Liz Lighty prioritizes her escape from Campbell, Indiana, through a scholarship to Pennington College. When her financial aid package falls through, she enters the town’s obsessive race for prom queen to secure the accompanying prize money. As a queer Black girl who feels out of place in her wealthy, white-dominated school, Liz navigates public scrutiny, old friendships, and high school social hierarchies. Complications arise when she falls for Mack, a new student and direct competitor for the crown, forcing Liz to choose between hiding her identity and winning the prize.
This story serves readers interested in contemporary young adult fiction that tackles the intersection of race, financial anxiety, and sexual orientation. Those who enjoy romantic comedies find a narrative focused on overcoming systemic barriers and social exclusion. Readers walk away with a specific look at how community support and personal authenticity can function within rigid institutional traditions. It provides a blueprint for maintaining integrity while navigating competitive environments designed to favor a specific mold.
Practical and clear-cut; an easy read.
Best for readers like The Escapist Adventurer. Which reader are you?
- Published
- 2020
- ISBN
- 9781338503265
- Language
- EN
