The Selection

At the beginning of the novel, America is convinced that there is “no way” she will be chosen for the Selection. What factors lead her to believe this?

America enters the Selection believing that the winner will simply be a pretty face for the cameras rather than an actual ruler. How does her view change over the course of the novel? What events cause her to realize that being a royal is more challenging than she thought?

The representative from the palace asks America to confirm that she is a virgin, and if she is not, she must tell the government immediately. Why is this issue so important?