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hloflin22's review against another edition
5.0
Read this book for the first time in seventh grade, have read it many more times.
zonkorose's review against another edition
3.0
This wasn't my favourite Meg Cabot book. It was in a diary format and I'm generally not as fond of diary style books, which is probably why I haven't touched the Princess Diaries yet. I just think that style often has characters that are more dislikeable. Still, it was a pretty good read.
Steph was annoying at times but not as selfish as I originally thought she would be. I liked that in the persuit of her popularity she didn't blank her old friends and tried to involve them as well. I also liked the fact that the way she went about being popular didn't involve being mean or malicious. I did take issue with the perving on her best friend/eventual love interest by watching him get changed, though.
Jason and Becca were interesting minor characters, as well as Darlene. The conclusion, when everyone tries to get into Steph's grandad's observatory for a party was good, and I remember feeling relieved that she came to her senses and kept them out. Jason hiding with a golf club to make sure that she made the right choice was also an amusing image. The resolution between Steph and Jason was rather obvious, but they were still pretty sweet together. The book turning out to just be a joke gift was also a nice touch.
Steph was annoying at times but not as selfish as I originally thought she would be. I liked that in the persuit of her popularity she didn't blank her old friends and tried to involve them as well. I also liked the fact that the way she went about being popular didn't involve being mean or malicious. I did take issue with the perving on her best friend/eventual love interest by watching him get changed, though.
Jason and Becca were interesting minor characters, as well as Darlene. The conclusion, when everyone tries to get into Steph's grandad's observatory for a party was good, and I remember feeling relieved that she came to her senses and kept them out. Jason hiding with a golf club to make sure that she made the right choice was also an amusing image. The resolution between Steph and Jason was rather obvious, but they were still pretty sweet together. The book turning out to just be a joke gift was also a nice touch.
alyperez17's review against another edition
4.0
A very good book from Meg Cabot about popularity.
As a teenager, I know and I understand that most teens wants to be well-loved and always find that sense of belongingness in her society. And Steph is one of them. A girl who desperately want fame and popularity. A girl who wants to be liked by her peers. And when she got a book on How To Be Popular, she did all the things it said. She ended up falling from grace but realizing that Fame isn't what High School Life is all about, but instead, fun, and friends.
As a teenager, I know and I understand that most teens wants to be well-loved and always find that sense of belongingness in her society. And Steph is one of them. A girl who desperately want fame and popularity. A girl who wants to be liked by her peers. And when she got a book on How To Be Popular, she did all the things it said. She ended up falling from grace but realizing that Fame isn't what High School Life is all about, but instead, fun, and friends.
wendythegeekgoddess's review against another edition
3.0
Like most of Meg Cabots novels, How to be Popular was a very light read. This is the perfect beach read or just one of those books that you pick up when you want to read something that isn't heavy. It's filled with her quirky humor that I enjoy so much. The story is about 16 year old Steph who really wants to be popular so when she finds an old book in the attic, a guide on HOW TO be popular she's shocked when it's advice works.
This is a great novel for teens in high school. It teaches that being popular isn't as great as it looks and that there's more to life then being popular, much more important things, actually. I liked this novel and I know I would have enjoyed 100x more back in high school. Totally recommend to all the teens out there.
If you liked how to be popular, you'd also enjoy:
1. Teen idol by: Meg Cabot
2. The princess diaries by: Meg Cabot
This is a great novel for teens in high school. It teaches that being popular isn't as great as it looks and that there's more to life then being popular, much more important things, actually. I liked this novel and I know I would have enjoyed 100x more back in high school. Totally recommend to all the teens out there.
If you liked how to be popular, you'd also enjoy:
1. Teen idol by: Meg Cabot
2. The princess diaries by: Meg Cabot
novelette's review against another edition
3.0
Yet again, another story where the main character lets her best friend treat her like dirt. There is no reason for this; Steph is sweet, intelligent and pretty. Yet as soon as she starts be social, her friends turn on her like she has a scarlet A.
I like Ms. Cabot's books, but the story is not complete without an abusive relationship
I like Ms. Cabot's books, but the story is not complete without an abusive relationship
belusalreads's review
3.0
On suit l'histoire de Steph Landry. Il se trouve que quand elle était plus jeune elle a renversé de la grenadine sur la jupe de la fille populaire, Lauren, et depuis, Lauren a fait de sa vie un cauchemar en l'embêtant et l'expression est restée dans toute la vie en disant "ne fais pas ta Steph" et cetera. Steph, Jason et Becca sont donc amis ensemble ; Jason et Steph étant amis depuis tous petits et ils sont impopulaires. Steph a ses deux parents et a quatre frères et sœurs, bientôt 5, et son grand-père a fait construire un observatoire dans la petite ville où ils vivent afin de plaire à la grand-mère de Jason, Kitty, à qui il va bientôt se marier. Un jour, Steph a demandé à Kitty si elle pouvait prendre une boîte de livres de chez elle et dedans il y avait un bouquin qui expliquait la recette pour devenir populaire. Steph a commencé à le lire quelques jours avant sa rentrée en première puisqu'elle a 16 ans et a appliqué toutes les étapes pour devenir populaire. Elle a changé de style vestimentaire, de manière de parler, elle s'implique plus à l'école, elle veut devenir première en tout et ça a très vite marché puisqu'elle a réussi à s'intégrer à la table des "idoles", des personnes populaires du lycée. Cette nouvelle popularité lui a valu que Jason et Becca s'éloignent d'elle parce qu'ils la trouvaient différente mais elle s'est rapprochée de Marc, le garçon qui sort avec Lauren, qui est populaire et qu'elle croit aimer. Pour récolter des fonds, elle s'est proposée que chacun vende ses talents et donc elle a réussi à récolter plein de fonds et entre autres Marc va poser pour la librairie que ses parents à elle tiennent. Elle croit que Marc est gentil avec elle et il l'embrasse même mais en réalité c'est juste pour l'embobiner car Lauren et toute sa bande veulent faire une fête dans l'observatoire du grand-père de Steph mais Steph a dit oui juste pour ne pas devenir impopulaire mais elle a peur que tout le monde détruise l'Observatoire. Le soir de la fête elle est tourmentée car elle hésite à leur ouvrir l'Observatoire et elle se demande si elle veut vraiment devenir populaire ou si elle préfère récupérer Jason et son grand-père en faisant en sorte qu'ils soient fiers d'elle. Et alors elle décide de ne pas leur ouvrir la porte, elle sait qu'ils seront énervés mais Jason écoutait en secret et alors il lui avoue qu'il l'aimait depuis toujours, ce qu'elle croyait faux car Jason lui disait qu'il ne croyait pas en l'amour mais il disait ça uniquement parce qu'il savait qu'il l'aimait depuis tout petit et elle elle s'est rendu compte qu'en réalité elle n'aimait pas Mark mais Jason aussi. Ils s'embrassent et passent toute la nuit dans l'observatoire. Leurs parents et grands-parents sont effrayés quand ils les retrouvent le lendemain, le jour du mariage de Kitty et du grand-père de Steph. Steph et Jason vont donc être en couple et Becca, qui croyait être amoureuse de Jason va en réalité se rendre compte qu'elle aime l'ami de Jason. Steph admet à Kitty qu'elle a trouvé ce livre et essayé de faire toutes les étapes pour devenir populaire mais que ça n'a marché qu'un court temps, le temps d'une semaine, mais alors qu'elle s'apprêtait à aller boire un café avec Jason, Steph croise Lauren, Mark, Darlène (une autre fille qu'elle avait rencontré) et Todd et un autre garçon (ses admirateurs), et pour la première fois Steph ose affronter Lauren et lui dit qu'elle est égocentrique, qu'elle est méchante et qu'elle va se retrouver seule. Alors les amis de Lauren et Mark vont tous avec Steph et Jason dans le café et Mark et Lorraine se retrouvent tout seuls. Au dernier moment, Stéphanie rattrape Mark et Lauren et leur propose de venir. Lauren était en pleurs mais ils acceptent quand même. On a donc une fin heureuse puisque finalement elle a réussi à être populaire tout en trouvant son "bon".
On retrouve dans ce roman beaucoup des caractéristiques de Meg Cabot et beaucoup de similarité avec Le Journal d'une princesse. On pourrait comparer Steph avec la princesse Mia, Jason avec Michael, Lauren la méchante fille serait Lana Weinberger et on retrouve beaucoup des expressions et des sentiments entre Steph et Mia.
On retrouve dans ce roman beaucoup des caractéristiques de Meg Cabot et beaucoup de similarité avec Le Journal d'une princesse. On pourrait comparer Steph avec la princesse Mia, Jason avec Michael, Lauren la méchante fille serait Lana Weinberger et on retrouve beaucoup des expressions et des sentiments entre Steph et Mia.
sarahrheawerner's review against another edition
2.0
Essentially, it's a copy-paste of the plot and romantic tension from "The Princess Diaries" without the princess. I expect so much more from Meg Cabot, but maybe I shouldn't. Then again, maybe I should stop browsing the "YA" (Young Adult) section of the library (despite its holding so many other wonderful volumes)...
stephxsu's review against another edition
2.0
Steph Landry has been unpopular ever since she accidentally spilled a slurpee over queen bee Lauren Moffat's skirt in sixth grade. Now, nearly 5 years later, Lauren has still not forgiven Steph, and everyone in town uses the phrase "Don't pull a Steph!" when talking about doing something stupid or klutzy.
But Steph has had enough of it. She's going to be popular, with the help of a book she found in her best friend Jason's grandmother's attic. The book's going to teach her how to be popular, including but not limited to, wardrobe fixes, being nice, fixing bad reputations, maintaining old friendship, and so on.
So what if her old friends Jason and Becca think she's going crazy by ditching the "criminal mastermind" she used to be? She's friends with Darlene now, the prettiest girl in school! So what if Becca's developing a misconstrued crush on Jason? Steph's making friends with Mark Finley, the most popular and nicest senior in school, who is also Her One. (Only he doesn't know it yet.) So what if it really bugs her that Becca's obsessed with Jason? She's got Mark.
Or does she?
Does Steph really have anything at all? She plans an amazing fundraiser for the senior class, and even Lauren Moffat is being nicer to her. But when Steph is forced to choose between staying loyal to her family and old friends, and being on her new friends' good side by holding a party, which will she choose?
With a memorable cast of minor characters and a sweet ending everyone will root for, Meg Cabot has delivered another crowd-pleaser. HOW TO BE POPULAR is not a book on ditching one's true character in order to be accepted. The book actually contains some good advice in addition to being a good read, too.
But Steph has had enough of it. She's going to be popular, with the help of a book she found in her best friend Jason's grandmother's attic. The book's going to teach her how to be popular, including but not limited to, wardrobe fixes, being nice, fixing bad reputations, maintaining old friendship, and so on.
So what if her old friends Jason and Becca think she's going crazy by ditching the "criminal mastermind" she used to be? She's friends with Darlene now, the prettiest girl in school! So what if Becca's developing a misconstrued crush on Jason? Steph's making friends with Mark Finley, the most popular and nicest senior in school, who is also Her One. (Only he doesn't know it yet.) So what if it really bugs her that Becca's obsessed with Jason? She's got Mark.
Or does she?
Does Steph really have anything at all? She plans an amazing fundraiser for the senior class, and even Lauren Moffat is being nicer to her. But when Steph is forced to choose between staying loyal to her family and old friends, and being on her new friends' good side by holding a party, which will she choose?
With a memorable cast of minor characters and a sweet ending everyone will root for, Meg Cabot has delivered another crowd-pleaser. HOW TO BE POPULAR is not a book on ditching one's true character in order to be accepted. The book actually contains some good advice in addition to being a good read, too.
newyorkshire's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This one was a cute story where the main character learns important lessons, not only about herself, but about people/society in general.