Literature Reviews - 2025

Comprehensive Review of You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson

Introduction

Leah Johnson’s You Should See Me in a Crown is a vibrant and heartfelt YA contemporary novel that follows Liz Lighty, a Black, queer teenager from a small Midwestern town who finds herself running for prom queen—not for the crown, but for the scholarship money that comes with it. Liz is an intelligent, musically talented introvert who never intended to enter the spotlight. However, when her dream of attending Pennington College is threatened by financial setbacks, she takes on the challenge of navigating high school politics, social media, and systemic discrimination to secure her future.

Amidst the prom court drama, Liz finds herself falling for Mack, the new girl at school—who also happens to be her competitor for prom queen. What follows is a story of self-discovery, resilience, and the courage to demand space in a world that often tries to shrink those who don’t conform to its norms.

Plot & Themes

1. The Prom as a Social Battleground

The book is set in Campbell, Indiana, a small, conservative town where prom is treated like the Super Bowl of high school social life. The competition for prom queen is fierce, political, and highly publicized, with an entire social media platform (Campbell Confidential) dedicated to tracking students' popularity.

Liz, who has avoided the spotlight her whole life, suddenly finds herself in the center of a ruthless competition filled with online scrutiny, public humiliation, and sabotage. The novel highlights how traditional high school structures reinforce systemic biases, especially against Black students, LGBTQ+ individuals, and those from lower-income backgrounds.

2. Identity and Self-Acceptance

One of the most powerful aspects of the book is Liz’s journey toward self-acceptance. She starts the novel believing she must shrink herself to fit into her community’s narrow definition of success. However, through the novel’s events, she realizes:

• She deserves to take up space—whether as a queer girl, a Black student, or someone who doesn’t conform to her school’s elite social norms.
• Her queerness is not something to hide—despite the homophobia present in her town.
• Her worth isn’t dictated by how others perceive her—especially the privileged, mostly white, wealthy students who have always dominated Campbell High’s traditions.

Liz’s struggle with internalized self-doubt and fear of being outed is handled with nuance and sensitivity, making her journey both relatable and inspiring.

3. Friendship, Family, and Love

• Mack (Liz’s love interest) is a confident, openly gay skater girl, and their romance is sweet, awkward, and beautifully developed. Their relationship is a slow burn, built on shared experiences of being outsiders in Campbell High.
• Liz’s friendship dynamics are complex, with new and rekindled relationships (like her former best friend, Jordan). The book also explores toxic friendships and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who support and uplift you.
• Her family plays a crucial role—Liz’s brother, Robbie, has sickle cell anemia, adding another layer of stress to Liz’s life. Her grandparents are her rock, showcasing a strong intergenerational family dynamic.

4. Systemic Discrimination & Intersectionality

The novel does not shy away from tackling racism, homophobia, classism, and ableism. Campbell High’s prom system is rigidly heteronormative, reinforcing:

• Only girls can run for queen, only boys can run for king.
• Same-sex couples aren’t allowed to attend together.
• Black students, queer students, and poor students are subtly discouraged from competing.

Liz faces racism and queerphobia, particularly from Rachel, a “Racist Regina George” who actively tries to sabotage her campaign. However, the novel also highlights allyship, as several characters challenge these discriminatory structures.

Character Development

Liz Lighty (Protagonist)

Liz is a deeply relatable and well-rounded character. She is:
✅ Smart and ambitious, with a passion for music and a dream of attending Pennington College.
✅ Anxious and introverted, struggling with social anxiety while being thrust into the spotlight.
✅ Resilient, gradually learning to assert herself and demand space in a world that often overlooks people like her.
✅ Witty and introspective, delivering some of the book’s most memorable, thought-provoking lines.

Mack (Love Interest)

Mack is an openly queer, confident, and rebellious skater girl who challenges Liz’s perception of herself. Their relationship is organic and well-paced, portraying realistic queer romance in YA fiction.

Supporting Characters

• Robbie (Liz’s brother) — His sickle cell anemia adds stakes to Liz’s challenges, as she worries for his health.
• Jordan (Former best friend turned ally) — A well-rounded character who redeems himself over time.
• Rachel (Antagonist) — A textbook “mean girl”, serving as the primary antagonist who represents privilege, racism, and homophobia.

Writing Style & Narrative Structure

Leah Johnson’s writing is:
✅ Engaging and fluid—the first-person POV allows us to deeply connect with Liz’s emotions.
✅ Humorous and heartfelt—balancing serious themes with lighthearted moments.
✅ Fast-paced, with short chapters that keep the story moving.

There are pop culture references (like Hamilton and Avatar: The Last Airbender), which make the book feel fresh and relatable for contemporary YA readers.

Criticism & Weaknesses

While You Should See Me in a Crown is a fantastic novel, there are a few minor critiques:

Some side characters feel underdeveloped—particularly Liz’s friend group, who serve more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals.
The prom obsession can feel exaggerated—for readers unfamiliar with American high school traditions, the level of prom fanaticism might seem over-the-top.
The book tackles many themes at once, and while Johnson handles them well, some readers may feel certain aspects (like Liz’s relationship with her brother) could have been explored more deeply.

Final Thoughts & Rating

You Should See Me in a Crown is an uplifting, beautifully written YA novel that combines romance, self-discovery, and social commentary in a powerful and engaging way. It is a must-read for fans of contemporary YA, queer fiction, and diverse stories.

✅ Strong LGBTQ+ & Black representation.
✅ Engaging, well-paced writing.
✅ A heartwarming romance with realistic challenges.
✅ An empowering message about self-acceptance and resilience.