Our Way Back to Always

Gr 8 Up–Senior year is about to begin when Lou unearths “Lou and Sam’s To-Do List Before We Graduate,” a six-year-old bucket list Lou created with Sam, her ex-best friend. When Sam discovers Lou found the list, he’s determined they’ll complete it together before the end of the school year. For Lou, this means getting close to Sam again, which has her wary given her past experience. For Sam, it’s his chance to prove he can complete something, despite a recent tragedy throwing his life off course. What these two former friends don’t expect is how this list will completely challenge their world and reshape their perspectives of each other. Moreno’s delightful romance is a winning sophomore novel, set in the same sunny Florida town as Don’t Date Rosa Santos. This warm romance showcases teens working on their mental health in an emotionally realistic way. As Lou and Sam’s senior year progresses, their anxiety over the future reveals how loss and rejection are normal parts of life. And yet, despite these seemingly heavy topics, the tone of the novel remains upbeat and encouraging, as readers cheer on Lou and Sam’s evolving relationship. Lou is Colombian and white; Sam is Cuban and white.