Choir Grrrl

Gr 6 Up–Granillo sings directly to the heart in this story about finding your distinct voice. Alondra Yniguez, a Mexican American eighth grader, has lived in the shadow of her father’s success all of her life. The frontman in an iconic and retired emo band, Past Perfection, Alondra can only hope to fill his studded shoes. Her band with her sisters, Beyond the Valley, is set to open for Past Perfection in an upcoming reunion tour, and the pressure to perform has never been higher. But, Alondra doesn’t know if she’s got the grit to be the front woman of an emo band. She needs a project just for her; no competitions, no expectations, just music. But her father has banned extracurricular activities to prepare for their tour, and her sisters would think she was abandoning them for another project. Alondra joins the choir club in secret and, in doing so, gains the courage to explore her own voice. This coming-of-age tale bursts with honesty and diversity. With a Mexican American protagonist, a host of complex characters, and a strong feminist themes, Granillo’s latest has enough heart and soul for every reader to find themselves within. Tackling tough topics like identity, divorce, family conflict, and learning disabilities, this novel is unafraid to confront big issues that are facing our young readers today.