Reviews with content warning for Classism - You Should See Me in a Crown

i loved this. i cried! i relate to the mc in certain ways & her talk w her grandma tugged at my heartstrings. i usually don’t like pop culture references in books but i didn’t mind it in this one.

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aishallnot's review against another edition

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challenging lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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morganperks's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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bedtimesandbooks's review against another edition

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hopeful medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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laurenfro22's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

"I never needed this race, or a hashtag, or the king to be a queen. I was born royalty. All I had to do was pick up my crown."

Of the contemporary YA books I've read, this is certainly my favorite. Johnson does a fantastic job getting the reader into the headspace of a queer, Black, teenage girl navigating high school and the looming transition into college. The characters are vibrant and I could feel the immediacy of their struggles. High school is often a lot of small fish feeling big in an even smaller pond. Johnson captures those weird interpersonal struggles, cliques, hopes, dreams, and heartbreaks in a way that feels real and true to the high school experiences.

The scenes of conflict, particularly about Liz's queerness, were very stressful. Especially being outed so publicly; high schoolers can be awful and as painful as that was to read about, it felt realistic. Johnson's depiction of Liz and Mac's push and pull, young love, breakup, and reunion is classic, and wonderfully specifically queer. The book has a good message and great characters delivering that message.

I think some folks may see the story as cringe-y or struggle to get into it - I think it's not for everyone. As someone who came out later in life, this is a book I wish I had in high school, a story where I could see my emotions and tumult reflected back to know I wasn't alone. Despite the story being centered around prom and its lead up, I appreciated the depth Johnson gave to her plot through her side characters and the clear importance of music, discussions around mental health, and very frank examination of intersectionality.

This is well worth the read. It is a feel good YA novel with heartbreak and love, bravery and growth, and deserves every golden crown.

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criticalbooks's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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