The Education of Kia Greer

A teen reality star boldly scripts her own future in Bennett’s sprawling, pop culture–infused debut. As one of four daughters born to a Black actor and his white manager wife, bookish 17-year-old Kiara “Kia” Greer is no stranger to the spotlight of public scrutiny. For 11 seasons, Kia’s older sisters have ruled the set of their family’s reality TV show Growin’ Up Greer with their on-camera tantrums and messy breakups. But when a scandal brings the press to the family’s door, wallflower Kia volunteers to distract the paparazzi by fake-dating teen pop star Cassius Campbell, a mutually beneficial ploy that also builds buzz for Cass’s new album. The plan goes off without a hitch until Kia and Cass fall in love for real. What begins as a behind-the-scenes romance set in a Kardashian-inspired empire deepens into a smart exploration of privilege, agency, and what it means for Kia to be a Black teen in the public eye. “Floating in a sea of insecurity and indecision,” Kia struggles to make space for herself amid the artificial glitz and glamour of her family’s everyday life in an insightful narrative that balances hidden-camera drama with bittersweet epiphany. Characters are intersectionally diverse. Ages 14–up. Agent: Julia Kardon, HG Literary. (May)