Every Friday after school, seventeen-year-old Alice Choy and her little sister, Olivia, head to Myeongdong to sing karaoke. Back in San Francisco, when she still had friends and earthly possessions, Alice took regular singing lessons. But since their diplomat mom moved them to Seoul, her only musical outlet is vamping it up in a private karaoke booth to an audience of one: her loyal sister.

Then a scout for Top10 Entertainment, one of the biggest K-pop companies, hears her and offers her a spot at their Star Academy. Can Alice navigate the culture clashes, egos, and extreme training practices of K-pop to lead her group onstage before a stadium of 50,000 chanting fans--and just maybe strike K-pop gold? Not if a certain influential blogger and the anti-fans get their way...

This debut novel is about standing out and fitting in, dreaming big and staying true. It will speak to fans of K-pop and to anyone who is trying to take their talents to the next level. (Walker Books Us)

Alexandra Leigh Young currently produces the New York Times podcast The Daily. She produced tours for pop bands for three years before moving to South Korea as a freelance journalist. An assignment on K-pop for NPR’s Radiolab became the basis for Idol Gossip, her first novel for young adults.

Lauren Gibaldi is a public librarian and the author of The Night We Said Yes, Autofocus, and This Tiny Perfect World. She has also contributed short stories to the anthologies Welcome Home and Color Outside the Lines. Lauren Gibaldi lives in Orlando, Florida, with her husband and daughters.

Eric Smith is a literary agent and the author of The Geek's Guide to Dating, The Girl and the Grove, Don't Read the Comments, and You Can Go Your Own Way. Eric Smith lives in Philadelphia with his wife and son.

Alexandra Leigh Young discusses "Idol Gossip" with Lauren Gibaldi & Eric Smith