Thirteen-year-old Alondra Yniguez’s dad was the frontman for the alt-rock band Past Perfection, and has trained Alondra and her younger sisters to follow in his footsteps. Now, the girls’ band Beyond the Valley is set to open for Past Perfection on a reunion tour—but Alondra is having second thoughts. She prefers quieter music that better fits with her voice’s clear tones.
A classmate’s invitation to join the choir club is tempting, but Alondra attends in secret so as not to disappoint her dad or make her sisters think she’s slacking. Eighth grade is hard enough, especially because Alondra, who is dyslexic (and is implied to have anxiety), struggles in English and is bullied by other students. Not only that, but her parents are separated and likely to divorce, and the upcoming concert could mean that their mother, a music publicist, would come back home. Can Alondra bring the parts of her life into harmony and find her true voice?
Author Ashley Granillo creates a fun twist on a coming of age tale, with references to real-life emo bands and the riot grrrl movement throughout—as well as a look at the gender bias in certain musical genres and the racial bias in others, which become increasingly clear to Alondra, a Mexican American girl. Alondra is also asexual and “probably aromantic,” and seems comfortable with that, finding companionship with a peer who is equally comfortable letting her be herself.
The book touches on challenging topics like divorce and family dynamics, unrealistic expectations (for ourselves and others), learning differences, and intersectional representation, but keeps the tone light and engaging, making it a recommended read.
One secondary character has two dads; another is nonbinary.
