Popular

Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

By: Maya Van Wagenen

Narrated by: Amber Faith, Lee Adams

A touchingly honest, candidly hysterical memoir from breakout teen author Maya Van Wagenen.

Stuck at the bottom of the social ladder at "pretty much the lowest level of people at school who aren't paid to be here," Maya Van Wagenen decided to begin a unique social experiment: spend the school year following a 1950s popularity guide, written by former teen model Betty Cornell. Can curlers, girdles, Vaseline, and a strand of pearls help Maya on her quest to be popular?

The real-life results are painful, funny, and include a wonderful and unexpected surprise - meeting and befriending Betty Cornell herself. Told with humor and grace, Maya's journey offers listeners of all ages a thoroughly contemporary example of kindness and self-confidence.

**Includes a PDF of Maya's digital photo album

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2014 Maya Van Wagenen (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic reviews

“I was inspired by her 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 for the New York Times Book Review)

“Popular taps into a feeling shared by Bradbury and Bieber enthusiasts alike - the need to fit in during middle school.” (USA Today)

“An interesting and earnest memoir.” (Kirkus Reviews)

I loved this book it will change my life just like Betty did to maya

This book has completely changed the way I think about everything from how to dance to how to talk to people maya van wages can be my spirit once I get through middle school I will hopefully inspire other bright minds to other people and I will experience many things like she did my grand mother is not well and she's having heart problems and my mom in fact has cancer but she is luckily doing very much better as you can see this will relate to me once I get in 7th grade in a couple weeks and can't wait to see what's next

For every girl

This should be required reading for all middle school/junior high age girls. She is so descriptive in the emotions and experiences of girls that age. That would help so much with the anxiety so many experience going into secondary education. Really loved it!

best ever

im a 13 year old young girl and i hope to try this and one day even meet myay van waganen i hope girls as young as me read this too love this i give it 5 stars

Great young adult read

This is an OBOB book this year. H can’t really imagine my 12 year old son loving it but I wish I could have all my girls in youth group read it. Great message. Not the most impactful book I’ve ever read but it was good.

this book made me cry I felt like I was her thanku

Loved it its wonderful it will make you confident and help others it's the best I feel great I feel loved

What an amazing book

I loved reading this book it is so interesting . It reminds me of the fork diaries series! I finished this book in three days only because i didn't want to put it down! I highly recommend this book

Be You--No one else

I was assigned to read this book as a reader/reviewer for a statewide teen book awards committee, (a volunteer commitment by library professionals in the state). I do not read much in the way of memoir, and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this gem. Maya's journey was a fascinating one to listen to. It was quite a hoot at times with her alternately mortifying (that girdle...) and quintessentially awkward moments of teendom that will resonate with both teens and the adults who remember those cringe-worthy years well. The narrator did a great job sounding like a teenager without sounding whiny and petulant, (as some adults narrators seem to perform teen voice roles). Overall, a fun and endearing read.

awesome!!!

I love this book and i think i will try a few things in it out!!!

Teen girl

I love how this book was made by a teen girl! It was amazing to see how a old book changed a young girls life! I want to checkout the book she got and see what it does for me! I love this book and highly recommend it to any girls who are ok with swearing and personal body issues being talked about. It’s awe inspiring how this book was made with notes and the mind of a 8th grade girl!

Most Amazing Book Ever!

This book has Changed my whole outlook on life! Love this book so much! I am definitely buying my own copy of this book. I hope to get it signed one day!