You Asked for Perfect

Finalist for Georgia Author of the Year Award 

Named by the Georgia Center for the Book as one of the Books All Young Georgians Should Read

Named to the Chicago Public Library’s list of Best Teen Fiction 2019

Named to YALSA’s list of Best Fiction for Young Adults 2020

For fans of Adam Silvera and Nina LaCour comes a timely novel about a teen’s struggle when academic success and happiness pull him in opposite directions.

Senior Ariel Stone is the perfect college applicant: first chair violinist, dedicated volunteer, active synagogue congregant, and expected valedictorian. And he works hard―really hard―to make his success look effortless. A failed calculus quiz is not part of his plan. Not when he’s number one. Not when his peers can smell weakness like a freshman’s body spray.

Ariel throws himself into studying. His friends will understand if he skips a few plans, and he can sleep when he graduates. But as his grade continues to slide, Ariel realizes he needs help and reluctantly enlists a tutor, his classmate Amir. The two have never gotten along, but Ariel has no other options.

Ariel discovers he may not like calculus, but he does like Amir. Except adding a new relationship to his long list of commitments may just push him past his limit.

Reviews & Blurbs:

“Wise‚ romantic‚ and painfully relatable. You Asked for Perfect and Laura Silverman delivered.” -Becky Albertalli, award-winning author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda

“Silverman’s novel hit me straight in the heart. It made me think about the ways I ask too much of myself, and others, and it was powerful enough to make me want to be a better—yet still imperfect—person.” -Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of Openly Straight and The Music of What Happens

“Never before have I read a book that so perfectly captures the stress of being a high-functioning student, the feeling of being caught between crushing expectation and cold reality, and the fear that we’ll never be able to do enough. But what makes this story really special is its lasting message of forgiveness—both of others and of ourselves. This was something I desperately needed in high school, and I am beyond joyed that students of any age have it now.” -Francesca Zappia, author of Made You Up

“An ode to overachievers. Laura Silverman’s novel brims with authenticity, from the descriptions of Ariel’s Jewish family to the agony that comes with failing a calculus quiz. This is a book for anyone who’s ever struggled with the high expectations we set for ourselves.” -Rachel Lynn Solomon, author of You’ll Miss Me When I’m Gone and Our Year of Maybe

“At the start of senior year, Ariel is valedictorian, first chair violin, and a perfect Harvard applicant. Despite all that work, his road to the perfect future is getting bumpy. Unexpected struggles in AP calculus, bloody fingers from a new violin solo, more work and less sleep send Ariel into a spiral of panic and exhaustion. He certainly doesn’t need a crush on his (secret) calculus tutor, Amir, to further complicate things. As pressure mounts and Ariel grows terrified that someone will learn of his inadequacies, he has to decide how far he’ll go—and what he’ll sacrifice—to be perfect. Silverman’s book is a critical look at the growing academic pressures teens face and the ease with which adults overlook the well-being of high-performing kids. Ariel’s struggles with high expectations and a competitive school environment (high achieving kids often trade in their lunch period for extra AP credits) are heartbreakingly relatable. His fear and embarrassment over being less than the best drive him deeper into dangerous habits and isolation. Ariel’s turmoil is the undoubted heart of the novel, but his friends and family are rich, interesting characters on their own. Inclusion is celebrated on every page. Ariel is openly bisexual, his family is devoutly Jewish, his best friend is Korean, his love interest is Muslim. These things are all simply facts of the world, neither watered-down nor over-explained. VERDICT Highly recommended for teen collections, especially in competitive school environments.” –School Library Journal

“A coming-of-age novel that will charm readers with its relatable and diverse characters, quirky storyline, and interweaving of faith, queerness, and the everyday lives of seniors navigating the pressures of college applications, grades, and relationships. Heartwarming and engaging.” –Kirkus

Extras

High Resolution Cover Photo