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I Am Not Jessica Chen |
by Ann Liang |
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Book Summary |
YA Fiction (ages 13-17) |
Jenna Chen has spent her life in the shadow of her flawless cousin. Jessica Chen is so smart she gets the top score on every test. Jessica Chen is so beautiful people stop in the hallway to stare at her. Jessica Chen is so perfect she got into Harvard. And Jenna Chen will only ever be a disappointment. So when Jenna makes a desperate wish to become her cousin, the last thing she expects is for it to come true-literally. All of a sudden she gets to live the life she's always dreamed of ... but being the model student at cutthroat Havenwood Private Academy isn't quite what she'd imagined. Worse, people seem to be forgetting that someone named Jenna Chen ever existed. But isn't it worth trading it all away-her artistic talent, her childhood home, even the hope of golden boy Aaron Cai loving her back-to be Jessica Chen? HarperCollins | ISBN-978-1335523129 | 320 pages | Jan 18, 2025 | YA Fiction Why This Is a Good Book for Young Adults:
This is such a good read for young adults because it really gets the pressure they're under - grades, expectations, and that constant feeling of being compared to everyone else. It's easy to relate to the main character, even if you've never been in her exact situation, because the story is really about figuring out who you are when the world keeps telling you who you should be. It's thoughtful without being heavy, and it opens the door to great conversations about identity, ambition, and learning to be okay with your own version of success. |
Praise |
"A creative twist on the classic Freaky Friday trope. This is a poignant exploration of what it means to be uniquely "you" and the struggles of wanting what you don't have. The supporting characters are diverse and uniquely flawed, adding depth to Jenna's character and propelling the story with its relatability. VERDICT Hand this to students who never feel like what they do is enough, who just want to feel seen, and who long for that moment of fame and feeling perfect. Highly recommended." - School Library Journal (starred review)
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