You Should See Me in a Crown

Liz Lighty needs a scholarship to attend her dream school, Pennington College, where she plans to join the orchestra and study medicine. When her financial aid falls through, she enters her high school's prom queen competition, which offers a substantial scholarship to the winner. The competition pushes Liz far outside her comfort zone in Campbell, Indiana, where she has always tried to stay under the radar as one of the few Black students at her wealthy high school. Her run for prom queen forces her into the spotlight and onto social media, testing her resolve to achieve her college dreams. As Liz navigates the challenging contest requirements, she develops feelings for another prom queen candidate, Mack, adding unexpected complications to her carefully laid plans. This coming-of-age story explores themes of identity, belonging, and the courage to be visible in spaces where differences aren't always celebrated. Through Liz's journey, the novel examines how pursuing dreams sometimes requires confronting fears and breaking out of self-imposed boundaries.

Readers highlight this YA romance for its authentic representation of a queer Black teen protagonist and its balance of serious themes with lighter moments. The book maintains a 4.2/5 rating on Goodreads (82,000+ ratings) and 4.6/5 on Amazon (2,000+ ratings). Readers appreciate: - Natural dialogue and humor - Positive portrayal of friendship and family relationships - Discussion of anxiety and financial struggles - Small-town Midwest setting - Character growth throughout the story Common criticisms: - Predictable plot points - Some side characters lack depth - Pacing issues in the middle section - Resolution feels rushed Reader quotes: "Finally a Black queer romance that doesn't center trauma" - Goodreads "The anxiety representation hit close to home" - Amazon "Would have liked more development of the love interest" - BookTok review "Perfect balance of serious topics and fun moments without feeling preachy" - Storygraph

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★ The novel was Leah Johnson's debut work and won the 2021 Stonewall Book Award for Young Adult Literature, recognizing exceptional LGBTQ+ books. ★ The story's setting was inspired by Johnson's own experiences growing up in Indiana, where prom culture plays a significant role in high school social life. ★ Classical music, particularly orchestral performance, serves as a key element in the narrative - reflecting the growing trend of diverse representation in traditionally Eurocentric musical spaces. ★ The book was part of a larger movement in 2020 that saw a significant increase in Black LGBTQ+ protagonists in young adult literature. ★ The scholarship prize mentioned in the book ($10,000) mirrors real-life prom queen competitions in some American high schools that offer academic scholarships to winners.