A Goodreads user asked Becky Albertalli:

Leah's character really struck a chord with me, as a lot of girls have her mindset. Her tension with Abby is, in part, motivated by what Abby looks like. By the end of the book, even having gained confidence from the band, Leah's still has body image issues. Did you intend from the start to include Leah's issues? What advice would you give to girls that struggle to accept their bodies and don't feel pretty?

Becky Albertalli What an awesome question! Leah definitely has some body image issues, and that was something I included intentionally. Full disclosure: Leah is one of the characters I relate to the most, and her discomfort with her body reflects a big part of my own experience as a teenager. And it's so true that she's still struggling with these issues at the end of the book. I think of her as a person who has experienced some teasing and bullying, and she has a hard time shaking that off. That being said, just being onstage is a big step for Leah. I think she's on the road to feeling better about herself. :-)

To the girls like Leah (and me) who struggle with this stuff, I want to say that I hear you, and I love you, and I know how hard it is. It's often helpful to talk about this stuff with trusted friends or adults. For me, it was especially helpful to talk about it with a therapist. But please know: even when you have a hard time seeing it, you are so beautiful.

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