Maya Van WagenenPopular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek (A Memoir)

My 11 year old daughter and I enjoyed reading this book. We both recommend it. It deals with issues a lot of middles schoolers seem to run into. As a side note my child now updates me on all the new kids she meets. I feel that has been directly influenced by this book. One of the turning points in the book is when the main character learns that a great way to "be popular" is to step beyond your comfort zone and talk to new people, listen to them and make an effort to be their friend.

This book should be read after “Betty Cornell’s Teen-age Popularity Guide”. It’s a cute book and the author is aimable and sweet. While reading it, I kept laughing at myself since as a rule I try to avoid memoirs written by anyone younger than their forties. This one was written by an eighth grader! I read it out of curiosity and am happy that I did, although I cannot recommend it to anyone other than girls in that age group.My favorite quote:“Popularity is more than looks. It’s not clothes, hair, or even possessions. When we let go of these labels, we see how flimsy and relative they actually are. Real popularity is kindness and acceptance. It is about who you are, and how you treat others.”

My 12 yr old has to read 4 books for school this summer. She was hesitant about this one but every time she's reading she's laughing out loud. She really relates to this girl and her friendships. She's even started doing some of the things this girl does! Yay. She's taking responsibility for doing her own shaving (of the pits now!).lol

I bought this book as a gift for my sister. I actually read a bit before giving it to her. I found it engaging but definitely geared toward younger readers. Still, the premise was promising and she said that she was enjoying it thus far. It would be cute to pair with a vintage advice book for a gift.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. How interesting human behaviour is. Didn't want to put it down once I started. I am looking forward to Maya's next book. How can someone so young write so well?

Great book for young girls.

The author was refreshing and witty

Really interesting to read!

This book. Is. Amazing.Insightful, funny, honest.It tells the true story of Maya testing 60 year-old advice as a wacky social experiment, and it has fascinating, moving results.

Maya van Wagenen spent her 8th grade attending a tough Texan school in Brownsville, on the border with Mexico, where she is a self acknowledged social outcast. This is her memoir of her 8th grade experiment to become more popular by following the advice of Betty Cornell's book, Teenage Popularity Guide, published in 1951. As the months go by Maya works on her posture and deportment, and her dress style, trying out skirts, pearls, twin sets and a girdle; she tries out different hairstyles and skin care and make-up a la 1951. And her hardest task is when she tries to get to know kids in the the other 'more popular' groups such as the football jocks, goth chicks, choir geeks, gangsters and spanish club.For every young teenager out there, girl or boy, this is a book for you. And for every adult who adhered to the school social hierarchy or was made an outcast by it, this is a wonderful read. Maya's experiment shows what courage, determination, tolerance, openness and kindness can do in the world around you. She writes with a natural style which shines through and reaches out to the heart of the reader in her youthful wisdom and humour.What an inspiration!

Wasn't sure whatever to expect when I started reading this book but as an adult who's just started a new job this book has given me the confidence and gumption to make sure I talk to everyone at my new job rather than just stick with the couple of people I know! Good read....would recommend!

Inspiring and I think even adults (like me at 51) can take something from this book. I've, unknowingly, followed this only own way. To take people as all being the same, all approachable and all kind. I'm sometimes wrong but like Maya, just getting a smile back when you don't expect it means the world. Will be recommending this book ! :D

This was a lovely little book. I read it before passing it on to a teen. I wished I'd had Maya's courage when I was her age. Lovely memories of school days (plus a few bad ones too)!