Common Sense Note
Parents need to know that this book features a queen bee who ruthlessly torments Steph, the narrator. For her part, Steph spies on her neighbor when he's undressing, helps plan a party, and kisses two different boys. In the end, there's a good message about being true to yourself.
Families can talk about other books and movies about popularity. What other titles can you think of? How accurate are these depictions? Are most popular kids really rich, gossipy, and mean? And if so, why would anyone want to be part of an A-group?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
Readers will know from the beginning what unpopular Steph will learn as she struggles to hang out with the A-crowd. They'll even know who she'll eventually hook up with (Hint: It's not the school's hot quarterback).
They may also wonder how they're supposed to feel about the old book that inspires Steph's popularity plan. Some of the guide's advice is obviously outdated -- the book suggests white kid gloves, for example. But Steph's book also encourages girls to get involved in school activities, smile, and to remember other people's names -- all of which is actually pretty good advice, and does help Steph become popular.
But, even with these holes, readers will find this an entertainting read, and be thrilled when Steph finally figures out what really matters.
They may even want to re-read the section where Steph tells Lauren -- the school's queen bee -- to buzz off, because "there are a lot more Steph Landry's in the world -- people who've made fools of themselves in public, people who don't have every hair perfectly in place all the time, people who don't have rich parents who'll buy them a new car every year -- than there are stuck-up beauty queens like you."
From The Book
It was all well and good for Jason to say it like that -- "POPULAR?" -- but he didn't know, did he? He didn't know what it was like. He was a freak by CHOICE. He didn't HAVE to be a freak, with that body and those parents and this house. He could have been as popular as Mark Finley, if he wanted to.
He just didn't want to.
Something I would never, ever, in a million years, understand.
Plot Summary:
With the help of an outdated book about popularity, Steph Landry is determined to trade in her social leper status for life on the A-list.
But as she starts to climb the social ladder, she realizes that popularity isn't everything she dreamed it to be.
Related Books:
Also By Meg Cabot
All-American Girl
Movie for Cabot Fans
The Princess Diaries
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Sexual ContentSteph secretly spies on her neighbor undressing; some kissing; Steph wakes up next to Jason, but both are full clothed. |
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LanguageSome stuff, like "ass" or "bitch." |
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Social BehaviorSteph eventually learns to like being herself -- not being popular. |
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CommercialismSome product name dropping, such as Krispy Kreme, Pizza Hut, BMW, Calvin Klein, Crest Whitestrips. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoThe A-crowd plans a rager, complete with a keg. |
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