You Should See Me in a Crown

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 Lighty - a fantastic teen read about acceptance, courage, staying true to yourself, and doing the right thing in the face of adversity. 

Red, White and Royal Blue

I loved everything about this!!! The witty banter, the slow burn romance, the politics, the friendships. All of it! It was so well written! The quick and dirty summary is that the president of the first female president ever hates the stuffy, pompous grandson of the Queen of England. When they are forced to be in each other's presence for Henry's older brother's wedding they get into a scuffle and nearly start an international incident. They have to pretend to be best friends now to save face and in the process of being friends Alex decides that maybe.... Henry isn't all that bad after all. Adorable, super witty, emotional, and all around fantastic. I will read anything this author writes now. Instant fan!!