Pink Smog: Becoming Weetzie Bat

Pink Smog, the long-awaited prequel to Francesca Lia Block's groundbreaking novel Weetzie Bat, was praised as "an intoxicating mix of mystery, fantasy, and romance" by ALA Booklist in a starred review. Weetzie Bat is one of the seminal young adult novels of the '90s and continues to be an iconic treasure for teens everywhere. Now Pink Smog reintroduces a whole new generation to the eponymous Weetzie Bat-before she was Weetzie. Against the backdrop of a Los Angeles teeming with magical realism, Louise Bat struggles to find a way to deal with life after her father's unceremonious departure.

Longtime fans and newfound readers alike will fall in love with Francesca Lia Block's beautifully crafted and brutally honest world. Maggie Stiefvater, New York Times bestselling author of The Raven Boys, proclaimed "Pink Smog sparkles and obscures; it's a glorious mirage, like the city it pays homage to."

Extras in this paperback edition include "The Girl in the Pink Pinto," an essay about the inspiration for Weetzie Bat, the official Pink Smog playlist, an excerpt from Francesca Lia Block's next novel, and more!

Before she was Weetzie, she was just a girl trying to survive L.A.—and junior high.

• The Prequel Fans Have Waited For: Discover the world of Weetzie Bat from the very beginning and meet Louise Bat before she found her iconic name and her happy-ever-after.
• Found Family: Amid the cruelty of junior high, Louise finds her people in fellow outcasts Bobby and Lily, creating a bond to protect them from the harsh realities of their lives.
• A Complicated Mother-Daughter Relationship: With her father gone and her mother, Brandy-Lynn, lost in a haze of alcohol, Louise must learn to take care of herself—and the woman who is supposed to be taking care of her.
• A Mysterious Guardian: A strange boy named Winter appears whenever Louise is in trouble, but is he an angel, a part of a dark family secret, or something else entirely?
• Lyrical, Unforgettable Prose: Experience the unique, poetic voice of Francesca Lia Block that has captivated readers for decades and made Weetzie Bat a literary treasure.