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“Chock-full of vibrant characters and well-drawn backstage tour details. . . .but the portrayals of infatuation and a toxic relationship are exemplary. A deeply resonant story of identity and growing up.”

—Kirkus Reviews

“Lou is a fun character to follow. . . . [this] fast-paced novel will be of interest to teens who enjoy romance and music. The diverse racial and ethnic cast of characters also adds to the book’s appeal.”

—School Library Journal

“Aside from its excellent examination of the slide from an ill-advised flirtation to an unhealthy and damaging situation, Lou’s story incorporates a strong and forgiving friendship and an entertaining peek behind the scenes of a major tour operation.”

—Booklist

Lou with the Band

Written by Alexandra Leigh Young
Published by Walker Books US

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.

Primary ISBN: 9781536230116
Publication Date: October 2025
Available As: Hardcover, Audiobook
Young Adult, Age 12 or older

Community Represented:

Themes: , , , , , , , , ,

Setting: United States (Texas), Europe, China, Japan

Character's Place in the Immigration Journey: Unknown Arrival

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