The One

The One by Kiera Cass, 2014 HerperTeen

     America Singer has come a long way since the reluctant potential princess who left Carolina. Making it to the Elite was fraught with the los of friendships, Rebel attacks and personal revelations, but America stands with three other young women for Prince Maxon's decision.
     With Aspen still hovering in the background the relationship America has with Maxon becomes strained. Having her old friend to fall back on allows America to avoid a true commitment to Maxon and his kingdom even as she waits for a sign of his commitment.
     The parties vying for Illea intensify their battles. King Clarkson attempts to use America's growing popularity to further separate the castes. The Southern Rebels again and again attack the palace in Angeles, tehn extend their violence to the people of Illea themselves. The Northern Rebels connect with Maxon and America in an attempt to forge an alliance.
     The Selection draws to a close and tensions rise as lives and futures are threatened. Can America decide what she wants before time runs out? With this princess story of an everyday young woman is aimed at readers who enjoy young adult fiction.

The Elite

The Elite by Kiera Cass, 2013 HarperTeen

     After Prince Maxon's sudden elimination only 6 girls remain in the Selection. America, Marlee, Kriss, Natalie, Elise, and Celeste are put through the paces at breakfast with the entire royal family, lunch and receiving with the queen, and tea hosted by the king. All the while attending diplomacy classes and dates with the prince.
     Things seem to be going well between America and Maxon--even reigniting an old holiday until both Aspen and Maxon begin to push America for a decision. After a brief but inflammatory argument their relationship hits the rocks. Maxon no longer seems like the carefree and kind prince America has believed him to be.
     Aspen begins to play on her fears that Maxon is playing a part with her. While their relationship is treason, America is willing to risk the consequences for a few moments of peace and familiarity.
     Though Maxon and America reconcile, again America's temper shifts between them and Maxon's ever-increasing secrets broaden the divide. Through planning a diplomatic dinner and creating a program to change Illera America pushes her boundaries. Can maxon keep her at the palace when the king insists she go?
     Consistent with her passion and desire for justice America struggles to see herself fit into Maxon's world. As she confronts the challenges before her readers will relate to her self-consciousness and admire her spunk. Like The Selection, The Elite is a good fit for readers who enjoy YA Fiction.

The Selection

The Selection by Kiera Cass, 2012 HarperTeen

     Sometime after the fourth World War North America has become one kingdom--Illéa. As a fairly new nation the country has its problems, but most are hidden from America Singer and the rest of the nation.
     America is an artist from the fourth caste in a family who, though they love each other, struggles to make ends meet. She has a secret boyfriend, Aspen, a 6 and two castes below her, just above the homeless and casteless. When the generational Selection comes along to find a Beloved Daughter of Illéa to marry Prince Maxon Schraeve. America's mother and sister are ecstatic and insist she apply. America doesn't want to give up her home and Aspen's love, but when even he asks her to sign up, America is torn. She applies and is Selected.
     With 34 other young women, America travels to the capital and the monarch's palace where she will compete for the prince's hand. But America doesn't want Prince Maxon or the crown he offers--she just wants to get over Aspen's rejection and go home.
     After their first meeting gets off to a rocky start, Maxon and America decide to remain friends and America agrees to keep his confidences until he can find a young woman from the group as his wife.
Followed by cameras and surrounded by women grasping at all Maxon can provide, America hopes to help the man whose friendship means more and more to her. Through rebel attacks and surprising returns the two gradually come to know each other better until the prince narrows the 35 Selected to 6 Elites.
     The Selection is a story that, while fitting into traditional princess story guidelines, bucks convention with a female lead choosing not a man, but herself as she struggles to play the hand she's been dealt. Middle school and high school readers will understand the competition between the Selected and the search for true friendship among masses searching to display their most perfect selves.