New York Times Bestseller
A breakout teen author explores the true meaning of popularity and how
to survive middle school in this hysterically funny, touchingly honest
contemporary memoir.
"I was inspired by [Maya's] journey and made a point of saving a copy
of 'Popular' for my sister, who starts middle school this fall. Maybe if
I had read it when I was her age, it could have saved me from a world of
hurt, or at least put that world in perspective." --Maude Apatow, New
York Times Book Review
Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help a shy girl
become popular?
Maya Van Wagenen is about to find out.
Stuck near the bottom of the social ladder at "pretty much the lowest
level of people at school who aren't paid to be here," Maya has never
been popular. But before starting eighth grade, she decides to begin a
unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s
popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell.
The real-life results are hilarious, painful, and filled with unexpected
surprises. Told with humor and grace, Maya's journey offers readers of
all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and
self-confidence, along with a better understanding of what it means to
be popular.