Meet Me at the Picket Line
Out May 26, 2026 (Harper/HarperCollins)
Cover Art by Rommy Torrico
Cover Design by David DeWitt
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Unionizing his job wasn’t on Eli Goldstein’s summer bucket list—but neither was falling for his irritatingly self-righteous and handsome school rival. Sparks fly on the picket line in this hilarious, coming-of-age rom-com that’s perfect for fans of Jason June, Page Powars, and A.M. Woody!
All’s fair in love and solidarity...
Eli Goldstein might be the only teenager looking forward to earning minimum wage at his objectively terrible summer job. Not only will he be working at the kitschy roadside museum he loves, he’ll finally have the down payment for his top surgery with a first-class surgeon.
But the museum really is a late-stage capitalist hellscape, and Eli’s co-workers—led by his irritatingly self-righteous and annoyingly attractive school rival, Efraín—plan to unionize. With his sanity and safety at risk on the job, Eli knows he has to join their campaign.
If he and Efraín can stop bickering long enough to keep their ragtag union together, they might actually have a shot. But when management begins to grow suspicious, Eli will have to make a choice: Is he willing to stand in solidarity with his friends and the boy he’s starting to fall for, even if it means risking his job and the key to his life-changing surgery?
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praise for meet me at the picket line
“A swoonworthy romance wrapped in courage, solidarity, and queer happiness!”
— Mason Deaver, bestselling author of I Wish You All the Best
“A rally cry of a book, proving that the kids are more than just alright—they’re ready to lead the way.”
— Brian D. Kennedy, award-winning author of A Little Bit Country
“Sanchez has crafted yet another pitch-perfect read for socially conscious teens, cementing himself as a must-read author for the next generation.”
— Dahlia Adler, award-winning author of Cool for the Summer
“Strikes the perfect balance between heartfelt love letter to classic TV fandom and a stand-up-and-cheer rallying cry for workplace justice.”
— Isaac Fitzsimons, author of The Passing Playbook
“A heartfelt and inspiring story of teens standing up to the unfair systems around them and changing their futures.”
— L.C. Rosen, author of Camp
“Meet Me At The Picket Line captures the power and complexity of collective organizing—and finding love where you least expect it—with nuance, heart, and plenty of snappy banter. By turns empowering, gut-wrenching, and achingly relatable, Sanchez’s latest is a page-turner that had me cheering on Eli, Efraín, and their friends and fellow workers.”
— Ray Stoeve, author of Worst-Case Scenario
“Jasper Sanchez fans of the world, unite! This bold, funny novel encompasses the heartbreak and the hope along the way to finding your place in solidarity with your community. The thoroughly engaging narrator will charm you, move you, and inspire you at the next picket line.”
— Miel Moreland, author of Something Like Possible
“Well-drawn characters in a vivid setting with a whole lot of heart. I won't be the only one who gets a little misty-eyed reading about the journey of this ragtag union. Solidarity forever!”
— Jessica Mary Best, author of Stars, Hide Your Fires
content warnings
please note: this section is under construction; additional CWs may be added or refined
primary (explicit, on-page):
transphobia • misgendering • homophobia • workplace discrimination & harassment • classism • ableism • antisemitism • gender dysphoria • autistic overwhelm & shutdown • anxiety • panic attacks • cyberbullying • swearing
secondary (non-explicit, off-page or brief):
racism • xenophobia