My Brother Oliver

” Told with tension and excellent pace, this is a heart-wrenching tale about the most difficult kind of forgiveness: forgiving oneself.” * –School Library Journal, Starred Review *“Themes of sacrifice, unconditional love, and identity resonate throughout this compassionate, accessible story.” * –Booklist *“Approachable, nuanced, and deeply moving.” * –Kirkus, Starred Review *“Throughout, affirming messages about love, forgiveness, and shifting interpersonal dynamics buoy this gut-wrenching and unforgettable story.” * –Publisher’s Weekly, Starred Review *

R.L. Toalson grew up running wild through corn rows and cow-grazing fields and recording true and wildly exaggerated false tales to entertain her friends, family members, and anyone who would listen. She still runs (literally) wild through the streets of her city and spends most of her days recording true (if a little exaggerated) and false tales to entertain anyone who will listen.

She lives in San Antonio, Texas, with her one brilliant husband, six delightful children, and two arrogant cats.

She’s the author of:

• The Colors of the Rain, which won the Arnold Adoff Poetry Honor Award for New Voices in 2020
• The Woods, which received a starred review from Booklist
• The highly acclaimed The First Magnificent Summer
• Dirty Windows Don’t Open