Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Ann Liang’s books typically feature female protagonists on a journey of growth and self-discovery. Have you read any of her other novels? How does this one compare?

2. I Am Not Jessica Chen is a young adult novel, meant for adolescent readers and dealing with themes relevant to their experiences. Do you think the book accurately captures the emotions of this time in one’s life? Which parts did you find most relatable, and which the least?

3. How did you respond to Liang’s use of magic in the book? Did these elements work cohesively for you, or did you spot inconsistencies and come away with questions?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. The book heavily explores the process of navigating comparison and expectation in one’s life. What is your personal experience with this? Are you fairly self-content in your life, or do you find yourself constantly comparing your achievements and capabilities with others around you?

2. Jessica Chen eventually cracks under the pressure of always having to perform, ending up plagiarizing a fellow student’s work.