A Song Called Home

Gr 5-8–Fifth grader Louisa (Lou) Emerson struggles with her alcoholic father’s departure from her family. Left to help her pick up the pieces is her older sister, Casey, who is either on her phone or angry most of the time. To complicate life even further, her mother is engaged to a man named Steve, who Lou isn’t even sure she likes. On her birthday, a guitar mysteriously appears outside her apartment door. Convinced it’s from her father, Lou is determined to learn to play it. As her emotions spiral out of control, she begins to steal things; little things that remind her that she still does have some power. On the day of her mother’s wedding, Lou’s dad shows up uninvited and intoxicated. Frustrated that she can’t even hold a normal conversation with her transient father, and with attending a new school close to Steve’s house, Lou’s stealing ramps up and ends up hurting someone very dear to her. Things start to look up when she meets a neighbor who can teach her to play the guitar in time for the school talent show. As her playing improves, Lou is certain that when her dad hears her perform in the talent show, things will be better.