The Selection by Kiera Cass is narrated in the first-person point of view by sixteen-year-old America Singer. The novel is set in the future, and Illea, the nation that used to be the United States (but no longer is after defeat in war), is divided into a caste system. America and her family are Fives. They belong to the “artist” caste, for they are musicians.

America, after breaking up with her boyfriend, decides to enter the Selection contest. The Selection occurs when the prince of Illea is of age to marry and is used to help him determine who to take as a wife. Maxon Schreaves, the current prince, is the subject of this Selection. America sends in her entry form and picture and expects nothing more to come of it, but she is surprised when she is chosen as one of the thirty-five finalists.

America does not really want to marry Maxon, but she goes to the palace anyway and becomes involved in friendships, intrigues, and, to her surprise, romance when she actually discovers that she is developing feelings for Maxon.

Hearing the story from America's point of view is effective, for it allows readers to intimately enter into her thoughts, feelings, and personality. Readers feel as though they are part of the story, participating in the Selection along with America and making discoveries alongside her about life, culture, and love.