Lu (Track #4)

Gr 5-8 Following on the heels of Ghost, Patina, and Sunny comes the last leg of Reynolds's middle grade quartet. Readers meet the co-captain of the Defenders, a lightning-quick athlete with bravado to spare. Lu was born with albinism and must take extra care to protect his skin and eyes. Every morning, he puts in his contacts, applies his sunscreen, and psychs himself up by reciting his mantra: "I am the man. The guy. The kid. The one. The only. The Lu. Lucky Lu. Lookie Lu. Lu the Lightning Bolt." Lu learns that he's about to become a big brother, and comes up against some literal and figurative hurdles on and off the track as he tries to lead his team to victory. His self-possession serves him in good stead as he confronts his father and convinces him to right a long overdue but not forgotten wrong. Lu realizes that he doesn't need gold chains and diamond earrings to be flashy, and, regardless of the odds or the competition, that he has what it takes to stand up and truly be "the man, the guy." Reynolds carefully delineates his characters' personalities and family dynamics to reflect where these kids are coming from before seeing them on the track or part of a team. He keeps the pace lively and strikes a perfect balance of sports action, middle school trash-talking, and slice-of-life modern family concerns. This book stands alone, but fans of the series will enjoy Lu's interactions with teammates introduced in earlier titles. Thanks to their coach, they have become conditioned athletes, but in coming together and working as a team they have developed the hearts of champions. VERDICT Reynolds sprints to the finish of this splendid sports series. Pure gold.--Luann Toth, School Library Journal