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.
She faked her way into college. But can she fake her way into belonging?
- High-Stakes Imposter Story: Perla isn’t just faking it till she makes it—she’s forging documents, crashing classes, and dodging campus security. One wrong move and her entire future collapses.
- Academic Pressure: As "Perfect Perlie Perez," the youngest senior at her hypercompetitive high school, Perla has spent her life meeting impossible standards. But the pressure to succeed might be the very thing that makes her fail.
- A Coming of Age Journey: Trapped in a web of her own lies at Delmont University, Perla starts to question if the life her parents dreamed of is the one she actually wants for herself.
- Relatable Teen Angst: A poignant and often funny look at the crushing stress of college admissions, the search for identity, and the terrifying freedom of choosing your own path.
- Slow Burn Romance: A new campus brings new friends and a potential new crush, but how can she build a real connection when her whole life is a lie?
