book cover screenshot by K. Reyes 2/2021
Bibliographic Information:
- Title: You Asked for Perfect
- Author: Laura Silverman
- ISBN: 9781492658276; 1492658278
- Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
- Copyright Date: 2019
- Pages: 288
Genre [Format of the Title]:
-
Realistic fiction, LGBTQ+, Romance [book]
- Subject tags: contemporary social issues, diverse characters: ethnicity, religion (Jewish, Muslim, Christian)
Awards or Honors:
- YALSA’s list of Best Fiction for Young Adults 2020;
- Chicago Public Library’s list of Best Teen Fiction 2019 (Silverman, L., n.d.)
Reading Level/Interest Level:
- Age Range: 14 - 17; Lexile level: HL590L (Lexile.com, 2020)
Plot Summary:
Ariel is a driven high school senior whose singular goal in life is to become the valedictorian so he can then attend Harvard. His entire high school career revolved around doing everything necessary to make sure he gets into Harvard. All the volunteer work in the animal shelter, the AP courses he takes, the violin he plays as first chair, and the perfect GPA he maintains in his pursuit of being the school’s valedictorian -- all these are done to make sure he looks like a well-rounded candidate. However, he fails a calculus test and now must figure out how he can get his grades up to an A in order to maintain his valedictorian status which will surely go to his frenemy, Pari whom he describes as the female version of himself. Ariel tortures himself to perfection,practicing his violin until his fingers bleed, studying until he passes out, and distressing over every action he takes that could potentially derail his goal. His best friend Sook tries to figure out what’s going on but Ariel wants to maintain his facade of perfection. He enlists a classmate, Amir, to tutor him in calculus and now, the sparks are flying between the two.
Ariel is a driven high school senior whose singular goal in life is to become the valedictorian so he can then attend Harvard. His entire high school career revolved around doing everything necessary to make sure he gets into Harvard. All the volunteer work in the animal shelter, the AP courses he takes, the violin he plays as first chair, and the perfect GPA he maintains in his pursuit of being the school’s valedictorian -- all these are done to make sure he looks like a well-rounded candidate. However, he fails a calculus test and now must figure out how he can get his grades up to an A in order to maintain his valedictorian status which will surely go to his frenemy, Pari whom he describes as the female version of himself. Ariel tortures himself to perfection,practicing his violin until his fingers bleed, studying until he passes out, and distressing over every action he takes that could potentially derail his goal. His best friend Sook tries to figure out what’s going on but Ariel wants to maintain his facade of perfection. He enlists a classmate, Amir, to tutor him in calculus and now, the sparks are flying between the two.
Author Background:
Silverman graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in English and in Advertising. She continued her post graduate studies at the New School where she received her MFA in Writing for Children. She has written two other books: Girl Out of Water and It’s the Whole Spiel. Another book is forthcoming called Those Summer Nights (Silverman, 2021).
Besides being an author, she is currently working as an editor and living in New York. According to Sourcebooks (n.d.), Silverman is a fan of Harry Potter and indeed she has included her Slytherin and Hufflepuff house references in Amir’s character. Silverman is Jewish and this book is her first that has a Jewish character.
Silverman graduated from the University of Georgia with degrees in English and in Advertising. She continued her post graduate studies at the New School where she received her MFA in Writing for Children. She has written two other books: Girl Out of Water and It’s the Whole Spiel. Another book is forthcoming called Those Summer Nights (Silverman, 2021).
Besides being an author, she is currently working as an editor and living in New York. According to Sourcebooks (n.d.), Silverman is a fan of Harry Potter and indeed she has included her Slytherin and Hufflepuff house references in Amir’s character. Silverman is Jewish and this book is her first that has a Jewish character.
Critical Evaluation for Books and Non-Print Items:
Ariel is a very believable and relatable high school student. His drive to get straight As at all cost is not unusual. I’ve seen so many students like him, those who think that having a completely full resume and all AP classes, perfect GPA, and perfect SAT scores all but guarantee them entree into an Ivy. Ariel embodies all that and to some extent, this single-minded drive makes the reader empathetic towards him.
There are a few somewhat forgivable character tropes: Sook, the chubby, rich, and overbearing female Asian bestie, Amir, the hunky middle eastern gay boy, and Pari, the super smart but uber nice Indian version of Ariel’s Jewish self, and Ariel himself, the wannabe perfect, Ivy-league bound white boy. And maybe this is the cultural make-up where Silverman is most familiar but it feels like a stretch to have all these components perfectly aligned such that Amir and Ariel both have super supportive parents who always thought the two boys looked cute together. Too perfect. Too predictable. Oh, and did I mention this is all set in some town in Georgia? How is it with this attempt at diversity and representation that Silverman doesn’t have any Black characters in the story but has three different Asian characters and a white protagonist in a public school in the state of Georgia?
Nonetheless, the story itself is very accurate in its portrayal of that intense pressure high achieving students put on themselves and the expectations for perfection is very real for them. The inclusion of references to Judaism and its importance in Ariel and his family’s life are valuable to the story itself. And the important questions readers will ask themselves such as how much value should we attach to our pursuit of that perfect college, that perfect grade, that perfect life? Are these realistic and attainable goals? And are they worth the sacrifice? The book explores answers to these questions.
Ariel is a very believable and relatable high school student. His drive to get straight As at all cost is not unusual. I’ve seen so many students like him, those who think that having a completely full resume and all AP classes, perfect GPA, and perfect SAT scores all but guarantee them entree into an Ivy. Ariel embodies all that and to some extent, this single-minded drive makes the reader empathetic towards him.
There are a few somewhat forgivable character tropes: Sook, the chubby, rich, and overbearing female Asian bestie, Amir, the hunky middle eastern gay boy, and Pari, the super smart but uber nice Indian version of Ariel’s Jewish self, and Ariel himself, the wannabe perfect, Ivy-league bound white boy. And maybe this is the cultural make-up where Silverman is most familiar but it feels like a stretch to have all these components perfectly aligned such that Amir and Ariel both have super supportive parents who always thought the two boys looked cute together. Too perfect. Too predictable. Oh, and did I mention this is all set in some town in Georgia? How is it with this attempt at diversity and representation that Silverman doesn’t have any Black characters in the story but has three different Asian characters and a white protagonist in a public school in the state of Georgia?
Nonetheless, the story itself is very accurate in its portrayal of that intense pressure high achieving students put on themselves and the expectations for perfection is very real for them. The inclusion of references to Judaism and its importance in Ariel and his family’s life are valuable to the story itself. And the important questions readers will ask themselves such as how much value should we attach to our pursuit of that perfect college, that perfect grade, that perfect life? Are these realistic and attainable goals? And are they worth the sacrifice? The book explores answers to these questions.
Creative Use for a Library Program:
Senior and junior nights are designated times when parents meet in the library to talk about college and this happens on the main floor where I have book displays and parents, my captive audience, often pick up books I have on display. I am going to display this along with other YA books that have college-centric/college bound focus (ex. Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu, American Panda by Gloria Chao, Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi etc)
Senior and junior nights are designated times when parents meet in the library to talk about college and this happens on the main floor where I have book displays and parents, my captive audience, often pick up books I have on display. I am going to display this along with other YA books that have college-centric/college bound focus (ex. Check Please by Ngozi Ukazu, American Panda by Gloria Chao, Emergency Contact by Mary H.K. Choi etc)
Speed-Round Book Talk or Short Book Trailer:
Ariel, a super-driven, straight A student flunks his calculus test and no amount of extra credit can bail him out. He’ll lose his valedictorian standing to his longtime nemesis and former friend, Pari, unless he gets a tutor. Adding to his distress, his best friend, Sook, expects him to perform in her band and he is too nice to say no. Enter, Amir--smart and very hot, and now, Ariel’s calculus tutor. Find out how Ariel navigates his friendship, his grades, and his newfound attraction.
Ariel, a super-driven, straight A student flunks his calculus test and no amount of extra credit can bail him out. He’ll lose his valedictorian standing to his longtime nemesis and former friend, Pari, unless he gets a tutor. Adding to his distress, his best friend, Sook, expects him to perform in her band and he is too nice to say no. Enter, Amir--smart and very hot, and now, Ariel’s calculus tutor. Find out how Ariel navigates his friendship, his grades, and his newfound attraction.
Potential Challenge Issues and Defense Preparation:
Challenges involving LGBTQ+ issues could be expected and objections to Amir and Ariel’s relationship could face strong objections from religious groups/parents and cross-cultural mixing may not be acceptable to traditionalists. However, readers have the right to read what they wish and the ALA Bill of rights states that “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation” (American Library Association, 2020).
Challenges involving LGBTQ+ issues could be expected and objections to Amir and Ariel’s relationship could face strong objections from religious groups/parents and cross-cultural mixing may not be acceptable to traditionalists. However, readers have the right to read what they wish and the ALA Bill of rights states that “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation” (American Library Association, 2020).
Reason for Inclusion:
Despite my criticism on what to me felt like forcing representation and thus creating somewhat shallow secondary characters, this story is very relatable for many students and I know several who will enjoy reading this and who will focus more on Ariel’s personal issues with perfection and anxiety. These character traits and how he handles this in the story are good enough to include in this collection.
Despite my criticism on what to me felt like forcing representation and thus creating somewhat shallow secondary characters, this story is very relatable for many students and I know several who will enjoy reading this and who will focus more on Ariel’s personal issues with perfection and anxiety. These character traits and how he handles this in the story are good enough to include in this collection.
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Ever wonder what an editor does and how they make a living? Read Silverman's editorial services and discover how you might parlay your love of language into a career in the world of publishing. |
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Laura Silverman recommended Jewish YA books
Screenshot by K. Reyes 3/2021 (Silverman, 2020).
REFERENCES
American Library Association. (2020, March 12). Intellectual Freedom Core Documents. Tools, Publications & Resources. http://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit/coredocuments
BookYeah. (2018). BookYeAh: we put the YA in Yeah because it’s all we read. Ep. 4: Interview with Laura Silverman [Audio podcast].
Lexile.com. (2020, September 18). Find books at the right level. Lexile Framework for Reading. https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/book-details/9781492658276
Silverman, L. (2020, March 23). All the Jewish YA to read in 2020. Alma. https://www.heyalma.com/all-the-jewish-ya-to-read-in-2020/.
Silverman, L. (2021). About Laura Silverman. [web log]. https://www.laurasilvermanwrites.com/
Silverman, L. (n.d.). You Asked for Perfect. Laura Silverman. https://www.laurasilvermanwrites.com/book/perfect/
Sourcebooks. (n.d.) Laura Silverman Author Visits. Sourcebooks.com https://www.sourcebooks.com/silverman-author-visits.html
BookYeah. (2018). BookYeAh: we put the YA in Yeah because it’s all we read. Ep. 4: Interview with Laura Silverman [Audio podcast].
Lexile.com. (2020, September 18). Find books at the right level. Lexile Framework for Reading. https://hub.lexile.com/find-a-book/book-details/9781492658276
Silverman, L. (2020, March 23). All the Jewish YA to read in 2020. Alma. https://www.heyalma.com/all-the-jewish-ya-to-read-in-2020/.
Silverman, L. (2021). About Laura Silverman. [web log]. https://www.laurasilvermanwrites.com/
Silverman, L. (n.d.). You Asked for Perfect. Laura Silverman. https://www.laurasilvermanwrites.com/book/perfect/
Sourcebooks. (n.d.) Laura Silverman Author Visits. Sourcebooks.com https://www.sourcebooks.com/silverman-author-visits.html
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