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Track #4
Lu
Lu must learn to leave his ego on the sidelines if he wants to finally connect with others in the climax to the New York Times bestselling and award-winning Track series from Jason Reynolds.
Lu was born to be cocaptain of the Defenders. Well, actually, he was born albino, but that’s got nothing to do with being a track star. Lu has swagger, plus the talent to back it up, and with all that—not to mention the gold chains and diamond earrings—no one’s gonna outshine him.
Lu knows he can lead Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and the team to victory at the championships, but it might not be as easy as it seems. Suddenly, there are hurdles in Lu’s way—literally and not-so-literally—and Lu needs to figure out, fast, what winning the gold really means.
Expect the unexpected in this final event in Jason Reynold’s award-winning and bestselling Track series.
Lu was born to be cocaptain of the Defenders. Well, actually, he was born albino, but that’s got nothing to do with being a track star. Lu has swagger, plus the talent to back it up, and with all that—not to mention the gold chains and diamond earrings—no one’s gonna outshine him.
Lu knows he can lead Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and the team to victory at the championships, but it might not be as easy as it seems. Suddenly, there are hurdles in Lu’s way—literally and not-so-literally—and Lu needs to figure out, fast, what winning the gold really means.
Expect the unexpected in this final event in Jason Reynold’s award-winning and bestselling Track series.
218 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2018
444 people are currently reading
7099 people want to read
About the author
Jason Reynolds
70 books10.2k followersJason Reynolds is an American author of novels and poetry for young adult and middle-grade audience. After earning a BA in English from The University of Maryland, College Park, Jason Reynolds moved to Brooklyn, New York, where you can often find him walking the four blocks from the train to his apartment talking to himself. Well, not really talking to himself, but just repeating character names and plot lines he thought of on the train, over and over again, because he’s afraid he’ll forget it all before he gets home.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,069 reviews
October 30, 2018
Reasons to adore Jason Reynolds' books:
- Authentic narrative voices.
- Well-drawn child protagonists with equally well-drawn parents, each with their own rich backstory.
- Characters who respect their parents (especially mom) and are kind & caring towards younger siblings.
- An approachable introduction to difficult issues: illness, injustice, bullying, etc.
- Seamlessly delivered messages on life's really difficult issues: gun violence, drug addiction, death, grief.
- Promotion of finding healthy outlets for anger/frustration and timely warnings against toxic masculinity.
- So much heart, enough to manifest as an ache in one's chest and tears on one's cheeks.
- Authentic narrative voices.
- Well-drawn child protagonists with equally well-drawn parents, each with their own rich backstory.
- Characters who respect their parents (especially mom) and are kind & caring towards younger siblings.
- An approachable introduction to difficult issues: illness, injustice, bullying, etc.
- Seamlessly delivered messages on life's really difficult issues: gun violence, drug addiction, death, grief.
- Promotion of finding healthy outlets for anger/frustration and timely warnings against toxic masculinity.
- So much heart, enough to manifest as an ache in one's chest and tears on one's cheeks.
March 28, 2019
Knowing the Track series is officially over has given me a mixture of satisfaction and sadness. I just love these kids! I feel like I’ve watched them grow and learn and figure out where they belong in their crazy world. Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu are genuine and bring so much of their personalities onto the page. I knew this story would be a challenge: to wrap up four books with a speech from Coach that is a resolution encompassing all of the guidance and direction he wants to give to his team, as well as the readers.
October 16, 2018
What a great end to what a great series! Lu navigates some tough stuff on and off the track as he prepares to go to the team's last meet and run the hurdles. His mom is pregnant with a new baby sister on the way and Lu discovers that his dad took Coach's Olympic gold medal from Coach's dad back in his drug dealing days. As Lu helps his mom with her business, confronts his dad about the past, and faces the hurdles again and again, he learns about the meaning of integrity and begins to realize how the track team has shaped him as a person.
I can't recommend this series enough to readers of contemporary fiction, middle grade urban fiction, or sports books. I always can't wait to see what Jason Reynolds will do next.
I can't recommend this series enough to readers of contemporary fiction, middle grade urban fiction, or sports books. I always can't wait to see what Jason Reynolds will do next.
June 20, 2024
Lu is the albino of the track team and the second fastest after ghost but what he is captain material. coaching his teammates on. Lighting Lu's parent are having another child. his dad has a past with coach that Lu just found out about. this book is lest about track and more about what's right. the ending end in the track meet being abandon so the team can be with coach!
September 4, 2025
lu was the original conclusion to the series, but reynolds has a fifth (and final?!) novel coming out in less than a month, about coach!
lu predominately focuses on righting years old wrongs, as well as making things right before too many years pass. it also emphasizes the importance of friends, family, and community in hard times — just like the previous three books.
lu predominately focuses on righting years old wrongs, as well as making things right before too many years pass. it also emphasizes the importance of friends, family, and community in hard times — just like the previous three books.
June 24, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. Disappointed that it’s the last one.
November 24, 2018
Oh, Jason Reynolds, you can tell a story! Not only do you write a story that is a-can't-put-it-down-read-to-the-end story, but it's a story that shares Important Things About Life without (miraculously) shoving the story or the morals down your throat.
Almost nobody else in the world, not even our very, very best writers, can do this.
Lu is the story of an albino boy in a hard-working black family who is trying to do hurdles and keeps messing up. His dad has had problems in the past. His coach has had problems in the past. His friends have had problems in the past.
In short, everybody in the story has troubles. In short, it is a very real book.
Jason Reynolds, I adore you. I hope you are writing away. We need more books from you.
Almost nobody else in the world, not even our very, very best writers, can do this.
Lu is the story of an albino boy in a hard-working black family who is trying to do hurdles and keeps messing up. His dad has had problems in the past. His coach has had problems in the past. His friends have had problems in the past.
In short, everybody in the story has troubles. In short, it is a very real book.
Jason Reynolds, I adore you. I hope you are writing away. We need more books from you.
May 5, 2019
The last book in Reynolds "Track" tetralogy, Lu focuses on the albino co-captain of the Defenders. Lu(cas) is struggling to become a hurdler, finding the obstacles tough to overcome. The reason is that his near eyesight is very poor, and any dirt messes up his contacts. Coach eventually figures out the problem and they come up with a stride solution. Meanwhile, Lu deals with some family issues, including his mother's pregnancy and his father's nefarious past. I think what I don't like about this series is the unnecessary dialect, which is okay for dialogue, but more bothersome since Reynolds writes in the first person.
October 2, 2018
I think this might be my favorite of the series. I've loved getting to join this team for all 4 laps. I can't wait to see what Jason has for us next!
November 7, 2018
I'm so sad that this series is over, but this book also brought me a lot of joy, which I'm super grateful for. Jason Reynolds is one amazing author.
May 9, 2025
Lu is albino in a black family. His 12 year old friends tease each other a lot, but there are strong friendships on the track club. Each of these "Track" series books is unique, but background characters come from the other books.
A stronger sub-story in here with some relatives exposed to drugs, but a positive realistic story of their fight to acknowledge and overcome these problems. Lu's Mom will have another baby, so Lu is taking his role-to-be of big brother seriously.
As usual, the track coach is a great leader we all hope we can find on any team we may join. He pushes but is not a win-at-all-cost type of person.
While I think all middle school libraries have this book/series, it is healthy for adults to read this extremely realistic book since the author Jason Reynolds really 'knows' what these kids are thinking.
Easy 5*
Audio book read by Guy Lockhard is FANTASTIC.
A stronger sub-story in here with some relatives exposed to drugs, but a positive realistic story of their fight to acknowledge and overcome these problems. Lu's Mom will have another baby, so Lu is taking his role-to-be of big brother seriously.
As usual, the track coach is a great leader we all hope we can find on any team we may join. He pushes but is not a win-at-all-cost type of person.
While I think all middle school libraries have this book/series, it is healthy for adults to read this extremely realistic book since the author Jason Reynolds really 'knows' what these kids are thinking.
Easy 5*
Audio book read by Guy Lockhard is FANTASTIC.
October 28, 2018
The tragedy is that this is the final book in the Track series. But all good things must come to an end and with covers as awesomely vivid, sparse, and beautiful as these ones are plus characters that are well drawn in such a short amount of time with so much voice and feeling and empathy-- no one wants to see this series end. Ever.
Reynolds can write these in his sleep which is why he's the GOAT. Seriously.
Lu is about a kid whose mother makes art from fruit, a dad who works a lot to make up for his ills as a kid (he ran drugs for a little while that you find out is part of the storyline in which he's responsible for some ugliness), but Lu helps him make it right with Lu's coach, the great Coach of the whole series. But there's also something about Lu that is a non-point but the reason that it's the point. Lu is Albino. So he's dealt with his fair share of being "odd", though the support he has from his family, the fact that his mom wasn't supposed to have kids and just days ago announced that she's pregnant with another, Lu knows there's something special in that.
It's about keeping your body and mind healthy with sports. Family support. Learning through trial and error but never giving up on yourself. The messages of this (and the others) are strong and clear and heartfelt. All the love for another Reynolds home run... ehr, world record.
Reynolds can write these in his sleep which is why he's the GOAT. Seriously.
Lu is about a kid whose mother makes art from fruit, a dad who works a lot to make up for his ills as a kid (he ran drugs for a little while that you find out is part of the storyline in which he's responsible for some ugliness), but Lu helps him make it right with Lu's coach, the great Coach of the whole series. But there's also something about Lu that is a non-point but the reason that it's the point. Lu is Albino. So he's dealt with his fair share of being "odd", though the support he has from his family, the fact that his mom wasn't supposed to have kids and just days ago announced that she's pregnant with another, Lu knows there's something special in that.
It's about keeping your body and mind healthy with sports. Family support. Learning through trial and error but never giving up on yourself. The messages of this (and the others) are strong and clear and heartfelt. All the love for another Reynolds home run... ehr, world record.
June 24, 2019
A strong finish to the Track series. Reynolds does a great job connecting the four books and continuing character development on the past featured characters while focusing on a new one. Really loved the relationship Lu had with his mom and dad and the lessons he learned from them in this installment as well as his coaches. Lessons he can pass onto the little sister on the way. Definitely recommend listening to these books on audio to get the ultimate Track experience.
October 27, 2018
This book was an awesome end to the series. If there is a next book to the track series I would be fine with that but I LOVED this book I couldn't put it down. I would recommend this book and series to EVERYONE.
April 15, 2023
Argh! OK, two totally different categories of comments. First, as a book, it was fine. I always like his writing, the story wasn’t wow, but it was in line with the rest of the series and did a pretty good job wrapping things up (although the very end was kind of sappy). I still wish the series overall had been more of an on-going story with more ongoing plot threads with the other kids in all of the sequels. There was more in this book than the others, but still not a ton. If you want to write companion books instead, that’s fine, but the cliff-hanger endings make it seem like it’s all supposed to be one broader story.
But what I actually want to talk about is the portrayal of albinism. My dad is albino. It’s cool to have a character with albinism, but it’s really frustrating and disappointing that Reynolds doesn’t seem to have done his research. (Even though I’ve read that he does have a friend with albinism--maybe the friend is extremely unusual and he didn’t look beyond him.) In the earlier books, it’s presented as something that just makes Lu look different. Which is really the least of it. Albinism is a disability and this isn't a realistic portrayal of ways it affects your life in terms of sun protection or visual impairment.
We do finally get a mention of sunscreen in this book, but that’s really not sufficient sun protection. It should at least have his mom nagging him to wear long sleeves and a hat at practice, even if he blows her off because he’s embarrassed (but then should get a burn or at least have a memory of one that comes up at some point). But some people are able to do a lot with just sunscreen, so while it’s unlikely, it’s not completely impossible.
What is completely impossible is the lack of visual impairment. For a lot of the book, Lu doesn’t even seem to use glasses, which was making me really crazy, but at least it’s eventually revealed that he wears contacts. But albinism messes up your vision in a bunch of different ways that are not correctable by glasses. Most people with albinism are legally blind. As far as I know, there is no such thing as an albino with fully correctable vision, like Lu. At the very least, he needed to mention that he was a miracle of a miracle--that he is so lucky that he sees so much better than most people with albinism.
Reynolds clearly did research how blind people run hurdles, and the parts where Lu had his contacts out were interesting (but incomplete, since just being very far-sighted is not albinism). Maybe this was his way of addressing the visual impairment issue, having written himself into a corner somewhat by not having Lu be impaired in the previous books. But it actually made me more mad that he included it in a way that Lu could turn it on and off. It’s kind of obnoxious to make his temporary blindness a super power that helps him with hurdles, but then not have to deal with the downsides/reality because he can just turn it off. It felt disrespectful to people who are actually visually impaired—all of the time.
But what I actually want to talk about is the portrayal of albinism. My dad is albino. It’s cool to have a character with albinism, but it’s really frustrating and disappointing that Reynolds doesn’t seem to have done his research. (Even though I’ve read that he does have a friend with albinism--maybe the friend is extremely unusual and he didn’t look beyond him.) In the earlier books, it’s presented as something that just makes Lu look different. Which is really the least of it. Albinism is a disability and this isn't a realistic portrayal of ways it affects your life in terms of sun protection or visual impairment.
We do finally get a mention of sunscreen in this book, but that’s really not sufficient sun protection. It should at least have his mom nagging him to wear long sleeves and a hat at practice, even if he blows her off because he’s embarrassed (but then should get a burn or at least have a memory of one that comes up at some point). But some people are able to do a lot with just sunscreen, so while it’s unlikely, it’s not completely impossible.
What is completely impossible is the lack of visual impairment. For a lot of the book, Lu doesn’t even seem to use glasses, which was making me really crazy, but at least it’s eventually revealed that he wears contacts. But albinism messes up your vision in a bunch of different ways that are not correctable by glasses. Most people with albinism are legally blind. As far as I know, there is no such thing as an albino with fully correctable vision, like Lu. At the very least, he needed to mention that he was a miracle of a miracle--that he is so lucky that he sees so much better than most people with albinism.
Reynolds clearly did research how blind people run hurdles, and the parts where Lu had his contacts out were interesting (but incomplete, since just being very far-sighted is not albinism). Maybe this was his way of addressing the visual impairment issue, having written himself into a corner somewhat by not having Lu be impaired in the previous books. But it actually made me more mad that he included it in a way that Lu could turn it on and off. It’s kind of obnoxious to make his temporary blindness a super power that helps him with hurdles, but then not have to deal with the downsides/reality because he can just turn it off. It felt disrespectful to people who are actually visually impaired—all of the time.
October 1, 2025
Jason Reynolds!!!! This story about Lu (number 4 in the Track series) was just stunning. I loved learning about Lu’s family (his parents are so cute) and just more about him in general. His crush on Common is very sweet. The chat he had with his dad about integrity???? His fear of hurdles and how Coach helps him 🥹.
But y’all what really got me was the end of the book and how Lu brings everyone together to support Coach. Such an amazing kid, truly. I’m glad Jason wrote one more so can get Coach’s perspective!!
Don’t sleep on middle grade books. 👏🏻
But y’all what really got me was the end of the book and how Lu brings everyone together to support Coach. Such an amazing kid, truly. I’m glad Jason wrote one more so can get Coach’s perspective!!
Don’t sleep on middle grade books. 👏🏻
June 19, 2024
This book was my favorite book out of the whole Track series. The series showed what being in any type of team is about, supporting/helping each other and things are not good. Lu’s actions inspired others when Coach’s son was in the hospital, so Coach wouldn’t be at the championship meet. Lu and others not participating in the meet met so much to Coach the team met him at the hospital. This was an amazing series to read, and I’m so glad I read this series. It is one I really enjoyed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 29, 2018
After the highs of the first two books and the low of the third in the series, this final novel just feels - flat. Not especially distinctive, similarly told, and almost overly long for the slight plot. Even a little gimmicky, what with the contact lenses and ribbon. It’s got its moments, sure, but mostly I feel like Lu’s story is more poignant and memorable in the little bits and pieces we’d gotten in earlier books.
December 19, 2018
What a fantastic final novel to an already fantastic series. Seriously. I have gone on and on about how I much I love this series in previous reviews so all I will say for this review is read it. You won't regret it. Jason Reynolds writes kids and families and life so well.
January 9, 2020
In the 4th (and last) book of the Track series, the main idea I think the author wanted to emphasize, was that no matter what, no matter how hard the journey was, and no matter how much farther you have to go, your friends and family will always be there, supporting you, both mentally and emotionally. This series was really good and I recommend it to everybody.
June 12, 2020
I loved this series and the characters so much. 💛
January 3, 2019
Great ending to a great series. Jason Reynolds can really write- characters, dialogue, his books are such great mentor texts for everyone. I love how they work together & on their own. A must for classrooms/humans ages 9 and up.
March 2, 2019
Great conclusion? edition? to the Track series. I hope it’s not over! It’s such a great series for middle grade kids. The characters are so relatable and it deals with real life issues. Also, Guy Lockhart does an amazing job narrating.
September 30, 2018
There has not been a Jason Reynolds book that I haven't loved. This book is no exception. The track series is a wonderful collection of books and I think Lu is the best one yet. Full of heart and so good.
Review based on an uncorrected proof provided by Jason's agent....because they are awesome!
Review based on an uncorrected proof provided by Jason's agent....because they are awesome!
March 24, 2019
An amazing ending to this fantastic series! Loved hearing Lu’s story and how Reynolds wrapped up storylines from the previous three books. I’m going to miss these athletes and friends.
December 19, 2018
My favorite of the quartet! Such a great story on its own but I love how this novel in particular brought back all the threads of the previous three stories and tied them up with a bow.
Absolutely fantastic writing per usual Mr. Reynolds!
Absolutely fantastic writing per usual Mr. Reynolds!
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August 14, 2020I did not think I was going to enjoy this one, but Reynolds managed to pull it off once again.
January 30, 2019
Toss up between this and Ghost being the best of the series. This book, and most of the series in general, does a very good job of interweaving real life scenarios with track. For us the track is a backdrop, but for the characters it's a driving motivation.
At least, the people that are there.
By the time you've arrived at Book 4 of a series, the need for background info is slim. Toward the end, showing up at the basketball count and reading the letters -- the story packs a lot into a small space. As an author I may have neglected that scene, but my experience is different.
If this isn't the best of the four, it's right next to Ghost. Palpable authenticity.
At least, the people that are there.
By the time you've arrived at Book 4 of a series, the need for background info is slim. Toward the end, showing up at the basketball count and reading the letters -- the story packs a lot into a small space. As an author I may have neglected that scene, but my experience is different.
If this isn't the best of the four, it's right next to Ghost. Palpable authenticity.
November 14, 2018
This was a great ending to the series. It brought everyone's story together with the same heart and spirit of the other books. I definitely recommend reading this series as a set and in order because they all build on each other. I feel like I know these kids, and their stories could be framed with any sport or activity... theirs just happens to be track. Great life lessons about friendship, teamwork, growth mindset, and integrity.
October 29, 2018
That last chapter...what a beautiful way to end the series! I'm going to miss Ghost, Patty, Sunny, Lu, and Coach so much. I adore each of the Defenders, and I love the family they've built. I cannot recommend the Track series enough.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,069 reviews