Liz Lighty has always believed shes too black, too poor, too awkward to shine in her small, rich, prom-obsessed mid-western town. But its okayLiz has a plan that will get her out of Campbell, Indiana, forever: attend the uber-elite Pennington College, play in their world-famous orchestra, and become a doctor.

But when the financial aid she was counting on unexpectedly falls through, Lizs plans come crashing down... until shes reminded of her schools scholarship for prom King and Queen. Theres nothing Liz wants to do less than endure a gauntlet of social media trolls, catty competitors, and humiliating public events, but despite her devastating fear of the spotlight shes willing to do whatever it takes to get to Pennington.