You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Liz and Amanda confess their feelings for each other and begin dating secretly so as not to derail Liz’s prom campaign. Liz grows closer to Jordan as a result of her doubts about Gabi, and the pair are able to repair the hurt feelings that led to the dissolution of their friendship when they started high school. Gabi continues making changes to Liz’s campaign and her outward presentation that make Liz question the strength and basis of their friendship. Liz’s friend, Gabi, urges her to keep her sexuality a secret so she does not alienate the conservative students at the school despite how much it hurts her. As the prom season gets underway, Liz must complete various community service projects that bring her closer to her former best friend, Jordan Jennings, and another new girl that Liz is romantically interested in, Amanda. Liz agrees, however, and her friends help to plan her campaign. Liz is also far from the most popular girl in school and suffers from a social anxiety brought on by her mother’s tragic passing from sickle cell disease. As her town is obsessed with all things prom, Liz is reluctant to enter the campaign and subject herself to gossip and scrutiny. Her younger brother, Robbie, suggests that she run for prom queen and the hefty scholarship awarded to the winner. Liz is rejected from the scholarship and begins to despair because she knows her grandparents do not have the money for the expensive tuition. She waits to hear from a scholarship application which would pay for college. Liz is dreaming of attending the music program at Pennington College in the coming year and studying to become a doctor.

She does wish she had somebody to invite her to the dance, so she feels lonely that she is single and has no interest in any of her fellow students.

Liz Lighty spends the lunch period in the cafeteria with her friends, annoyed at the various prom invitations. The following version of this book was used to create this study guide: Johnson, Leah.

You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson