"North of Beautiful" is a compelling coming-of-age novel that follows the journey of a young girl named Terra, who struggles with her self-image and the societal pressures around beauty. Born with a port wine stain on her face, Terra feels overshadowed by her seemingly perfect family, especially her mother, who is obsessed with conventional beauty standards. This internal conflict drives Terra to seek a sense of identity and acceptance beyond her physical appearance.
The plot thickens when Terra meets Jacob, a charismatic boy with a love for art and a shared sense of alienation. Their connection helps Terra explore her passion for cartography and discover the importance of inner beauty. As she navigates her relationships with her family and friends, she learns valuable lessons about love, friendship, and self-acceptance, challenging her previous notions of beauty.