Wavelength - by Cale Plett (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

Hannah Montana meets Heartstopper in this story of a teen pop star on the run from fame who finds family, love and gender euphoria when they become entangled with a local band.

Seventeen-year-old pop sensation Sasha may be famous, but they've always kept a layer of anonymity by covering their face to perform. Facing pressure to unmask in public, Sasha runs away to a nowhere midwestern city, planning to finish senior year and come out as nonbinary away from the limelight. But their plan falters from the moment they meet Wavelength, an alt-rock band, and their lead singer.

Lillian is struggling to keep the band together, caught in a mess of lyrics, late-night texts and ill-conceived love notes. She's torn between feelings for her ex-girlfriend (and ex-bandmember) and her new infatuation with Sasha. Maybe this stranger is the new singer and the new love she's looking for -- even though Sasha's stories don't seem to quite add up.

If a whisper of Sasha's fame gets out, their new life is over. Sasha's manager is tracking them down, Wavelength is on the rise, and everyone's hearts are in the mosh pit. Turn off the houselights. The band's counting in.

Key Text Features

chapters

dialogue

lyrics

Review Quotes

"Cale Plett hits all the rights notes in this queer coming-of-age that explores how the best performance of your life is being your authentic self -- a euphoric, lyrical book that'll have your heart singing!" -- Matthew Hubbard, author of The Last Boyfriends Rules for Revenge

"Plett weaves together some of my favorite romantic comedy tropes like hidden identities and small town settings, with some of the most beautiful writing I've seen in YA literature." -- Tanya Boteju, author of Kings, Queens, and In-Betweens

"Plett draws characters that are wonderfully complex and heart-warming. ... A worthwhile and important addition to any high school rainbow reads section." -- Canadian Children's Book News

"Plett sets a driving pace for characters who engage in chest-thumping banter as they explore their identities, their relationships and worry about the future." -- Winnipeg Free Press

"The flow of the prose and plot compassionately portrays everything simultaneously beautiful and catastrophic about queer teenage self-discovery. ... A clear reflection of a very specific type of queer experience that is often overlooked in YA literature." -- Booklist, STARRED REVIEW

"Endearing and tender." -- Foreword Reviews

"An emotional, heartwarming debut filled with queer joy." -- Kirkus Reviews