Who Would Like This Book:
This book is a breath of fresh air for YA contemporary fans looking for a mix of heart and humor. Liz Lighty, a talented, quirky, Black, queer teen, is an unforgettable underdog you can’t help but root for as she tackles high school, family expectations, anxiety, and her own dreams. Readers who want a coming-of-age story with real representation, lovable side characters, authentic friendships, and a cute sapphic romance will feel right at home. If you’ve enjoyed books like Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda or just crave wholesome, feel-good, but meaningful stories, this one's for you.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Not everyone clicked with Liz’s journey. Some found the plot predictable or too reliant on high school drama tropes, and a few felt the book tried too hard to be relatable with lots of pop culture references. If you’re not into stories centered on high school politics like prom courts, or prefer heavier, more issue-focused narratives, you might not love this one. Also, older readers might find the tone skews a bit young and the resolution a touch tidy.
About:
In "You Should See Me in a Crown" by Leah Johnson, Liz, a high school senior, faces the disappointment of losing her music scholarship for college and decides to run for prom queen in order to secure a scholarship. The book explores themes of friendship, love, acceptance, and staying true to oneself in the face of adversity. Despite addressing serious issues like race, queerness, and anxiety, the overall tone of the book is joyful and heartwarming, making it a delightful and uplifting read for teens.
The story follows Liz as she navigates her way through high school, dealing with mean girls, forming new relationships, and finding the courage to be her authentic self. Set in a suburban town in Indiana, the book offers a mix of light-hearted moments and deeper reflections on identity, family, and pursuing one's dreams, all while maintaining a sense of joy and hope throughout the narrative.
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Notes:
Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
Content warnings include anxiety, panic attacks, chronic illness, and death of a parent.
Has Romance?
The romance element is present but is not the sole focus of the book.
From The Publisher:
A Stonewall Honor Book!
A Reese's Book Club YA Pick!
Liz Lighty has always believed she's too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed midwestern town. But it's okay - Liz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Liz's plans come crashing down . . . until she's reminded of her school's scholarship for prom king and queen. There's nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight she's willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.The only thing that makes it halfway bearable is the new girl in school, Mack. She's smart, funny, and just as much of an outsider as Liz. But Mack is also in the running for queen. Will falling for the competition keep Liz from her dreams . . . or make them come true?
Ratings (26)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (10) | |
It Was OK (5) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (108):
Read It (27) | |
Want To Read (31) | |
Did Not Finish (4) | |
Not Interested (46) |
2 comment(s)
Such a good book. All the good stuff was there. Heart, humor, anger, resentment, and evolution. Watching all of the characters grow not just the main character was wonderful. The author balanced them all so it was still Lighty's story but a fully developed world that felt real and timely.
3.5 stars. This was shockingly sweet and I keept cheering the main characters a long the way. It had a bit of depth in it, not just a sweet f/f romance. But I wasn't fully in love with it
What can you read after
You Should See Me in a Crown?
About the Author:
Leah Johnson is a writer, editor and eternal Midwesterner, currently moonlighting as a New Yorker. She is a graduate of Indiana University and Sarah Lawrence College, where she received her MFA in fiction writing, and currently teaches in their undergraduate writing program. When she's not writing, you can usually find her on Twitter, ranting about pop culture and politics. You Should See Me in a Crown is her first novel.
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