Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

Maya Van Wagenen

Apr 2014 · Sold by Penguin

About this ebook

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.

 

Ratings and reviews

Originally I had no plans to review this book for my blog, it was one of those I wanted to read "just because." However, a few pages into September, and I realized that I really should review it. There is a lot of talk about this book, and a lot of different reviews. Anything from praise to the young author whom in the middle of a town with violence, drugs, and gangs, decided to go against the norm to people saying that the book is " emotionally manipulative" or a "publicity stunt" to get famous. I lean more toward the first statement, but there are elements in this book that does scream the later. So here we go........... Something that bothered me right off the bat, was the fact that Maya's dad seemed to body shame the entire family. You can tell that the way her dad talks about the family being fat, has affected Maya, stating she doesn't want to have to sign her name as: Maya "Fat" Van Wagenen. She then went on to say that her dad would be excited that she wants to go on a diet and lose weight. Which, some cringe at the fact that a middle schooler is dieting, but the so-called "diet" isn't as extreme as girls go on today. It's more common sense than anything. However, Betty's book does make statements saying that 'There's no hope for you,' if you cannot go through lunch (or dinner) without sweets, and encourages to 'Keep your chin up and weight down.' While Betty's book was written over fifty years ago, these are the comments along with Maya's experiences that people have a hard time with regarding her dieting. I find it hard to believe this is all Maya's words and experiences, her words just seem far too sweet. I'm sure during editing there was stuff added and taken away, but for her to live in a town with violence, drug dealers, and gangs, you would expect more of a resistance but everything seemed to be as smooth as silk. There was very little "raw" emotion other than in March regarding Mr. Lawrence and in May regarding her sister. There was one point where she felt like she wanted to "die" because she forgot her best friend's birthday. Other than those instances everything was sweet, and it did become sicking after awhile. Throughout the book Maya decided to add some of her own tips, accurately named "Maya's Popularity Tips." I honestly have to no idea if she was trying to be funny, or if it was the editor's idea, but the tips are really foolish. There were only two that could be taken seriously and those were 1. Regarding pot hiding in shoes and 2. Final tip. The first was one is actually a great tip depending on where you live, and could save you some problems. Again, Betty's book was written over fifty years ago, some of the ideas and/or suggestions can sound down right absurd like: "Pretty hair can always overcome the handicap of a not so pretty face." However, one thing that I could get on board with, and tried after reading that month, was Betty's hair washing regime. At the start of the book, it was said to be Maya's moms idea to follow the suggestions in this book. But later, she states several times that it was she who decided to do this experiment because she wanted to gain popularity in life. I found it hard to sallow that she wants to "Earn the trust, admiration, and approval of people who she's tried to avoid all her life." So I'm confused as to why she really decided to this in the first place. Was it really because her mom thought it would be fun? Or was it because she truly wanted to gain popularity in life? If you are looking for a book with raw emotions a realistic point of view or a life lesson. This isn't the book for you. It was an okay read, but nothing that would inspire or make you cry. Maybe laugh though between the (little bit) of humor injected and just the plain absurdness of the entire book.

I feel this is a great book that everyone should read. This story is a great way to learn that beauty isn't how you look all the time it is about what is in the inside and the journey. So i feel this book really helps people but the fashion is a bit outdated. XD

This is a great book! I appreciated reading the thoughts of this young lady and learning a little about what it's like living on The border. I also like how she discovers the true meaning of being popular. I hope she goes on to write many more books.

About the author

Maya Van Wagenen is sixteen years old.  When she was eleven, her family moved to Brownsville, Texas, the setting of Popular. When not hunched over a desktop writing, Maya enjoys reading, British television, and chocolate. She now lives with her parents and two siblings in rural Georgia. She is a junior in high school .