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sarahastrid3's review against another edition
3.0
Cute, but a little unbelievable that a middle school student would have the balls to pull this off.
emilybriano's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun book! Maya is a great writer and I think she's learned and written about a lot of things many adults never seem to master. Being popular isn't about your clothes or appearance, but reaching out to others and being a friend.
librarianmeredith's review against another edition
5.0
My friend read this book and when she told me about it I had to read it. It is soooo cute! This adorable girl finds a book from the 1950's about being popular and follows the advice, recording how it changes her life. It gives me Julie and Julia vibes. Van Wagenen gives passes on the original book's advice along with her own advice that is funny and practical. This is a feel good book!
elliegovic's review against another edition
4.0
So many great tips in there, every eighth grade girl should read it.
danimccleish's review against another edition
2.0
This book was an eh read for me. I had a good story, but not good enough for me to want to pick up the book and hear more. Maya's story is truly inspirational.
raclausing's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! This book was so different and so cool to read! Let's discuss.
Pros-
-I liked Maya. She is such a sweet, caring girl. So genuine and so real.
-I liked learning about her area and her school. Her setting growing up is very different from how mine is, and it's great to get a different perspective.
-Her journey is so funny and beautiful. Lot's of people have the same questions that she has, but she actually takes it by the reins and does something. She is so innovative, and I love what she did.
-I liked Betty! Going into this, I was thinking that Betty's book would be a olden borderline-sexist guideline enforcing stupidity in young girls. I was wrong! Betty's guide is so cool. There were of course some outdated information, but the idea behind it was awesome.
-The overall message that Maya had was AMAZING. So great to see where her journey took her. Wonderful.
Cons-
-I really disliked Kenzie. Maya kept on talking about how "Kenzie is the best friend ever omg" but I don't like her at all. She isn't supportive and she doesn't like anything having to do with change.
-Her school was ridiculous! (Or is it just me...?) Her school dress code is CRAZY and there were other things that were just strange.
-Just a personal problem. My school is nothing like hers. There is no "social order"--if there is, then it's extremely vague. People definitely aren't as mean as they are in her school.
-Maya at the beginning of this book was--sigh--ridiculous. She is in eighth grade and she's never even tried mascara or eye shadow at school before? She's never worn a skirt to school before? And for god's sake, that ponytail was the death of me. I do realize that starting eighth makes you thirteen, but come on. This isn't a catholic school.
Overall:
I loved it! There were some things that I couldn't relate to, and of course it had it's problems. But I was surprised by how much I incredibly loved the ending! And Maya! Highly recommend!
Pros-
-I liked Maya. She is such a sweet, caring girl. So genuine and so real.
-I liked learning about her area and her school. Her setting growing up is very different from how mine is, and it's great to get a different perspective.
-Her journey is so funny and beautiful. Lot's of people have the same questions that she has, but she actually takes it by the reins and does something. She is so innovative, and I love what she did.
-I liked Betty! Going into this, I was thinking that Betty's book would be a olden borderline-sexist guideline enforcing stupidity in young girls. I was wrong! Betty's guide is so cool. There were of course some outdated information, but the idea behind it was awesome.
-The overall message that Maya had was AMAZING. So great to see where her journey took her. Wonderful.
Cons-
-I really disliked Kenzie. Maya kept on talking about how "Kenzie is the best friend ever omg" but I don't like her at all. She isn't supportive and she doesn't like anything having to do with change.
-Her school was ridiculous! (Or is it just me...?) Her school dress code is CRAZY and there were other things that were just strange.
-Just a personal problem. My school is nothing like hers. There is no "social order"--if there is, then it's extremely vague. People definitely aren't as mean as they are in her school.
-Maya at the beginning of this book was--sigh--ridiculous. She is in eighth grade and she's never even tried mascara or eye shadow at school before? She's never worn a skirt to school before? And for god's sake, that ponytail was the death of me. I do realize that starting eighth makes you thirteen, but come on. This isn't a catholic school.
Overall:
I loved it! There were some things that I couldn't relate to, and of course it had it's problems. But I was surprised by how much I incredibly loved the ending! And Maya! Highly recommend!
anaespacini's review against another edition
4.0
This book was just delightful. It was simple and sweet and honest and cute.
The whole concept of doubting popularity and challenging the status quo always seemed like something out of movies & this book puts that to the test in real life with a vintage twist. Maya is very brave and brilliant - the whole book is so sweet and she's very imaginative and simple.
It's a fast read, the writing is very diary like and almost like a chat.
The whole concept of doubting popularity and challenging the status quo always seemed like something out of movies & this book puts that to the test in real life with a vintage twist. Maya is very brave and brilliant - the whole book is so sweet and she's very imaginative and simple.
It's a fast read, the writing is very diary like and almost like a chat.
brookefradd's review against another edition
3.0
I liked the concept behind the experiment, and the lesson she learned from it. Just not 100% sold on the journal itself. Nice enough book for reading during TV commercials, but nothing compelling.
comeontaylorspeaknow's review against another edition
4.0
Definitely left a good impact on me! And I really loved the message it left behind!