This Is Not a Personal Statement -- Tracy Badua, Hardcover

Admission meets American Panda in this propulsive, poignant YA contemporary novel about a teen who, after getting rejected from her dream college, forges her own acceptance and commits to living a lie. Perfect for fans of Mary H.K. Choi!

At sixteen, Perla is the youngest graduating senior of the hypercompetitive Monte Verde High. Praised--and not-so-quietly bashed--as "Perfect Perlie Perez," Perla knows all the late nights, social isolation, and crushing stress will be worth it when she gets into the college of her (and her parents') dreams: Delmont University.

Then Perla doesn't get in, and her meticulously planned future shatters. In a panic, she forges her own acceptance letter, and next thing she knows, she's heading to Delmont for real, acceptance or not. Soon, Perla is breaking into dorm rooms, crashing classes, and dodging questions from new friends about her lack of a student ID. Her plan? Gather on-the-ground intel to beef up her application and reapply spring semester before she's caught.

But as her guilty conscience grows and campus security looms large, Perla starts to wonder if her plan will really succeed--and if this dream she's worked for her entire life is something she even wants.

From rising star Tracy Badua comes a gripping, incisive tale of acceptance, self-discovery, and the infinite possibilities that await when we embrace our imperfections.

Author: Tracy Badua
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Published: 01/17/2023
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.92lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.75w x 1.10d
ISBN: 9780063217751
Age Range: 13-17

Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 11/01/2022
Publishers Weekly 11/14/2022
School Library Journal 01/01/2023 pg. 74
Booklist 01/01/2023 pg. 66