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500 Words or Less
Table of Contents
About The Book
“Compelling.” —School Library Journal
“Moving.” —Publishers Weekly
“Poignant.” —Kirkus Reviews
A high school senior attempts to salvage her reputation among her Ivy League–obsessed classmates by writing their college admissions essays and in the process learns big truths about herself in this mesmerizing debut novel-in-verse, perfect for fans of Gayle Forman and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Nic Chen refuses to spend her senior year branded as the girl who cheated on her charismatic and lovable boyfriend. To redefine her reputation among her Ivy League–obsessed classmates, Nic begins writing their college admissions essays.
But the more essays Nic writes for other people, the less sure she becomes of herself, the kind of person she is, and whether her moral compass even points north anymore.
Provocative, brilliant, and achingly honest, 500 Words or Less explores the heartbreak and hope that marks the search for your truest self.
“Moving.” —Publishers Weekly
“Poignant.” —Kirkus Reviews
A high school senior attempts to salvage her reputation among her Ivy League–obsessed classmates by writing their college admissions essays and in the process learns big truths about herself in this mesmerizing debut novel-in-verse, perfect for fans of Gayle Forman and Elizabeth Acevedo.
Nic Chen refuses to spend her senior year branded as the girl who cheated on her charismatic and lovable boyfriend. To redefine her reputation among her Ivy League–obsessed classmates, Nic begins writing their college admissions essays.
But the more essays Nic writes for other people, the less sure she becomes of herself, the kind of person she is, and whether her moral compass even points north anymore.
Provocative, brilliant, and achingly honest, 500 Words or Less explores the heartbreak and hope that marks the search for your truest self.
Excerpt
500 Words or Less This was senior year
Someone had written WHORE
in bright orange lipstick
on my locker.
It was waiting for me
after third period,
like an old friend
hanging
around after class.
For the past three weeks,
I have filed down these halls,
opened this locker,
stuffed textbooks
and slightly damp rain jackets inside.
I’ve regurgitated facts,
aced exams,
daydreamed about life
at an Ivy like Princeton,
and sometimes I’ve thought
about Ben.
It was life in a holding pattern,
circling around an airport
where you can’t yet land.
I glanced over to Jordan’s locker
and saw its pristine state.
No bright orange lipstick.
Was there even a male equivalent
to the word “whore”?
There were words,
but none that carried
the same weight.
Maybe I would have cried
if I were
a different girl.
But this was senior year,
and my life was more than
a series of letters
scrawled on a locker, vying
to break me.
Someone had written WHORE
in bright orange lipstick
on my locker.
It was waiting for me
after third period,
like an old friend
hanging
around after class.
For the past three weeks,
I have filed down these halls,
opened this locker,
stuffed textbooks
and slightly damp rain jackets inside.
I’ve regurgitated facts,
aced exams,
daydreamed about life
at an Ivy like Princeton,
and sometimes I’ve thought
about Ben.
It was life in a holding pattern,
circling around an airport
where you can’t yet land.
I glanced over to Jordan’s locker
and saw its pristine state.
No bright orange lipstick.
Was there even a male equivalent
to the word “whore”?
There were words,
but none that carried
the same weight.
Maybe I would have cried
if I were
a different girl.
But this was senior year,
and my life was more than
a series of letters
scrawled on a locker, vying
to break me.
About The Author
Photograph copyright (c) 2018 by Flor Blake
Juleah del Rosario is Chamorro and Filipina, and lives in Colorado where she works as a librarian. She is the author of 500 Words or Less and Turtle under Ice. Her favorite animal is and always has been a turtle.
Product Details
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (March 1, 2020)
- Length: 400 pages
- ISBN13: 9781534410459
- Ages: 14 - 99
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Raves and Reviews
“This compelling novel in verse encourages deep thought and conversation. Fans of Perfect by Ellen Hopkins will devour this timely and addictive read.” —School Library Journal
“Del Rosario’s poems are accessible, and Nic proves herself a keen observer of the world around her, an adept interrogator of her own self, and a philosopher who considers how and why life happens the way it does.” —Publishers Weekly
“Thoughtfully introspective.” —Booklist
“In poignant verse, the moments of anguish, loneliness, and hope ring true.” —Kirkus Reviews
Awards and Honors
- TAYSHAS Reading List (TX)
- Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year Selection Title
- Colorado Book Award
Resources and Downloads
High Resolution Images
- Book Cover Image (jpg): 500 Words or Less Trade Paperback 9781534410459
- Author Photo (jpg): Juleah del Rosario Photograph copyright (c) 2018 by Flor Blake(0.1 MB)
Any use of an author photo must include its respective photo credit
