Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry
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What’s inside...
Excuse Me While I Ugly Cry by debut author Joya Goffney is the story of an overly enthusiastic list maker who is blackmailed into completing a to-do list of all her worst fears. It’s a heartfelt, tortured, contemporary YA high school romance with epistolary elements. Fans of Jenny Han’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before and Kristina Forest’s debut I Wanna Be Where You Are will love the juicy secrets, leap-off-the-page sexual tension and the enemy-to-lover romantic arc.
Quinn keeps lists of everything—from the days she’s ugly cried, to “Things That I Would Never Admit Out Loud,” to all the boys she’d like to kiss. Her lists keep her sane. By writing her fears on paper, she never has to face them in real life. That is, until her journal goes missing…
An anonymous account posts one of her lists on Instagram for the whole school to see and blackmails her into facing seven of her greatest fears, or else her entire journal will go public. Quinn doesn’t know who to trust. Desperate, she teams up with Carter Bennett—the last known person to have her journal—in a race against time to track down the blackmailer.
Together, they journey through everything Quinn’s been too afraid to face, and along the way, Quinn finds the courage to be honest, to live in the moment, and to fall in love.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
16-19
Length
368 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
How did Quinn's experience with her list being leaked make you feel, and why do you think privacy is important?
What did you learn about the importance of honesty and vulnerability from the relationship between Quinn and Carter?
How do the characters in the book handle mistakes and forgiveness? Can you relate it to any personal experience?
Quinn uses lists to express herself. What are some ways you express your feelings and thoughts?
How do friendships evolve in the story, and what does it say about trust and loyalty?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect on their own methods of self-expression by comparing them to Quinn’s lists.
Discuss the challenges Quinn faces with her peers and ask your child about their strategies for overcoming social hurdles in school.
Explore the theme of vulnerability by sharing personal stories of when honesty strengthened a relationship in your own life.
Use examples from the book to discuss the impact of cyberbullying and the importance of digital privacy.
Highlight the value of friendships that are depicted in the book and relate them to your child’s experiences with their friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: The protagonist, Quinn, learns the hard way that honesty is crucial after her private journal goes public. The story navigates through her struggle to own her truth.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to value transparency and honesty in their daily interactions, enhancing their relationships and building trust.
Example Lesson: Embracing vulnerability
Explanation: Quinn's journey involves exposing her deepest fears and secrets, demonstrating that vulnerability can lead to personal growth and stronger connections with others.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by being open about their feelings and worries with trusted individuals, helping them to cope with challenges more effectively.
Example Lesson: The impact of assumptions and judgments
Explanation: Throughout the book, Quinn faces various judgments from her peers based on assumptions, which teaches about the consequences of prejudging others.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to approach others with an open mind and respect, promoting inclusivity and understanding in their social environments.
Example Lesson: Importance of facing consequences
Explanation: Quinn's actions lead to various consequences, some unintended, showcasing how choices have impacts and the importance of accountability.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to think before they act, understanding that their actions will have consequences and learning to take responsibility for them.
Example Lesson: The power of friendship
Explanation: As Quinn navigates her challenges, the support she receives from her friends plays a crucial role in her journey, highlighting the strength found in true friendship.
Real-World Application: This lesson underlines the importance of supporting and relying on friends during tough times, emphasizing the value of building and maintaining strong friendships.