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Lu (Track, #4)

Reynolds rounds out his “Track” series with a book focusing on the character of Lu, who is adjusting to big news: His mom is pregnant. As he considers what it will mean to be a big brother, he learns something upsetting about his dad, a former drug dealer, involving the Defenders’ beloved coach. On the track, Lu and his co- captain are at odds, while Lu’s new event—hurdles—is vexing him: Every time he approaches a hurdle, he freezes. It isn’t until Coach takes advantage of Lu’s poor eyesight—a side effect of his albinism—and asks him to run essentially blind that Lu begins to soar, learning to trust himself. The book continues to build on the relationship among the title characters in the series, all of who are African American, while developing the individual story of Lu and his immediate families. The richly developed, credible secondary characters further emphasize the importance of connection and family—both blood and formed—forgiveness, and deciding what really matters. ©2019 Cooperative Children’s Book Center

CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 9-13
Age Range: Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10) Grades 6-8 (Ages 11-13)
Format: Novel
Subjects: African Americans Community Drugs and Alcohol Families Forgiveness Friendship Sports
Diversity subject: Black/African

Publishers: Atheneum, Caitlyn Dlouhy Books
Publish Year: 2018
Pages: 218
ISBN: 9781481450249

CCBC Location: Fiction, Reynolds

Lu (Track, #4)