You Should See Me in a Crown

You Should See Me in a Crown is a perfect YA contemporary book.

The book's so well written and the realism and issues folded together nicely. My critical brain was fully able to step back and just enjoy this book. And what a great book it was?

Liz Lightly is a music nerd, a Black girl, and likes girls. In the small town of Campbell, none of the things really endear her to running for Prom Queen, especially not in a town where Prom is a Really Big Deal. When a scholarship for her dream school doesn't pan out, the $10,000 awarder being voted Prom Queen feels like the only way out. And Liz is game. She's a fighter. It's the Lighty way.

I like Liz or many reasons, but one of these reasons was because she's messy. Liz Lighty is an underdog in show more so many ways and she's such a strong person because when the world kicks her down, so gets back up again. Every. Single. Time. Most of this book feels like just a normal semester in Liz's life but as you read further and further, you feel Liz's exhaustion and the burdens she bears every day by just being who she is, let alone trying to get the scholarship. There are so many brilliant thing Leah Johnson did in You Should See Me in a Crown, one of which was that the fact that Liz would be the first Black Prom Queen in town... but that was never the Point of the story. Johnson keeps this story about Liz, not about making a statement about changing the world. Instead, she showed the world from Liz's perspective and helped make the reader aware of the problems. There are people who are terrible in the universe and people who are trying to do better.

I liked that this story about about Liz, and not about racism, homophobia, or a specific issue. Issue books are important and have their place, but books about people are important, too. This is an important book in its own right, but it's important to see the people in stories and not just the issues. And You Should See Me in a Crown touches on so much! Liz feels so alive in this book, with so many interests and worries and small joys, and I was really rooting for her the whole time. And, don't get me wrong - the issues here are important and need to be given their consideration. But Liz isn't taking on the world here. She's taking care of her world.

You Should See Me in a Crown is a great story about life and love and friendship and dreams and fear and hope and just... it's genuinely such a good book. It has a lot to teach its readers, it makes you mad at times but in the ways it aims to. It's an enjoyable read alongside being an important one. I totally, completely, 100% recommend it. show less

Where do I even start with this book? I bought You Should See Me In A Crown during the summer when it came out, but hadn’t had a chance to get to it yet. When it popped up as a choice on Libro.FM I knew it was going to be my next audiobook and I’m so glad that I made that choice! Leah Johnson has crafted one heck of a story here. Liz Lighty is my kind of character, and I loved every second of my time with her.

First off, can we give kudos to how well the whole relationship is done in this story? So often I get disenchanted with a story because of uncomfortable instant love that appears out of nowhere. Not here, my friends. Not here. In fact all of Liz’s relationships, from her friendships, to her family interactions, to her love show more interest are all beautifully done. Liz feels like someone who could be your best friend. I warn you, you’re going to get attached and you’re probably going to grin a lot during this story.

I also couldn’t get over how well done the high school backdrop is built up here. Liz lives in a city that frowns upon anything that isn’t “perfect” and well-mannered. We’ve seen that before. However I appreciated how this story went deeper and showed how ready the younger generation was to show up for Liz no matter what. I won’t spoil anything, but this story perfectly points out how often those kinds of negative attitudes are actually deeply seeded in the adult population. When I tell you I cheered more than once during this book, I’m being serious.

Honestly I could gush about this book for an entire term paper’s worth of time, but I feel like I’d definitely accidentally give something away that you should discover for yourself. I’ll leave it at the fact that I was so impressed with this entire story. The characters, the plot, the development, all of it just blew me away. If you’re looking for a read that is heartfelt, deals gorgeously with some tough topics, and gives the teen population a big old hug for being themselves, this is it. show less

I've read a LOT of YA novels, and a lot of them have very similar plots. The main character is a high school senior who's been mostly a wall-flower throughout their high school career with the exception of maybe one or two special hobbies or classes. They (usually a she, if I'm being honest) are forced out of their comfort zone in order to do something that will help them secure their future, often times a way out of their small town. I've even read YA books where that "something" is a competition, complete with winning a crown! And there's nothing wrong with a standard YA plot. As anyone who's been forced to study literature knows, all stories are the same story. That said, I'm not sure I loved any of those other standard plot YA show more novels as much as this book. Leah Johnson takes this very standard plot and keeps it fresh and funny. I love the addition of the Campbell Confidential and how that adds a better look at how being a young adult nowadays truly is. I love being able to watch Liz grow out of her shell and realize who she is and wants to be. The romance in the story is super adorable, and I love that Liz and Jordan are able to make amends. I truly feel that a lesser writer would've taken Johnson's concept and made it "okay" while Johnson knocked it out of the park. I can't wait to read more from her in the future! show less

An Indiana teen struggles to find her place as she balances her passion for music with her anxiety and her high school's ingrained prejudice against her. Despite the heavy subject matter, this book is so full of joy. Liz felt so real and was easy to connect with. Her vulnerability and strength were beautiful and you can't help rooting for her.

*As a Hoosier, I absolutely loved all the Indy references in the book. From Rick's Boat Yard to the Arts Garden to Ritters, it was so fun to recognize the westside where I've lived for most of my life.

“Just because it could be worse doesn't mean you don't get to acknowledge how much it sucks, you know.”

“High school is complicated, and the lines of demarcation that The Breakfast Club said show more divided us aren’t quite so clean-cut. The athletes are also the smart kids; the theater kids are also the presidents of the student council. But there’s still those outliers. The people who are everywhere but fit nowhere.” show less

Loved it. Glad to have this in my classroom to recommend to BIPOC and queer students--representation is so important, and this book hits all the right notes. Also, I'm pretty sure this is the first book I've read with a Black protagonist that felt light and airy throughout--that's not a criticism of this or other books, just a difference. There's still conflict and there's still serious issues addressed, but the overall tone and feel of the book is joyful--and that's just as important for us all to read as the books that land a bit heavier in our souls.

Loved, loved, loved this! Leah Johnson does a fantastic job of bundling hard issues into a fluffy ridiculous event and the result is a readable, heartfelt, and impactful story that isn't too on the nose or too depressing for teens. Liz Lighty is devastated when she finds out she didn't get the expected scholarship to go to college. She doesn't want her grandparents to worry about money so she decides in an act of desperation to enter her high school's prom competition - the winner receives a 10kk scholarship. Liz has always been more of a wallflower - she has her small group of friends - but it's hard being black and queer in Indiana. How on earth will she win that crown?! Humorous, smart, and brave - everyone needs a friend like Liz show more Lighty - a fantastic teen read about acceptance, courage, staying true to yourself, and doing the right thing in the face of adversity. show less

Loved, loved, loved this! Leah Johnson does a fantastic job of bundling hard issues into a fluffy ridiculous event and the result is a readable, heartfelt, and impactful story that isn't too on the nose or too depressing for teens. Liz Lighty is devastated when she finds out she didn't get the expected scholarship to go to college. She doesn't want her grandparents to worry about money so she decides in an act of desperation to enter her high school's prom competition - the winner receives a 10kk scholarship. Liz has always been more of a wallflower - she has her small group of friends - but it's hard being black and queer in Indiana. How on earth will she win that crown?! Humorous, smart, and brave - everyone needs a friend like Liz show more Lighty - a fantastic teen read about acceptance, courage, staying true to yourself, and doing the right thing in the face of adversity. show less