After getting rejected from Harvard and every other Ivy League she applied to, Jenna is tired of being herself. Her cousin, Jessica Chen, seemingly has it all-- including the grades to get accepted into Harvard. After a family dinner leaves her feeling humiliated and not enough for her family, Jenna makes a wish on a shooting star: she wishes that she could be her cousin, Jessica. She doesn't expect to actually wake up as Jessica Chen, with everyone forgetting who Jenna Chen even is-- with the exception of her childhood friend/the boy who broke her heart, Aaron Cai.
I Am Not Jessica Chen by Ann Liang is a heartfelt, emotional story about how nothing is as perfect as it seems. As Jenna navigates life as Jessica, she realizes that being "perfect" has its downsides, and that the pressure to be perfect is enough to make anyone crack (including Jessica). I loved how descriptive Ann Liang's writing is; it really puts you in Jenna's head and makes you feel all of her emotions. The love story between Jenna and Aaron was beautifully written, which is to be expected from an Ann Liang book, but it isn't the main focus of the story. The main focus is Jenna, her self-esteem, and her discovery of how being herself is better than being anyone else. I loved this book and its relatability, and I'm sure teens will be able to connect to it, as well.
-Michelle J, Teen Services