“Not only is this book endlessly compelling, it is a master class in character.” — Buzzfeed“I read this book with my heart in my throat, increasingly breathless as I turned the pages. This Is Not a Personal Statement is both a poignant coming-of-age and a carefully plotted story of a lie that quickly spirals out of control. Tracy Badua is an author to watch.” — Rachel Lynn Solomon, New York Times bestselling author of See You Yesterday and Today Tonight Tomorrow"A compelling read that will speak to the many readers who will understand [Perla's] motivations all too well. An intense and heartfelt romp." — Kirkus ReviewsAttentively examining themes of guilt and outside pressures with cultural nuance and plenty of good-humored scheming, Badua cultivates a high-stakes narrative of self-discovery and the dangers in pursuing perfection. — Publishers Weekly“Full of thoughtful exploration of the pressure of immigrant parents and elitism in college admissions.” — School Library Journal“At turns humorous, painful, and heartfelt, Perla’s story speaks to how we can lose ourselves to parental and communal expectations and how we can find our way back.” — Randy Ribay, award-winning author of Patron Saints of Nothing
