Rachel (R.L.) Toalson
@racheltoalson.bsky.social
author of books for kids & teens | THE FIRST MAGNIFICENT SUMMER | up next: THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL (MG) + LOVE, SIVVY (YA) | wife | mom | runner
www.racheltoalson.com
www.racheltoalson.com
In a world where information is at our fingertips, how do we tell fact from fiction? Fake news from real news? In this video, I share some tips for becoming more media literate.
▶️ youtu.be/hqBFC1oMoH8
▶️ youtu.be/hqBFC1oMoH8
October 10, 2025 at 9:22 PM
In a world where information is at our fingertips, how do we tell fact from fiction? Fake news from real news? In this video, I share some tips for becoming more media literate.
▶️ youtu.be/hqBFC1oMoH8
▶️ youtu.be/hqBFC1oMoH8
Writer’s aren’t known for their confidence. We rarely think we’re actually good at what we do. In this video, I offer three suggestions for how to continue moving forward with our writing even when we don’t feel so confident.
▶️ youtu.be/I7fkysLY3ro
▶️ youtu.be/I7fkysLY3ro
August 29, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Writer’s aren’t known for their confidence. We rarely think we’re actually good at what we do. In this video, I offer three suggestions for how to continue moving forward with our writing even when we don’t feel so confident.
▶️ youtu.be/I7fkysLY3ro
▶️ youtu.be/I7fkysLY3ro
**Austin area friends!**
I'll be at Lark & Owl Booksellers tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a conversation with the marvelous @samanthamclark.com! We'll be talking about my latest book, the sisterhood, and what's next from here. I'd love to see you there!
I'll be at Lark & Owl Booksellers tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a conversation with the marvelous @samanthamclark.com! We'll be talking about my latest book, the sisterhood, and what's next from here. I'd love to see you there!
June 6, 2025 at 4:53 PM
**Austin area friends!**
I'll be at Lark & Owl Booksellers tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a conversation with the marvelous @samanthamclark.com! We'll be talking about my latest book, the sisterhood, and what's next from here. I'd love to see you there!
I'll be at Lark & Owl Booksellers tomorrow at 3 p.m. for a conversation with the marvelous @samanthamclark.com! We'll be talking about my latest book, the sisterhood, and what's next from here. I'd love to see you there!
I like listening to music while I’m writing, so I put together a soundtrack for my latest book, The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel, including a helpful guide for which song belongs to which chapter(s). Visit my substack to get it.
And while you're there, don't forget to subscribe!
And while you're there, don't forget to subscribe!
June 3, 2025 at 4:02 PM
I like listening to music while I’m writing, so I put together a soundtrack for my latest book, The Unforgettable Leta “Lightning” Laurel, including a helpful guide for which song belongs to which chapter(s). Visit my substack to get it.
And while you're there, don't forget to subscribe!
And while you're there, don't forget to subscribe!
Hanging out at the San Antonio Barnes & Noble by San Pedro & 410 until about 4:30 today. Swing by and get a signed book if you’re in the area 😊📖🖋️
May 31, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Hanging out at the San Antonio Barnes & Noble by San Pedro & 410 until about 4:30 today. Swing by and get a signed book if you’re in the area 😊📖🖋️
Sisterhoods. They give us belonging. Save lives. Remind us we’re stronger, more capable & more unforgettable than we know. That’s what Leta, my main character, learns in my newest book, releasing tomorrow!
You can still preorder, or get a signed copy tomorrow, 6 p.m., Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio!
You can still preorder, or get a signed copy tomorrow, 6 p.m., Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio!
May 26, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Sisterhoods. They give us belonging. Save lives. Remind us we’re stronger, more capable & more unforgettable than we know. That’s what Leta, my main character, learns in my newest book, releasing tomorrow!
You can still preorder, or get a signed copy tomorrow, 6 p.m., Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio!
You can still preorder, or get a signed copy tomorrow, 6 p.m., Nowhere Bookshop, San Antonio!
Just posted my first newsletter on Substack. If you subscribe to my substack, you'll not only get a monthly newsletter full of great stuff (including books), but you'll also get an inside look at my writing that's made the rounds and been rejected 40 billion times.
Here we go!
Here we go!
May 18, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Just posted my first newsletter on Substack. If you subscribe to my substack, you'll not only get a monthly newsletter full of great stuff (including books), but you'll also get an inside look at my writing that's made the rounds and been rejected 40 billion times.
Here we go!
Here we go!
Even though she’s 13, the MC in my new book, THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, recognizes that strong, assertive women are often shamed & called names. It doesn’t take us long to see it.
May all girls everywhere learn that being strong & assertive is nothing to be ashamed of or shamed for.
May all girls everywhere learn that being strong & assertive is nothing to be ashamed of or shamed for.
May 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Even though she’s 13, the MC in my new book, THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, recognizes that strong, assertive women are often shamed & called names. It doesn’t take us long to see it.
May all girls everywhere learn that being strong & assertive is nothing to be ashamed of or shamed for.
May all girls everywhere learn that being strong & assertive is nothing to be ashamed of or shamed for.
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, MC Leta is growing up in an economically disadvantaged family. These are the kinds of scars you carry when you grow up like that.
This book helped me work through my own scars.
4 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
This book helped me work through my own scars.
4 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
May 6, 2025 at 2:27 PM
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, MC Leta is growing up in an economically disadvantaged family. These are the kinds of scars you carry when you grow up like that.
This book helped me work through my own scars.
4 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
This book helped me work through my own scars.
4 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
Join me and legendary journalist Cary Clack near the end of this month to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL! Event includes a discussion between the two of us, a reading from the book, and time for questions, greeting, and signing.
I’d love to see you there!
I’d love to see you there!
May 1, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Join me and legendary journalist Cary Clack near the end of this month to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL! Event includes a discussion between the two of us, a reading from the book, and time for questions, greeting, and signing.
I’d love to see you there!
I’d love to see you there!
Words are sometimes hard. For all of us.
The careless words of others can stick with us, like they stuck with my main character, Leta.
Let’s try not to be the ones who say them.
5 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
The careless words of others can stick with us, like they stuck with my main character, Leta.
Let’s try not to be the ones who say them.
5 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
April 29, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Words are sometimes hard. For all of us.
The careless words of others can stick with us, like they stuck with my main character, Leta.
Let’s try not to be the ones who say them.
5 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
The careless words of others can stick with us, like they stuck with my main character, Leta.
Let’s try not to be the ones who say them.
5 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
*SAVE THE DATE!*
Here are all the places I’ll be to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL. Come visit me if you can!
Here are all the places I’ll be to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL. Come visit me if you can!
April 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
*SAVE THE DATE!*
Here are all the places I’ll be to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL. Come visit me if you can!
Here are all the places I’ll be to celebrate the release of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL. Come visit me if you can!
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, main character Leta is trying to become unforgettable by winning district champion in the 400m dash.
Some of us spend our lives trying to prove we’re unforgettable. But guess what? We already are, to the people who matter.
6 weeks until the release!
Some of us spend our lives trying to prove we’re unforgettable. But guess what? We already are, to the people who matter.
6 weeks until the release!
April 22, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, main character Leta is trying to become unforgettable by winning district champion in the 400m dash.
Some of us spend our lives trying to prove we’re unforgettable. But guess what? We already are, to the people who matter.
6 weeks until the release!
Some of us spend our lives trying to prove we’re unforgettable. But guess what? We already are, to the people who matter.
6 weeks until the release!
What Leta says is true: When something’s unfair, it should make us all angry.
7 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
7 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
April 15, 2025 at 2:58 PM
What Leta says is true: When something’s unfair, it should make us all angry.
7 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
7 weeks until the THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL got a *starred review* from School Library Journal! I’m so excited to share this book with you.
Publishes May 27!
Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
Publishes May 27!
Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
April 10, 2025 at 2:56 PM
THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL got a *starred review* from School Library Journal! I’m so excited to share this book with you.
Publishes May 27!
Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
Publishes May 27!
Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
In my book THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, eighth grader Leta is the star of her track team. At least until another runner shows up. And now Leta has everything to lose.
8 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
8 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
April 8, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In my book THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, eighth grader Leta is the star of her track team. At least until another runner shows up. And now Leta has everything to lose.
8 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
8 weeks until the book releases!
(Preorder at your favorite bookstore!)
@simonkids.bsky.social
My weekend read.
April 5, 2025 at 3:00 PM
My weekend read.
In my book THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING’ LAUREL, MC Leta has to step in as Second Mom to her sister, Amelia, because her mom works two jobs. It’s complicated, being a sister and Second Mom.
9 weeks until the book releases! Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
9 weeks until the book releases! Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
April 1, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In my book THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING’ LAUREL, MC Leta has to step in as Second Mom to her sister, Amelia, because her mom works two jobs. It’s complicated, being a sister and Second Mom.
9 weeks until the book releases! Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
9 weeks until the book releases! Preorder at your favorite bookstore!
@simonkids.bsky.social
I am now living in a house with five teenage boys. 😳
Happy 13th birthday, B and Z! I love you!
(We didn’t have a #3 candle, so we did 10 + 3 individual candles, because this is how divergent brains solve problems. 😂)
Happy 13th birthday, B and Z! I love you!
(We didn’t have a #3 candle, so we did 10 + 3 individual candles, because this is how divergent brains solve problems. 😂)
March 29, 2025 at 2:55 PM
I am now living in a house with five teenage boys. 😳
Happy 13th birthday, B and Z! I love you!
(We didn’t have a #3 candle, so we did 10 + 3 individual candles, because this is how divergent brains solve problems. 😂)
Happy 13th birthday, B and Z! I love you!
(We didn’t have a #3 candle, so we did 10 + 3 individual candles, because this is how divergent brains solve problems. 😂)
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, MC Leta's family struggles with economic instability. I knew this reality for most of my growing-up years. And for oldest daughters, that reality means you have to help out wherever you can. Grow up before you’re ready. It’s not fair, but that’s life.
March 25, 2025 at 2:56 PM
In THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA “LIGHTNING” LAUREL, MC Leta's family struggles with economic instability. I knew this reality for most of my growing-up years. And for oldest daughters, that reality means you have to help out wherever you can. Grow up before you’re ready. It’s not fair, but that’s life.
Super excited to announce that THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA "LIGHTNING" LAUREL is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Thank you to JLG for the work they do to get books into the hands of young readers!
Preorder it at your favorite bookstore, or click the link below.
amzn.to/4iqbWGZ
Preorder it at your favorite bookstore, or click the link below.
amzn.to/4iqbWGZ
March 5, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Super excited to announce that THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA "LIGHTNING" LAUREL is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Thank you to JLG for the work they do to get books into the hands of young readers!
Preorder it at your favorite bookstore, or click the link below.
amzn.to/4iqbWGZ
Preorder it at your favorite bookstore, or click the link below.
amzn.to/4iqbWGZ
Books bans are happening more and more often around the country. In this video I share what book banning means and why book bans hurt everybody—especially those who don’t fit neatly into prescribed boxes.
▶️ youtu.be/re6713wORQI
▶️ youtu.be/re6713wORQI
February 28, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Books bans are happening more and more often around the country. In this video I share what book banning means and why book bans hurt everybody—especially those who don’t fit neatly into prescribed boxes.
▶️ youtu.be/re6713wORQI
▶️ youtu.be/re6713wORQI
Yes. I did just cry through a handful of emotional scenes while reading my last pass pages of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA "LIGHTNING" LAUREL. This book. I'm so proud of it.
Preorder it wherever you buy books, or here's a handy Amazon link. (But seriously. Go small & local if you can.)
amzn.to/4hj22X8
Preorder it wherever you buy books, or here's a handy Amazon link. (But seriously. Go small & local if you can.)
amzn.to/4hj22X8
January 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Yes. I did just cry through a handful of emotional scenes while reading my last pass pages of THE UNFORGETTABLE LETA "LIGHTNING" LAUREL. This book. I'm so proud of it.
Preorder it wherever you buy books, or here's a handy Amazon link. (But seriously. Go small & local if you can.)
amzn.to/4hj22X8
Preorder it wherever you buy books, or here's a handy Amazon link. (But seriously. Go small & local if you can.)
amzn.to/4hj22X8
My weekend read.
It’s fabulous so far.
It’s fabulous so far.
January 10, 2025 at 10:46 PM
My weekend read.
It’s fabulous so far.
It’s fabulous so far.
I write all my first drafts by hand. This is how many pens I used in 2024 writing the first drafts of novels, essays, and poems.
When you think you're not making much progress, don't forget to count the pens.
(64 pens for my year)
Happy New Year!
When you think you're not making much progress, don't forget to count the pens.
(64 pens for my year)
Happy New Year!
December 31, 2024 at 9:57 PM
I write all my first drafts by hand. This is how many pens I used in 2024 writing the first drafts of novels, essays, and poems.
When you think you're not making much progress, don't forget to count the pens.
(64 pens for my year)
Happy New Year!
When you think you're not making much progress, don't forget to count the pens.
(64 pens for my year)
Happy New Year!