You Should See Me in a Crown

YA fiction

    "My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I pull it out faster than should be humanly possible.

     And it takes less than a minute for everything around me to completely fall apart."

     Liz, protagonist of Leah Johnson's You Should See Me in a Crown, has just learned that she didn't get the scholarship she needs to attend the college she's been focused on attending like forever.  She was going to play in their orchestra while going pre med.  Her goal is to be a hematologist and work with sickle cell patients.  The disease took her mother and keeps her brother's life precarious.

     But all may not be lost.  Liz's school is obsessed with prom the way many high schools are with athletics.  King and queen receive hefty scholarships--enough money to make her dream college a reality.  She should become a candidate.  What could go wrong?

     First of all, apart from orchestra, Liz is super self conscious, afraid of having a misstep caught and shared on Campbell Confidential, her school's gossip app.  The competition for prom royalty consists of a month of very public events.  Designated students armed with phones will capture and broadcast everything they consider social media worthy.  

     And then there's the very small group deemed prom royalty worthy.  As you probably can guess, it's the well off, popular, white kids who look like models.  Legacies also have an edge.

     As if that isn't enough, Rachel, a mean girl who is a top contender for queen, is her avowed enemy.  Something about Liz beating her out for valedictorian?

     If you have a heart for the underdog you'll love You Should See Me in a Crown.

On a purrrsonal note, Student Wellness has set the Coe room up to be a final exam stress busting zone.  They have soothing music and crafts.  I've been making some really cool bracelets.  (Jules)

Eugene went to camp to go fishing.  I miss him.  (Tobago)

A great big shout out goes out to the awesome Student Wellness people who create wonderful spaces to grow together.

Tobago and Jules Hathaway 

     

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