What I Like About Me
by Jenna Guillaume
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Pub Date Apr 07 2020 | Archive Date May 06 2020
Myrick Marketing & Media, LLC | Peachtree
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Description
You know all those movies where teenagers have, like, THE TIME OF THEIR LIVES? This vacation is probably not going to be that.
The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she'd be doing over vacation is entering a beauty pageant. Not when she's spent most of her life hiding her body from everyone. Not when her Dad is AWOL and her gorgeous older sister has returned to rock Maisie's already shaky confidence. And especially not when her best friend starts flirting with the boy she's always loved. But Maisie's got something to prove. As she writes down all the ways this vacation is going from bad to worse in her school-assignment journal, what starts as a homework torture-device might just end up being an account of how Maisie didn't let anything, or anyone, hold her back.
Jenna Guillame's American debut features a plus-size protagonist with a compelling, funny, and authentic narrative voice. This relatable and charming novel about friendship, confidence, and self-love will draw readers in as Maisie's realistic emotional journey unveils the importance of embracing one's body and celebrating one's self.
Advance Praise
“Debut author Guillaume’s novel features funny dialogue and fresh takes on body image and personal relationships as well as a plucky heroine who slowly but surely comes into her own…. Perfect for fans of Dumplin’, a hilariously sweet yet complex romance.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This book draws obvious parallels to Julie Murphy’s Dumplin’, but Maisie and her diverse cast of friends are fresh and distinctive, as is the Australian setting…. A fun, upbeat, and tender coming-of-age story written in an engaging and lively diary format.”—School Library Journal
“Guillaume’s delightful debut deals with teenagers and their self-esteem, as Maisie’s story is relayed through her journal entries. This intimate lens will invest readers in Maisie’s journey to self-acceptance and confidence. A fun story, abounding in humor, romance, and inspiration and filled with multifaceted characters that readers will enjoy.” —Booklist
Featured Reviews
Jaime S, Librarian
A wonderful book about acceptance in all forms - body acceptance, self-esteem, relationships, family, friendships. I hope we hear more from Jenna Guilluaume!
Michelle D, Reviewer
Wow. Just wow. I literally read this book in one and a half sittings (had a flight connection thus the half..). This book is about Maisie who is a teen going through teen stuff - body images, family issues, relationship woes. All the things every teen goes through in her/his lifetime. This book is absolutely remarkable and reminds people that you are your harshest critic, who cares what others think about you and it’s important to love who you are. Although this book deals with a lot (a LOT!), it’s never overwhelming or too much. As I mentioned, I could barely put this book down and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Terina A, Librarian
What I Like about Me by Jenna Guillaume is one of the funniest books I have read in a while. I literally laughed out loud (okay...I actually snorted some too) while reading it. My students kept looking at me funny, but I didn't care, I had to keep reading. The book is actually a journal (discovery journal) sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin has been assigned to do for school while heading to her annual winter family vacation in Australia, which is more like our summer vacations here with the beach, sunbathing, boardwalks, and lots of friends. Every year her favorite part of vacation is seeing her oh-so-hot childhood friend and crush Sebastian, and he just keeps getting hotter. Her best friend Anna just had the worst breakup so to cheer her up, she brings her along. The problem? Anna is "perfect", and Maisie is a self-described fat girl with fairly low self-esteem. That leaves Maisie stuck with Sebastian's pain-in-the-rear bff Beamer...not exactly the vacation she was looking forward to. Add to that the obvious tension between her parents (her dad didn't even bother going on the family vacation!), her perfect pageant-queen, semi-professional dancer sister she isn't speaking to, and just the whole idea of being a fat teen on the beach, this vacation is not ideal. So what does Maisie do? Enter the biggest pageant around. Why not? Her sister did it and so can she, maybe.
The complete honesty in this book is what made me love it. Yes, sometimes it's cheesy (and Guillaume owns it), but it's mostly embarrassing, awkward, and full of feels. Just the way teens are. Overall, Maisie learns to love herself the way she is while realizing no one is perfect. I can't wait to get this in my library. #WhatILikeAboutMe #JennaGuillaume #NetGalley Release date: April 1st, 2020
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