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A review by laurenfro22
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
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.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Lesbophobia, Chronic illness, Classism, Death of parent, Racism, Toxic friendship, Biphobia, Cancer, Mental illness, and Outing