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.
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This young author explores complex relationships and the journey of adolescence in her debut novel. Through her work, she delves into themes of family, place, and the search for identity. Her writing style is contemporary and accessible, capturing authentic teenage experiences with wit and empathy. The author's work resonates with readers seeking honest and insightful perspectives on navigating early adulthood.





- 2014
- 2014
Popular a memoir
- 259 pages
- 10 hours of reading
Documents a high school student's year-long attempt to change her social status from that of a misfit to a member of the "in" crowd by following advice in a 1950s popularity guide, an experiment that triggered embarrassment, humor and unexpected surprises.