Betsy Peterschmidt

Twelve-year-old Apple has always felt like she does not quite fit in with her classmates. After moving to Louisiana from the Philippines when she was little, she constantly feels caught between two worlds. Her mother still cooks traditional Filipino foods and often scolds Apple for becoming too American, making her feel even more out of place. Things go from bad to worse when her middle school friends suddenly turn their backs on her. With everything in her life feeling weird and embarrassing, Apple decides to turn to her biggest passion: music. She believes that if she can just save up enough money to buy a guitar and learn how to play, she can completely change who she is. But as she dives into her musical dreams, she meets two new friends who might just change her perspective entirely. You will root for Apple as she navigates the painful sting of middle school drama, discovers the healing power of music, and learns that true friends will love you exactly the way you are.