What I Like About Me

What I Like About Me
by Jenna Guillaume

As if her vacation wasn’t already looking like a total train wreck, sixteen-year-old Maisie Martin’s teacher has assigned a “discovery journal,” forcing Maisie to capture every embarrassing moment in vivid detail. As the vacation goes from bad to worse, Maisie uses her to journal to write down all the things she could never say aloud, like how self-conscious she feels on the beach, even in baggy clothes. How her dad is MIA and her perfect sister’s purpose in life is to cast a shadow over Maisie. And how much it hurts to see her lifelong crush fall for her best friend, leaving her alone with Beamer, who can’t shut up for two seconds.

Maisie has perfected the art of hiding her body and feelings, so the last thing she imagined doing on vacation is entering the Miss Teen Queen beauty pageant. But for the first time, she realizes there’s a lot to like about herself, and the list keeps growing with each journal entry. She’s dealt with the whispers and stares her whole life, and now Maisie is ready to be the hero of her own story.

Jenna Guillaume’s American debut captures all the ups and downs of teenage life through the hilarious yet compelling perspective of a plus-size protagonist who isn’t going to let anything, or anyone, hold her back. Readers will love Maisie’s authentic voice as she discovers the importance of supportive friends, self-love, what it truly means to be brave. What I Like About Me is the perfect mixture of humor, inspiration, and romance that teen readers will find realistically relatable.

Sneak a peek into Maisie’s journal in this excerpt!

Use this discussion guide for a closer look at the themes and messages we can learn from Maisie’s story.

Get to know Jenna Guillaume in this interview, where she talks about what inspired her to write about Maisie’s journey and body positivity.

“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

Find What I Like About Me on a beach near you, available this April at your local library, indie bookstore, or Barnes & Noble, and be on the lookout for the rest of our brand-new Spring 2020 titles as well as our picture books and middle grade titles back at Peachtree this season in paperback!