What I Like About Me

By: Jenna Guillaume

Narrated by: Candice Moll

A funny, authentic YA debut about a teen girl juggling body image, friendship, family, and a beauty pageant…all on her summer vacation. From debut author Jenna Guillaume.

“This is the book I would hand to teen me.” ―Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“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’.” ―Kirkus Reviews

The last thing sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin thought she’d be doing on her 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.

Also available from Jenna Guillaume:
You Were Made for Me

I read this for a class

I’m taking a class in Children’s Literature for my Library Science masters program. I wasn’t sure about this book but I liked the premise: an overnight teenager who is very self conscious and surrounded by skinny people. I was pleasantly surprised by how good this book was. I loved the conversations the main character, Maisie, has with her journal. She shares her raw feelings about her best friend dating her crush. The pain she feels when others criticize her because of her weight and her worries about her parents relationship. In the end Maisie finds love and the courage to accept herself just the way she is.