Planning Perfect

Gr 7 Up–Aspiring event planner Felicity Becker, Jewish and 16, doesn’t manage stress well. She just lost the election for Social Friends Committee President to her nemesis Brody Wells (described as having darker skin and cornrows), which is obviously disastrous for her future. Now she’s desperate to make up for it by taking control of planning her mother’s wedding and using the event as an audition for a prestigious internship with one of the guests. Her long-distance friend Nancy (who is biracial Korean/white, Swedish, and queer) offers her aunt’s orchard as a venue, and they embark on a summer of wedding planning together. While Felicity anxiously fixates on work, Nancy tries to teach her letting go and having fun throughout the summer. Both are figuring out their feelings for each other. Felicity knows she’s somewhere on the asexual spectrum, and wonders if Nancy would accept that in a partner. It’s a sweet, feel-good, coming-of-age rom-com with satisfying character development and deeply insightful, much needed ace representation. Religious traditions and family culture are represented throughout, including the wedding, which mixes the Jewish and Catholic traditions of the bride and groom.