The Mount Washington embossing stamp is described as a symbol of “false authority.” Analyze how this symbol legitimizes the list’s power and how the struggle for its possession between Maureen, Jennifer, and Margo reveals deeper truths about tradition and control in the school’s social hierarchy.

How does the decision to make Jennifer the latest author of the list—rather than a more popular character—contribute to the novel’s themes or its exploration of internalized misogyny?

How does Vivian’s fictional addition of an “ugliest” category to the real-world “hottie list” tradition deepen the novel’s exploration of labeling and social hierarchy?

Using the recurring motif of mirrors and reflections, compare how Candace’s and Danielle’s interactions with their own images change after they’re named on the list. What do their different reactions reveal about how objectification shapes self-perception?

What tropes or themes does the novel feature from other popular books and films that prominently feature high-school dances, such as Carrie, The Perks of Being a Wallflower, or The DUFF? How does it build on or subvert these ideas?

As one of few central male characters, what is Milo’s role in exploring the impact of the male gaze? How does he compare to or contrast with Andrew, and how does his dynamic with Sarah shape the novel’s messages about boys’ and men’s roles in overcoming patriarchal beauty standards?

The novel situates Bridget’s eating disorder within the specific cultural context of the “Master Cleanse.” Analyze how grounding her struggle in this real-world diet trend illustrates the ways that “wellness” culture can disguise and legitimize disordered eating.

Examine the parallel relationships between the Warner sisters (Abby and Fern) and the Honeycutt sisters (Bridget and Lisa). How do these familial dynamics reflect and amplify the novel’s broader critique of female competition and the destructive power of comparison?