Filipina American Lucia grapples with teenage angst, family expectations, and friendship woes as she reluctantly prepares for her debutante ball

Ages 13 and up

Lucia Cruz may be turning eighteen this year, but she is not the debutante type. Everything about a traditional Filipino debut feels all wrong for her. Besides, custom dictates that eighteen friends attend her for a special ceremony on her birthday, and Lucia only has one friend- Esmé Mares. They've stuck to each other's side all throughout high school, content to be friends with only each other. At least, Lucia thought they were content. As it turns out, Esmé wants something different out of her senior year. And, on top of that, Lucia's mom has planned a debutante ball for her birthday behind her back. She'll be forced to cobble together a court of eighteen "friends" before her beloved lola arrives from the Philippines for this blessed occasion. How far will Lucia stray from her comfort zone in order to play the role of dutiful daughter and granddaughter? Will she do the unthinkable- participating in a school sponsored activity? Will she discover that her sense of humor can be a way to connect with people, not just push them away?

Grades 10-12

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