Books like You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
Liz Lighty believes she can rise above her small, affluent town of Campbell, Indiana, by attending the exclusive Pennington College, playing in its renowned orchestra, and ultimately becoming a doctor. When the financial aid that would make that possible suddenly falls through, the girl's future plans crumble. In a twist of fate, Liz learns that her school offers a scholarship for prom king and queen—a role she never imagined she’d seek. Despite her anxiety about being in the spotlight, Liz is willing to endure social-media trolls, competitive classmates, and public humiliations to secure the scholarship. Along the way, she meets the new girl, Mack, who is smart, funny, and shares Liz’s outsider status. Their budding friendship—and emerging attraction—complicates Liz’s ambition and questions whether the competition will hinder or help her dreams.
The novel explores themes of ambition, identity, and friendship against a backdrop of LGBTQ youth navigating high‑school social pressures and the pursuit of higher education.
First publish date: 2020
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/YA Romance
Authors: Leah Johnson
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