Lou with the Band

This vibrant young adult novel follows Lou, a restless Cuban-American teen from Texas, as she embarks on a global adventure. Deferring college, Lou joins her road crew uncle on a celebrity musician's world tour, traveling through Asia and Europe. The story delves into themes of self-discovery, identity, and the complexities of first love as Lou navigates the exciting yet challenging backstage world. Parents will appreciate the exploration of independence, friendship, and cultural identity, while also noting mild romantic content and references to parties. It's a fast-paced, empowering read for teens exploring their own paths.

From the acclaimed author of the delicious Idol Gossip comes a new music-themed novel with an irresistible backbeat and a thoughtful read on friendship and identity. When Lou enlists her best friend, Molly, to shave her head, it's partly so she doesn't have to deal with washing her hair all the time while on tour--and partly because she's ready to be a new person. No stranger to reinventing herself, restless Lou is a Cuban-American girl who's never left Texas, let alone the country. But the "New Lou" has deferred her first semester at Texas State to work for a celebrity musician on tour. She's bound for China, Japan, half of Europe, and everywhere in between, though it means getting intimately acquainted with the band's dirty laundry. Even with her road crew uncle on alert, it will be the summer of a lifetime, full of underground parties, disco spas, and gelato. When Lou falls for a tattooed guitar prodigy who makes her feel achingly alive, it doesn't cross her mind to doubt him or--as life on the road tightens its hold--her course. Will Molly know her when she returns, if she returns? Who is the "New Lou" really? Pulsing with energy and authentic detail, this story of self-discovery ushers readers backstage on a sensational world tour.