Utah on her own. WHERE IS CPS!? Who is sending 16-year-olds to do this one their own!???? And Mercury's parents agree to this?
There were a few things to like here, but this book put plot momentum over characters, and yet the plot was bewildering. Moose never felt like a real person. She has so few character traits and her rationale for most things is hazy at best. As you can probably tell, I was so frustrated for the majority of this book. Usually, if I don't care for an LGBTQIA+ book, I don't post a public review, but this one was just.... why. Why!? I was excited for a derby romance but this was not the one.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. My frustrations are my own and being left voluntarily.
I should had DNFed at the beginning. So, Moose's dads die in a fire in the first chapter. It's extremely upsetting to read (which is not my complaint). This takes place in a skating rink. Her skates melt to the floor. She suffers intense physical trauma. Moose goes into the hospital for five months. And on her first day in her new home, her sister is like, "I'm going to surprise you by taking you to a fun new place. Oh, you find surprises stressful now? Don't worry, this will be a great one."
Friends, in her first day home from the hospital, her sister TAKES HER TO ROLLER DERBY. But don't worry! It's totally different type of skating!
This scene has the vibe of, "Oh, you almost died in a car crash that claimed the lives of your parents? Surprise, I'm going to take you to a Formula 1 race!" I was entirely baffled.
This all happens in the first 15% of the book, and I never quite got over how outrageous that logic was. So much of the logic of this book made little to no sense. The fact that CPS did not get involved at the end, either, was baffling. There was minimal character development until about 75%, at which point things go off the rails, at which point the older sister lets another minor retrieve a runaway across state lines? With no supervision? These kids are sixteen and Moose fled from Portland to Utah on her own. WHERE IS CPS!? Who is sending 16-year-olds to do this one their own!???? And Mercury's parents agree to this?
There were a few things to like here, but this book put plot momentum over characters, and yet the plot was bewildering. Moose never felt like a real person. She has so few character traits and her rationale for most things is hazy at best. As you can probably tell, I was so frustrated for the majority of this book. Usually, if I don't care for an LGBTQIA+ book, I don't post a public review, but this one was just.... why. Why!? I was excited for a derby romance but this was not the one.
I received an ARC of this book through NetGalley. My frustrations are my own and being left voluntarily.
July 24, 2025
I read an Advance Reader copy, so the final product will likely look a little different. However, I hope the ending does not change, because it is a perfect way to end the story. If you get emotional when reading, there are moments in the book that will definitely get to you.
Moose, Eden (Riley), Mercury, Prince, Powerhouse, Carmen, and the other roller derby players make for interesting and enjoyable characters. A major aspect of the story is Moose coping with the injuries she sustained in a roller rink fire, and the loss of her fathers (the only gay couple in Finney's Mesa -- a fictional suburb of Moab, Utah). That makes it an interesting choice by the author to have Moose join a roller derby team called Hotshots whose team chant is "TRACK ON FI-RE."
Many of the characters are queer -- lesbian, transgender, non-binary -- and much of the story is set in Portland, Oregon, where being queer (and being openly queer) is quite common. That makes for an interesting dynamic, as Moose has grown up in a very conservative town with a heavy Mormon presence where being queer is not seen as acceptable and so being openly queer is a rarity (as previously noted, Moose's dads were the only known gay couple in Finney's Mesa). So, Moose, who is a lesbian, finds herself in an environment in Portland where being queer is common and respected and openly celebrated, and she has to figure out the "rules" for being queer -- how do you let others know you are queer; can you ask others about their status; etc. She also worries that she is not "queer" enough for Portland.
I will admit there were times I got annoyed at Moose and Eden (her sister) for their passive-aggressive behavior [or rather how the author chose to write certain scenes involving them] and wished the author had chosen to have them confront their issues earlier and/or more openly.
Moose, Eden (Riley), Mercury, Prince, Powerhouse, Carmen, and the other roller derby players make for interesting and enjoyable characters. A major aspect of the story is Moose coping with the injuries she sustained in a roller rink fire, and the loss of her fathers (the only gay couple in Finney's Mesa -- a fictional suburb of Moab, Utah). That makes it an interesting choice by the author to have Moose join a roller derby team called Hotshots whose team chant is "TRACK ON FI-RE."
Many of the characters are queer -- lesbian, transgender, non-binary -- and much of the story is set in Portland, Oregon, where being queer (and being openly queer) is quite common. That makes for an interesting dynamic, as Moose has grown up in a very conservative town with a heavy Mormon presence where being queer is not seen as acceptable and so being openly queer is a rarity (as previously noted, Moose's dads were the only known gay couple in Finney's Mesa). So, Moose, who is a lesbian, finds herself in an environment in Portland where being queer is common and respected and openly celebrated, and she has to figure out the "rules" for being queer -- how do you let others know you are queer; can you ask others about their status; etc. She also worries that she is not "queer" enough for Portland.
I will admit there were times I got annoyed at Moose and Eden (her sister) for their passive-aggressive behavior [or rather how the author chose to write certain scenes involving them] and wished the author had chosen to have them confront their issues earlier and/or more openly.
November 19, 2025
“This is our church… the church of eight wheels.”
A few weeks back I got an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Penguin Random House of Leave It On the Track by Margot Fisher, a fellow derby skater. As this was an ARC, some of the items I’ve quoted may have been changed in the final print version.
This book was such an unexpected delight and incredibly well written. It follows a teen girl named Moose who is navigating the loss of her dad’s as well as coming into her own identity - all through the lense of jr roller derby.
The entire story is a love letter to all types of skating - but especially roller derby. All of the fiddly bits from lacing up your skates, being terrified of getting hit, breaking out of the of the pack as a jammer for the first time, finding camaraderie with the other weirdos (lovingly) on the track, to discovering just how strong you are off skates as you are on - it’s all captured in this charming novel. There were times that Moose’s journey had me tearing up and so proud of her and her growth.
“Derby, even with all of its ups and downs and bruises and hard falls and screaming on the track feels stable. The first thing in my life that’s felt stable since the fire.”
This book is an excellent read for yourself, a friend, or that up and coming jr derby skater trying to navigate who they are. It really captures what it’s like to find yourself on the track and gain your confidence. The queer rep is off the charts and the supporting cast is as diverse as our irl teams. I have no doubt that this book will be the novel version of Whip It, and fully expect to see new skaters join leagues because this book gave them the encouragement to try.
I’ve already been yelling about this book to my derby team and can’t wait to gift it to any young wanna be skaters who are looking to find themselves on the page.
A few weeks back I got an advanced reader copy from NetGalley and Penguin Random House of Leave It On the Track by Margot Fisher, a fellow derby skater. As this was an ARC, some of the items I’ve quoted may have been changed in the final print version.
This book was such an unexpected delight and incredibly well written. It follows a teen girl named Moose who is navigating the loss of her dad’s as well as coming into her own identity - all through the lense of jr roller derby.
The entire story is a love letter to all types of skating - but especially roller derby. All of the fiddly bits from lacing up your skates, being terrified of getting hit, breaking out of the of the pack as a jammer for the first time, finding camaraderie with the other weirdos (lovingly) on the track, to discovering just how strong you are off skates as you are on - it’s all captured in this charming novel. There were times that Moose’s journey had me tearing up and so proud of her and her growth.
“Derby, even with all of its ups and downs and bruises and hard falls and screaming on the track feels stable. The first thing in my life that’s felt stable since the fire.”
This book is an excellent read for yourself, a friend, or that up and coming jr derby skater trying to navigate who they are. It really captures what it’s like to find yourself on the track and gain your confidence. The queer rep is off the charts and the supporting cast is as diverse as our irl teams. I have no doubt that this book will be the novel version of Whip It, and fully expect to see new skaters join leagues because this book gave them the encouragement to try.
I’ve already been yelling about this book to my derby team and can’t wait to gift it to any young wanna be skaters who are looking to find themselves on the page.
November 15, 2025
Roller skating was a fixture in sixteen-year-old Moose’s life before an accidental fire claimed both her dads’ lives and Moose’s confidence. Discharged from the hospital into the care of her older half sister Eden, Moose journeys across the American west from Utah to a new home in Portland where everything is different, including how others respond to queer people like her. When Moose is introduced to roller derby, she finds a different kind of home, and as her skating improves and new relationships blossom, Moose discovers that there can be sunshine after the storm, after all. This weighty young adult novel explores several facets of Moose’s life. On one hand, Moose is navigating her existence as a child with two gay dads in a conservative part of the country when she herself is gay. Though the move to Portland is begrudging at best, the acceptance Moose feels upon arrival is critical to her process of moving through her grief. Moose is also growing up sooner than she expected to, and navigating financial struggles and life adjustments is difficult for an adolescent. However, positive representations of mental health challenges, family dynamics, and friendships anchor the story, and readers will enjoy following Moose’s journey as the narrative progresses. Though predictable at times, the story is nonetheless one that readers will appreciate, particularly if they recognize themselves in Moose’s character. Good for fans of roller derby, queer first love, and tales that showcase a character managing grief in a constructive way, this is a heartwarming addition to library collections for young adult readers.
August 26, 2025
When a roller rink fire takes the lives of both of her dads, 16-year-old Moose moves from Moab, Utah to Portland, Oregon and learns to navigate her PTSD by joining the roller derby team coached by her estranged half-sister. Queer first love + a heart-punching story of healing from trauma.
I've honestly got nothing but love for this one; the voice is wonderful, the grief feels real, and I really liked how authentically flawed Moose is--she messes things up big time, just like an actual 16-year-old. It's also refreshing to find a 16-year-old protagonist, since YA seems to be dominated by 17-and-18-year-olds.
Natural-feeling inclusivity rounds out a memorable cast. There are some lovely bits where Fisher weaves in queer identity education without making it feel didactic, like the section on page 132 where Moose's derby teammates explain why it's offensive and presumptive to refer to a group of teens as "ladies."
But the thing I'm going to remember most about this book is that made me curious about roller derby and competitive skating. My son and I started watching derby (and roller skating comps) on TV while I was reading this; today I'm bringing home Victoria Jamieson's ROLLERGIRL for a re-read; and my google search history is all ROLLER DERBY ROLLER DERBY WHO STARRED IN THE MOVIE WHIP IT and ROLLER DERBY. (Incidentally, we especially like the 2024 TV series reboot of ROLLER JAM. It is not derby, but it is really fantastic.)
I've honestly got nothing but love for this one; the voice is wonderful, the grief feels real, and I really liked how authentically flawed Moose is--she messes things up big time, just like an actual 16-year-old. It's also refreshing to find a 16-year-old protagonist, since YA seems to be dominated by 17-and-18-year-olds.
Natural-feeling inclusivity rounds out a memorable cast. There are some lovely bits where Fisher weaves in queer identity education without making it feel didactic, like the section on page 132 where Moose's derby teammates explain why it's offensive and presumptive to refer to a group of teens as "ladies."
But the thing I'm going to remember most about this book is that made me curious about roller derby and competitive skating. My son and I started watching derby (and roller skating comps) on TV while I was reading this; today I'm bringing home Victoria Jamieson's ROLLERGIRL for a re-read; and my google search history is all ROLLER DERBY ROLLER DERBY WHO STARRED IN THE MOVIE WHIP IT and ROLLER DERBY. (Incidentally, we especially like the 2024 TV series reboot of ROLLER JAM. It is not derby, but it is really fantastic.)
November 25, 2025
Morgan ("Moose") started roller skating with her two dads at a very young age. In the book's first chapter, when Moose is 16, she and her dads head out to the local rink in Utah and, while they are skating, a fire starts that ends up killing Moose's parents and leaving her with many injuries. During her 5 months in the hospital, her older half-sister, Eden, comes to Utah from Portland, OR to take care of her and ultimately move her to Portland. Moose is traumatized and most of the book follows her journey through the trauma as she becomes involved, through Eden's encouragement, in roller derby, joining a team of girls her age.
This is an intense book about moving through the aftermath of trauma and starting over in a new place with a sister who you hardly know. On the whole, I think it's well done, though I do have some thoughts. First, I would have liked to hear more about Moose's time with her therapist. There's a bit of this in the first half, but less as the book progresses. Instead, we read more about the roller derby team, its activities, and Moose's developing relationship with her teammate. It's almost as if the healing comes about from Moose's involvement with her team and her girlfriend.
This might be a bit intense for a teen reader, but in many cases, teens can deal with intense subjects that ultimately help them work through their own issues.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
This is an intense book about moving through the aftermath of trauma and starting over in a new place with a sister who you hardly know. On the whole, I think it's well done, though I do have some thoughts. First, I would have liked to hear more about Moose's time with her therapist. There's a bit of this in the first half, but less as the book progresses. Instead, we read more about the roller derby team, its activities, and Moose's developing relationship with her teammate. It's almost as if the healing comes about from Moose's involvement with her team and her girlfriend.
This might be a bit intense for a teen reader, but in many cases, teens can deal with intense subjects that ultimately help them work through their own issues.
I was provided an ARC by the publisher via NetGalley.
January 11, 2026
A beautiful and heartfelt story about lacing up one’s skates and getting on the track or rink for love of the feeling of flying on wheels…
Margot Fisher is a debut author ✍️ who skates in roller derby. Not only did her book provide new insight on the sport for me, the story also references Whip It by Shauna Cross, and dives even deeper. For six years I’ve been a fan of Whip It, both the book and film, and this explores roller derby and skating culture on a deeper level.
I was obsessed with skating and even bought my own pair of pro skates during the pandemic when all yoga and gyms were shut down. The power of finding your place and passion through a work out isn’t just an homage to your body, but also one’s mind and soul. Thank you Margot Fisher and I look forward to seeing your future stories, and hope you explore roller derby again.
On another note, the character endured navigating health issues after becoming a burn victim during a fire, and while the only thing we have in common right now is newly navigating our new life and new version of health I still found Moose’s story relatable, and for me seeing her heal in real time had me plowing through this book excitedly waiting for my next dose of reading. Moose’s journey was so real.
Margot Fisher is a debut author ✍️ who skates in roller derby. Not only did her book provide new insight on the sport for me, the story also references Whip It by Shauna Cross, and dives even deeper. For six years I’ve been a fan of Whip It, both the book and film, and this explores roller derby and skating culture on a deeper level.
I was obsessed with skating and even bought my own pair of pro skates during the pandemic when all yoga and gyms were shut down. The power of finding your place and passion through a work out isn’t just an homage to your body, but also one’s mind and soul. Thank you Margot Fisher and I look forward to seeing your future stories, and hope you explore roller derby again.
On another note, the character endured navigating health issues after becoming a burn victim during a fire, and while the only thing we have in common right now is newly navigating our new life and new version of health I still found Moose’s story relatable, and for me seeing her heal in real time had me plowing through this book excitedly waiting for my next dose of reading. Moose’s journey was so real.
December 10, 2025
(Audio)
As a former derby skater (Crow City!) and current Portlander, this book was so fun! I haven't played derby in a few years so listening to Moose's story, emotions and relationship with roller derby was very nostalgic. Our author does a great job of moving us through Moose's emotional journey. I could very much feel her grief, apprehension and excitement through the story. I cried several times.
Moose makes some really stupid (teenage) decisions towards the end of the story. It was "cringe" (are the kids still saying that?) and gave me second-hand embarrassment. It was very uncomfortable but it also felt like something a dumb teenager would do.
The narrator did a great job with this story as well. She really put effort into making us hear Moose's emotions in her voice.
Lastly, I'd like to talk about the setting of Portland. I've read several books this year that are set in Oregon (Portland and other places). So often a writer tries a little too hard to show us how well they know the area. It can be distracting and eyeroll-inducing for me. I felt like our author showed us around Portland really well without it being obnoxious. Well done.
As a former derby skater (Crow City!) and current Portlander, this book was so fun! I haven't played derby in a few years so listening to Moose's story, emotions and relationship with roller derby was very nostalgic. Our author does a great job of moving us through Moose's emotional journey. I could very much feel her grief, apprehension and excitement through the story. I cried several times.
Moose makes some really stupid (teenage) decisions towards the end of the story. It was "cringe" (are the kids still saying that?) and gave me second-hand embarrassment. It was very uncomfortable but it also felt like something a dumb teenager would do.
The narrator did a great job with this story as well. She really put effort into making us hear Moose's emotions in her voice.
Lastly, I'd like to talk about the setting of Portland. I've read several books this year that are set in Oregon (Portland and other places). So often a writer tries a little too hard to show us how well they know the area. It can be distracting and eyeroll-inducing for me. I felt like our author showed us around Portland really well without it being obnoxious. Well done.
December 24, 2025
I never review books on here, but I had to for this one. I'm a jammer on a roller derby team and I truly have never read such a perfect description of what it feels like to be a jammer in the midst of gameplay. The anxiety, the pressure, the excitement. Feeling disappointed when you have to pass to the pivot, the frustration of not getting lead. Admiring your bruises and new muscles. Ten out of ten.
I'm also queer, so I loved how gay this was. It's true to the derby scene, which I imagine is even more queer in a place like Portland. I also love books that are unapologetically gay and don't water down the culture for cishet readers.
I'm almost 30, so I don't read too much YA these days, but I wanted to give this a shot because, you know, roller derby! and I'm so glad I did. It was such a well written, non-cheesy coming of age story, and I actually found Moose to be such a realistic, complex teenager confronting trauma that no child should ever have to endure.
I loved the audio book and just bought my "trophy" copy. Also, movie deal when?!
I'm also queer, so I loved how gay this was. It's true to the derby scene, which I imagine is even more queer in a place like Portland. I also love books that are unapologetically gay and don't water down the culture for cishet readers.
I'm almost 30, so I don't read too much YA these days, but I wanted to give this a shot because, you know, roller derby! and I'm so glad I did. It was such a well written, non-cheesy coming of age story, and I actually found Moose to be such a realistic, complex teenager confronting trauma that no child should ever have to endure.
I loved the audio book and just bought my "trophy" copy. Also, movie deal when?!
October 15, 2025
Fair warning that the tragedy in the first chapter of this broke my heart. So much that I almost DNF. But I’m glad I pushed through and kept reading because the rest of the book put my heart back together again, piece breaks, with some cry breaks along the way. This was such an amazing story about processing grief and overcoming trauma through Roller Derby. One of the best coming-of-age stories I’ve read in recent years. Moose was beautifully written and extremely relatable. The whole cast of queer found family was lovable, though it was ultimately Mercury who stole my heart.
While I was slightly disappointed Moose’s derby name wasn’t Katniss Evermean or Phoenix, I appreciated that the derby name she ended up choosing instead was still an empowering nod to the fire she’d survived.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
While I was slightly disappointed Moose’s derby name wasn’t Katniss Evermean or Phoenix, I appreciated that the derby name she ended up choosing instead was still an empowering nod to the fire she’d survived.
I received an advanced copy from the publisher and am voluntarily leaving this review.
December 20, 2025
This heartbreaking yet hopeful coming of age story is about 'Moose,' the 16-year-old protagonist, who loses her fathers in a roller rink fire in their small hometown in Utah. After barely surviving the fire, 'Moose' is forced to move in with an older half-sister whom she hasn't seen in 10 years that lives in Portland, Oregon. The story follows 'Moose' as she and her sister learn to navigate their relationship, and Moose deals with panic attacks and her queer identity.
The story is about navigating grief and PTSD, found family, self-identity, and queer first love, all set around a junior roller derby team! The author did a wonderful job representing family dynamics, friendship, and mental health issues in a positive light.
I skated through this young adult novel that has much to offer readers of all ages. See what I did there?
The story is about navigating grief and PTSD, found family, self-identity, and queer first love, all set around a junior roller derby team! The author did a wonderful job representing family dynamics, friendship, and mental health issues in a positive light.
I skated through this young adult novel that has much to offer readers of all ages. See what I did there?
October 31, 2025
LEAVE IT ON THE TRACK by Margot Fisher is one of my favorite books of 2025. It's an outstanding novel, one I've been thinking about in the months since I finished reading the e-galley. The opening of the book is heartbreaking and Fisher does not hold back when it comes to plunging readers into the deep end of emotions. The author also keeps readers close to Moose as she slowly--and often reluctantly--begins to resurface. The way Moose being on the derby team is tied to both her tragedy and hope is beautifully written. The derby team is full of vibrant, distinct characters who offer Moose genuine support and friendship. I look forward to buying a copy of LEAVING IT ON THE TRACK as well as recommending it to everyone I know.
November 12, 2025
This coming-of-age story is a great record of the kind of internal dramas we all go through, at any age. As a long-time fan of roller derby, I probably have a different perspective than most readers. I’ve watched hundreds of games over the years, but this is the first time I got an “inside view” of what goes on in the pack, and what goes on in the mind of a skater. Another thing: Many skaters say “roller derby saved my soul.” This book offers perspective on how that can happen. As I see it, not everybody needs roller derby to serve this purpose. We all need to find a community that welcomes us, that challenges us, that impels us to evolve as individuals as we fulfil ourselves as well as something larger than ourselves.
December 4, 2025
The opening chapter of Leave it on the Track is blisteringly intense--and a perfect foreshadow of the high octane roller derby scenes to come. Author Margot Fisher puts readers IN the burning roller rink with Moose, fighting for life, and leaves them nearly as shellshocked as Moose is in the aftermath of the fire.
A particular strength of the novel is its equal-parts messy and lovable characters. The romance provides a sweet subplot, but is never the main focus of the story and definitely isn't some the magical fix to what ails Moose. Moose, Eden, Mercury - they all have their "stuff." But rather than confronting their demons through art or therapy, they do so on the roller derby rink, giving the novel a powerful, passionate punch to the gut.
A particular strength of the novel is its equal-parts messy and lovable characters. The romance provides a sweet subplot, but is never the main focus of the story and definitely isn't some the magical fix to what ails Moose. Moose, Eden, Mercury - they all have their "stuff." But rather than confronting their demons through art or therapy, they do so on the roller derby rink, giving the novel a powerful, passionate punch to the gut.
January 1, 2026
Sixteen year old Moose’s life in Moab, Utah with her skate-loving dads is exploded when a roller rink fire leaves her injured and her dads don’t survive. Though Moose is mostly unaware of it, sister Eden comes from Portland and spends months of hospitalization by Moose’s side. As soon as she can, Moose goes to Eden’s home and must come to terms with her grief, her trauma, her scars, and life in a city where her queer identity is unremarkable. There’s a new school, a therapist, but Moose begins to come alive when she starts to learn roller derby with Eden. An intriguing deep dive into derby and derby culture with strong, interesting characters plus it’s a bit of a love letter to Portland. EARC from Edelweiss.
November 16, 2025
5 stars
I picked this up from the cover thinking it would be a light, cute gay derby romance-- I dare anyone to go into this book blind. It will have you sobbing and needing to read on. I grew up at the skate rink, and I felt so hard for Moose, she seemed like such a real teen. Everything was so brilliantly done from the setting changes, to characters, and capturing the sort of community a cult like activity or sport can create. This was everything a fantastic coming of age YA novel should be.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
I picked this up from the cover thinking it would be a light, cute gay derby romance-- I dare anyone to go into this book blind. It will have you sobbing and needing to read on. I grew up at the skate rink, and I felt so hard for Moose, she seemed like such a real teen. Everything was so brilliantly done from the setting changes, to characters, and capturing the sort of community a cult like activity or sport can create. This was everything a fantastic coming of age YA novel should be.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an advanced copy to form opinions from.
November 16, 2025
I loved this YA sapphic coming of age debut about 'Moose,' a teen girl whose fathers die in a tragic roller rink fire leaving her the sole responsibility of her older sister. Forced to leave her Utah home and go live with her sister in Portland, she finds community and friends and a new purpose when she joins a roller derby team. This was an emotional, moving story about loss, queer love, found family and learning to survive tragedy. Excellent on audio and highly recommended for fans of the movie, Whip it and books like Bruised by Tanya Boteju. Many thanks to @prhaudio for a complimentary ALC in exchange for my honest review.
CW: death of parents, anxiety + panic attacks
CW: death of parents, anxiety + panic attacks
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