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How Not to Be Popular
Maggie Dempsey is tired of moving all over the country. Her parents are second-generation hippies who uproot her every year or so to move to a new city. When Maggie was younger, she thought it was fun and adventurous. Now that she’s a teenager, she hates it. When she moved after her freshman year, she left behind good friends, a great school, and a real feeling of belonging. When she moved her sophomore year, she left behind a boyfriend, too. Now that they’ve moved to Austin, she knows better. She’s not going to make friends. She’s not going to fit in. Anything to prevent her from liking this new place and them from liking her. Only . . . things don’t go exactly as planned.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published January 8, 2008
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August 19, 2013
Definitely one of my more enjoyable forays into young adult literature. Sugar Magnolia "Maggie" Dempsey is the surprisingly well-adjusted daughter of hippie parents. While loving and supportive, her restless parents uproot Maggie every few months and move to another part of the country. As a young girl, Maggie loved the adventure and diversity of her parents' nomadic lifestyle. However, Maggie is now in high school and this latest move has resulted in a break-up with her first serious boyfriend. Tired of making friends only to tearfully leave them a few months later, Maggie decides that she will protect herself this time by refusing to make friends. Thus begins her quest to become unpopular.
The book is laugh out loud funny as Maggie does her best to shun popularity through a series self-inflicted, horrifyingly embarrassing situations. The problem is that she's unwittingly setting trends as she goes against the social hierarchy of her new school. No matter how hard she tries to be a social outcast, she becomes the new "it" girl.
What makes the novel so relatable is Maggie. Maggie's smart, but not precocious. She's level-headed, but not so much so that she doesn't screw things up along the way. She's neither obnoxiously mature or immature--she just seems like a real teenager. And, to top it all off, she's funny and not wistfully pining for a vampire--my current requirements for young adult heroines.
Cross posted at
The book is laugh out loud funny as Maggie does her best to shun popularity through a series self-inflicted, horrifyingly embarrassing situations. The problem is that she's unwittingly setting trends as she goes against the social hierarchy of her new school. No matter how hard she tries to be a social outcast, she becomes the new "it" girl.
What makes the novel so relatable is Maggie. Maggie's smart, but not precocious. She's level-headed, but not so much so that she doesn't screw things up along the way. She's neither obnoxiously mature or immature--she just seems like a real teenager. And, to top it all off, she's funny and not wistfully pining for a vampire--my current requirements for young adult heroines.
Cross posted at
August 12, 2016
Sugar Magnolia, weird name right? But our main character prefers to go by Maggie. It would be an understatement to say that she moves A LOT. Her parents are the "free sprited" type and don't get tied down to one place. She is fed up with losing friends (and now boyfriend) everytime she moves, so she comes up with a brillant plan (well she thinks it's brillant). At her next school she is going to do everything possible to be the most unpopular student ever, so she'll never have to lose anybody again.
As you can already tell things don't go as planned...
This was a really funny book and it was hard for me to decide how many stars I should give it. I really enjoyed it but there were some things that I don't know... irked me. First of all her parents are probably are an extreme stereotype (I'm assuming), which is bad and good. Her parents bring a lot of comedic moments, but I never have met anybody who really is like her parents. I guess that doesn't mean those kind of people don't exist though. The other thing that bothered me was that realistically Maggie could have done better to become unpopular. She could have been rude, mean, and crude and then defintely she would have been friendless. But if she really did those things we wouldn't have this great story.
You really feel Maggie's pain, and there is one part in the book that I really had to push myself through (you'll get what I mean when you get there). I understand why the author had her do that, but still it was hard to watch.
Wonderful lesson, wish I had read this book in high school.
As you can already tell things don't go as planned...
This was a really funny book and it was hard for me to decide how many stars I should give it. I really enjoyed it but there were some things that I don't know... irked me. First of all her parents are probably are an extreme stereotype (I'm assuming), which is bad and good. Her parents bring a lot of comedic moments, but I never have met anybody who really is like her parents. I guess that doesn't mean those kind of people don't exist though. The other thing that bothered me was that realistically Maggie could have done better to become unpopular. She could have been rude, mean, and crude and then defintely she would have been friendless. But if she really did those things we wouldn't have this great story.
You really feel Maggie's pain, and there is one part in the book that I really had to push myself through (you'll get what I mean when you get there). I understand why the author had her do that, but still it was hard to watch.
Wonderful lesson, wish I had read this book in high school.
August 27, 2014
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She’s not related to Patrick Dempsey if that’s what you’re wondering. If she was, I might’ve liked Sugar Magnolia (Maggie) better.
If you want to really know how to be unpopular all you have to dress in an inconspicuous manner and have a desire to do something other than socialize (like read YA books). Of course, you might get French Fries thrown at you in the school’s courtyard, but that’s another story for another time.
This book though tells you that the only way to be unpopular is to be a weirdo. And that all unpopular kids are somehow mentally off in a way that meets none of the description in the DMS IV that I know of-I wasn’t a psych major though, so that might be the problem. The point is, this book. It just made me annoyed and angry and gave me a fucking migraine.
So let’s begin shall we before I get out the vodka and do something stupid.
Let’s start with the quote where I knew I was going to have to deal with extraordinary stupidity:
"A tall guy is standing in the middle of the desks with his hands cupped around his mouth for better amplification. He seems like a total Young Republican , with his pressed navy slacks and powder blue button-down. His hair is neatly parted and combed, probably with some sort of mousse or gel in it. He reminds me of the Mormon missionary kids Rosie and Les are always inviting inside for tea and a talk on the Bhagavad Gita." (19)
Well, at least he didn’t have blue eyes.
But this is the love interest, kids. And I’m sorry but I don’t find Young Democrats or Republicans or any Young Politicos sexy. As for young Mormon missionaries, I don’t think they are really trying to look sexy when they’re doing mission work. But if that floats your boat and you give the most cliche YA love interest name (Jack), well, then…
Jack’s your man.
He’s swoon worthy. You know, being the class suck up that tells everyone to shut up at the beginning of class.
"Y’all sit down and be quiet!" (19)
I hated kids like that in school didn’t exactly lust over them.
Though, Maggie wasn’t that much of a princess either.
I have had comments that just hating characters aren’t enough to make someone hate a book, but I think if any of those individuals read this book they’d be agreeing with me that it can ruin a book.
Especially if it’s in first person.
Maggie was just mean.
Yes, I said mean. Anyone who is a nerd in real life is going to hate her. Heck, anyone who loves old TV shows, vintage clothes, and culture is going to hate her.
"This is it. The perfect recipe for supreme dorkdom. I’m in the school cafeteria, dressed like a color-blind geisha pulling food out of a Star Trek lunch box while sitting between my parents and across from Penny" (145).
Save for the popular people in this school apparently and Penny and everyone else.
But I don’t see why?
Maggie’s stunts are just so cringe worthy that I had to put the book down several times to prevent my wall from getting dents in it. You think flashing a guy with your undies is going to make him not like you. It will make you a dumb ass sure…but since most guys like to get in girls pants I don’t think that this is exactly going to be guy repellent.
Then there’s the clothes.
Maggie’s unpopular clothes consists of things that you’d see out of Lola Nolan’s closet. I’m serious. It’s just some bizarre thrift mart wear. That’s really not that bizarre, I was a creative writing major who had morning classes and whose building was frequented by the homeless-I saw some weird fashion shit. I just don’t know why we had to have that scene with her parents coming to the school…well, I guess they had to come to show the kids how to do vagina exercises.
" ‘You know what else you should do for those infections?’ Rosie leans forward and her beads tap rhythmically against the tabletop. ‘ You should do vaginal exercises.’
I hear a choking sound in back of me as one of the giggly girls start hacking and coughing. Turning toward the noise, I find all six of them red faced. Five out of embarrassment, and one from lack of oxygen.
‘Someone your age really should practice these movements,” Rosie keeps on saying to Penny. ‘All you girls should.” She turns to include the group behind us. ‘It will aid urine flow and enhance pleasure during intercourse.’
The girls exchange wide-eyed glances and start laughing incredulously.
‘Here,’ Rosie says. ‘Let me demonstrate.” "(146-147)
Yes, vagina exercises.
I’m sure that the Young Republicans’ Old Republican parents are just going to love it.
But apparently, they did. Since nothing was said in the book about people complaining.
I get that it’s Austin, probably the most liberal of Texas cities, but it’s still Texas. Even though, it’s weird.
Vaginal exercises.
I can’t make this stuff up.
Oh, but it gets better.
Get the popcorn, because this next part of my probably not that epic of a rant is going to be about Maggie’s new b.f.f: Penny. And boy do a have a lot to say about Penny.
She’s not related to Patrick Dempsey if that’s what you’re wondering. If she was, I might’ve liked Sugar Magnolia (Maggie) better.
If you want to really know how to be unpopular all you have to dress in an inconspicuous manner and have a desire to do something other than socialize (like read YA books). Of course, you might get French Fries thrown at you in the school’s courtyard, but that’s another story for another time.
This book though tells you that the only way to be unpopular is to be a weirdo. And that all unpopular kids are somehow mentally off in a way that meets none of the description in the DMS IV that I know of-I wasn’t a psych major though, so that might be the problem. The point is, this book. It just made me annoyed and angry and gave me a fucking migraine.
So let’s begin shall we before I get out the vodka and do something stupid.
Let’s start with the quote where I knew I was going to have to deal with extraordinary stupidity:
"A tall guy is standing in the middle of the desks with his hands cupped around his mouth for better amplification. He seems like a total Young Republican , with his pressed navy slacks and powder blue button-down. His hair is neatly parted and combed, probably with some sort of mousse or gel in it. He reminds me of the Mormon missionary kids Rosie and Les are always inviting inside for tea and a talk on the Bhagavad Gita." (19)
Well, at least he didn’t have blue eyes.
But this is the love interest, kids. And I’m sorry but I don’t find Young Democrats or Republicans or any Young Politicos sexy. As for young Mormon missionaries, I don’t think they are really trying to look sexy when they’re doing mission work. But if that floats your boat and you give the most cliche YA love interest name (Jack), well, then…
Jack’s your man.
He’s swoon worthy. You know, being the class suck up that tells everyone to shut up at the beginning of class.
"Y’all sit down and be quiet!" (19)
I hated kids like that in school didn’t exactly lust over them.
Though, Maggie wasn’t that much of a princess either.
I have had comments that just hating characters aren’t enough to make someone hate a book, but I think if any of those individuals read this book they’d be agreeing with me that it can ruin a book.
Especially if it’s in first person.
Maggie was just mean.
Yes, I said mean. Anyone who is a nerd in real life is going to hate her. Heck, anyone who loves old TV shows, vintage clothes, and culture is going to hate her.
"This is it. The perfect recipe for supreme dorkdom. I’m in the school cafeteria, dressed like a color-blind geisha pulling food out of a Star Trek lunch box while sitting between my parents and across from Penny" (145).
Save for the popular people in this school apparently and Penny and everyone else.
But I don’t see why?
Maggie’s stunts are just so cringe worthy that I had to put the book down several times to prevent my wall from getting dents in it. You think flashing a guy with your undies is going to make him not like you. It will make you a dumb ass sure…but since most guys like to get in girls pants I don’t think that this is exactly going to be guy repellent.
Then there’s the clothes.
Maggie’s unpopular clothes consists of things that you’d see out of Lola Nolan’s closet. I’m serious. It’s just some bizarre thrift mart wear. That’s really not that bizarre, I was a creative writing major who had morning classes and whose building was frequented by the homeless-I saw some weird fashion shit. I just don’t know why we had to have that scene with her parents coming to the school…well, I guess they had to come to show the kids how to do vagina exercises.
" ‘You know what else you should do for those infections?’ Rosie leans forward and her beads tap rhythmically against the tabletop. ‘ You should do vaginal exercises.’
I hear a choking sound in back of me as one of the giggly girls start hacking and coughing. Turning toward the noise, I find all six of them red faced. Five out of embarrassment, and one from lack of oxygen.
‘Someone your age really should practice these movements,” Rosie keeps on saying to Penny. ‘All you girls should.” She turns to include the group behind us. ‘It will aid urine flow and enhance pleasure during intercourse.’
The girls exchange wide-eyed glances and start laughing incredulously.
‘Here,’ Rosie says. ‘Let me demonstrate.” "(146-147)
Yes, vagina exercises.
I’m sure that the Young Republicans’ Old Republican parents are just going to love it.
But apparently, they did. Since nothing was said in the book about people complaining.
I get that it’s Austin, probably the most liberal of Texas cities, but it’s still Texas. Even though, it’s weird.
Vaginal exercises.
I can’t make this stuff up.
Oh, but it gets better.
Get the popcorn, because this next part of my probably not that epic of a rant is going to be about Maggie’s new b.f.f: Penny. And boy do a have a lot to say about Penny.
January 26, 2009
This book was incredibly funny, though it's mostly because the main character embarasses herself so often. I found myself being embarassed for her a few times myself.
Qucik Overview: Maggie(Sugar Magnolia being her given name) has been moving around with her hippie parents her whole life and she's tired of it. Having to say goodbye to friends she just made, and having to be the new girl all over again. This last move was different though because this time she had to leave a boyfriend behind. A boyfriend that broke up with her because she's moving away. She makes a decision that this time she isn't going to make any friends. She's going to be by herself that way she can leave with no strings attached. Maggie is on a quest to be unpopular, but finds that she makes friends with a group of geeks and still manages to be more popular than ever.
I thought that Maggie would be a little more of a likable character, but she complained through practically the whole book. You understand her and feel for her though so it isn't too annoying. She does some pretty ridiculous stuff in her effort to be unpopular. Even though at times I wondered, she really does have a logical train of thought (although I would never come to the conclusions and courses of action that she does).In other reviews people mention how they hate when Maggie's mean to her friends. I admit that I almost hated her for doing it. I could see it coming, it was futile but I freaked out about how it was all going to go down. Really though it doesn't last very long at all so it's bearable. The message of the book is an old one but the author does a really good job of driving the point home. Showing us why we shouldn't care so much about what people think. Especially the ones that don't matter or that we don't like. Also the authors assessment of the high school dynamic was hilariously accurate (having moved around myself I can say that it's true for the most part).
I loved the friendships that Maggie develops. All her geeky friends are so weird that you have to love them. Even though Penny's awkward she's a great friend. It peeved me at first that the ending isn't totally wrapped up. The whole open ending thing kinda irks me. Most everything is resolved, but there's still room for other possibilities, but it makes sense. The author doesn't want other things to overshadow the true meaning of the book. One thing that I really feel needs to be mentoined is that it's a lot easier to be unpopular than Maggie portrays. If it was that easy to be accepted just about everyone would be popular. Still though a great funny, funny book with a good meassage that we have to keep on learning.
Qucik Overview: Maggie(Sugar Magnolia being her given name) has been moving around with her hippie parents her whole life and she's tired of it. Having to say goodbye to friends she just made, and having to be the new girl all over again. This last move was different though because this time she had to leave a boyfriend behind. A boyfriend that broke up with her because she's moving away. She makes a decision that this time she isn't going to make any friends. She's going to be by herself that way she can leave with no strings attached. Maggie is on a quest to be unpopular, but finds that she makes friends with a group of geeks and still manages to be more popular than ever.
I thought that Maggie would be a little more of a likable character, but she complained through practically the whole book. You understand her and feel for her though so it isn't too annoying. She does some pretty ridiculous stuff in her effort to be unpopular. Even though at times I wondered, she really does have a logical train of thought (although I would never come to the conclusions and courses of action that she does).In other reviews people mention how they hate when Maggie's mean to her friends. I admit that I almost hated her for doing it. I could see it coming, it was futile but I freaked out about how it was all going to go down. Really though it doesn't last very long at all so it's bearable. The message of the book is an old one but the author does a really good job of driving the point home. Showing us why we shouldn't care so much about what people think. Especially the ones that don't matter or that we don't like. Also the authors assessment of the high school dynamic was hilariously accurate (having moved around myself I can say that it's true for the most part).
I loved the friendships that Maggie develops. All her geeky friends are so weird that you have to love them. Even though Penny's awkward she's a great friend. It peeved me at first that the ending isn't totally wrapped up. The whole open ending thing kinda irks me. Most everything is resolved, but there's still room for other possibilities, but it makes sense. The author doesn't want other things to overshadow the true meaning of the book. One thing that I really feel needs to be mentoined is that it's a lot easier to be unpopular than Maggie portrays. If it was that easy to be accepted just about everyone would be popular. Still though a great funny, funny book with a good meassage that we have to keep on learning.
December 22, 2010
“Home is not where you live, but where they understand you”
Christian Morganstern
Meet Sugar Magnolia (seriously that is her name, I'm a little bit jealous... how cool is it to be named after a Greatful dead song?!?!?!). Uprooted from every home she has ever known, Sugar(Maggie) is forced to move around with her hippie, free-spirited parents. After her longest stint somewhere of 6 months, she has acquired friends and a boyfriend only to find out they are moving again. She decided she is going to make herself a social outcast and not make any friends so she doesn't have to deal with the hurt of leaving them behind. Only our little flower child has a way of making waves even when she's not trying to. She meets people and pushes them away. She finds herself in a time of actually having real permanent problems- Is she going to be stuck in the one place she has tried so desperately not to fit in?!?!?
"She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need,
A breeze in the pines in the summer night moonlight, crazy in the sunlight yes indeed."
-Sugar Magnolia-
While listening to Greatful Dead would have probably been a better option, this book did have it's fair share of heart-warming and fun moments. This one somewhat reminds me of "The King of the Screwups", only from a girl version not a guy.
Also, Penny has to be one of the best book friend character's ever!
3.5 stars
Christian Morganstern
Meet Sugar Magnolia (seriously that is her name, I'm a little bit jealous... how cool is it to be named after a Greatful dead song?!?!?!). Uprooted from every home she has ever known, Sugar(Maggie) is forced to move around with her hippie, free-spirited parents. After her longest stint somewhere of 6 months, she has acquired friends and a boyfriend only to find out they are moving again. She decided she is going to make herself a social outcast and not make any friends so she doesn't have to deal with the hurt of leaving them behind. Only our little flower child has a way of making waves even when she's not trying to. She meets people and pushes them away. She finds herself in a time of actually having real permanent problems- Is she going to be stuck in the one place she has tried so desperately not to fit in?!?!?
"She's got everything delightful, she's got everything I need,
A breeze in the pines in the summer night moonlight, crazy in the sunlight yes indeed."
-Sugar Magnolia-
While listening to Greatful Dead would have probably been a better option, this book did have it's fair share of heart-warming and fun moments. This one somewhat reminds me of "The King of the Screwups", only from a girl version not a guy.
Also, Penny has to be one of the best book friend character's ever!
3.5 stars
November 28, 2008
Ziegler, Jennifer. 2008. How Not To Be Popular.
Oh crap. What did I just do?
How Not To Be Popular begs the question how far would you go to not be popular. Maggie Dempsey hates her life, hates her parents. Okay, maybe hate is too strong a word. She hates the fact that just when she's getting settled down, making friends, having a love life, her parents decide it's time to move. Again. And again. And again. This time, Maggie has had it. She's definitely HAD IT. No more settling down. No more making friends. And no more trying to have a love life, hooking a boyfriend only to have to say goodbye.
So Maggie settles on a plan. A plan to make her the most UNpopular girl in Austin, Texas. She'll do the exact opposite of what comes naturally to her. She'll ignore the cute guys that flirt with her. No matter how cute. No matter how persistent. She won't make herself likable to the popular girls. Won't play into their games. Won't worship the ground they walk on. Won't hang on every word or friendly smile. But it's not enough--she soon realizes--to just be neutral. Soon she'll be seeking out the ugliest clothes and shoes to wear, joining the geekiest clubs, and hanging out with all the wrong people. Will it be enough then?
Maggie takes on the persona of the geekiest of the geeks, the weirdest of the weird. Doing cartwheels--in a dress at the movie theatre, flashing panties weird. Carrying a potted plant of rosemary to school to sniff because she has a headache weird. No matter what she does, Maggie finds herself liked and admired and the center of attention.
What does a girl have to do to make no one like her? Will telling the truth do it?
Read and see in How Not To Be Popular.
How Not To Be Popular is as silly as can be. Stretching credibility to the max. Would any teenage girl go to such extremes? Sacrificing dignity every single day of the school year? Not caring what ANY one thought of her? This isn't a novel of a girl being herself, finding herself, learning to love herself as she is. This is a story of a girl living a lie, being a lie. Though I suppose one could definitely argue that Maggie doesn't know herself well enough to distinguish what being real, being authentic, being genuine is...what it means. She could just as easily be living a lie when she's wearing the popular persona as well. Trading one lie for another. Who is she really? Will she ever know? Will we?
I liked elements of How Not To Be Popular. I did. But there were parts of me that hated Maggie as well. Hated her for her hypocrisy. Hated her for how easy it was for her. How easy everyone just "loved" and "adored" her.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
Oh crap. What did I just do?
How Not To Be Popular begs the question how far would you go to not be popular. Maggie Dempsey hates her life, hates her parents. Okay, maybe hate is too strong a word. She hates the fact that just when she's getting settled down, making friends, having a love life, her parents decide it's time to move. Again. And again. And again. This time, Maggie has had it. She's definitely HAD IT. No more settling down. No more making friends. And no more trying to have a love life, hooking a boyfriend only to have to say goodbye.
So Maggie settles on a plan. A plan to make her the most UNpopular girl in Austin, Texas. She'll do the exact opposite of what comes naturally to her. She'll ignore the cute guys that flirt with her. No matter how cute. No matter how persistent. She won't make herself likable to the popular girls. Won't play into their games. Won't worship the ground they walk on. Won't hang on every word or friendly smile. But it's not enough--she soon realizes--to just be neutral. Soon she'll be seeking out the ugliest clothes and shoes to wear, joining the geekiest clubs, and hanging out with all the wrong people. Will it be enough then?
Maggie takes on the persona of the geekiest of the geeks, the weirdest of the weird. Doing cartwheels--in a dress at the movie theatre, flashing panties weird. Carrying a potted plant of rosemary to school to sniff because she has a headache weird. No matter what she does, Maggie finds herself liked and admired and the center of attention.
What does a girl have to do to make no one like her? Will telling the truth do it?
Read and see in How Not To Be Popular.
How Not To Be Popular is as silly as can be. Stretching credibility to the max. Would any teenage girl go to such extremes? Sacrificing dignity every single day of the school year? Not caring what ANY one thought of her? This isn't a novel of a girl being herself, finding herself, learning to love herself as she is. This is a story of a girl living a lie, being a lie. Though I suppose one could definitely argue that Maggie doesn't know herself well enough to distinguish what being real, being authentic, being genuine is...what it means. She could just as easily be living a lie when she's wearing the popular persona as well. Trading one lie for another. Who is she really? Will she ever know? Will we?
I liked elements of How Not To Be Popular. I did. But there were parts of me that hated Maggie as well. Hated her for her hypocrisy. Hated her for how easy it was for her. How easy everyone just "loved" and "adored" her.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
January 28, 2009
I guess the reason I was so in dire need to read How NOT To Be Popular is that I, too, have moved around my fair share and I wanted to see if I could relate to the main character, Sugar Magnolia Dempsey (no, I am not kidding) (call her Maggie). I am so sick of reading sad books about moving--damn it, I have my own life's sob fest to keep me depressed if I wish to be. I wanted some humor along with the situation. And anyone who's read the back cover's Tips for NOT Being Popular (posted above) can only hope that's what this book will provide. Hey, it did.
I liked this. Even though it's laced with humor, How NOT To Be Popular does touch on some important themes. Maggie goes down a tumultuous road filled with lies and the turnaround is not at all what she expected--she's actually accepted by her peers because she's "real". Is her deceit excusable because she was only trying to protect herself? Or does that make her all the more selfish?
And, as a side note here, I was discussing the irony of Maggie's supposed image with Jennifer. Maggie tries to copy her only friend, Penny, because Penny is naturally good at being "uncool". People praise Maggie for her authenticity but they treat Penny like crap. Does realism have to come in a certain package for it to be appraised? Why is Maggie accepted but not Penny? Like I said, while it is a generally light book, it does have its thought-provoking moments.
Now, for the criticism. The reason I'm giving this book a B instead of an A is because it had a slow going all the way through that interefered with the narrative. Could've been tightened. Also, much as I understand Maggie, I got irritated with the way she treated people at some points in the novel. Maybe it fits the bill for what her character was supposed to be, but it did get a rile out of me.
Recommendation? Yup. It's damn funny. :)
I liked this. Even though it's laced with humor, How NOT To Be Popular does touch on some important themes. Maggie goes down a tumultuous road filled with lies and the turnaround is not at all what she expected--she's actually accepted by her peers because she's "real". Is her deceit excusable because she was only trying to protect herself? Or does that make her all the more selfish?
And, as a side note here, I was discussing the irony of Maggie's supposed image with Jennifer. Maggie tries to copy her only friend, Penny, because Penny is naturally good at being "uncool". People praise Maggie for her authenticity but they treat Penny like crap. Does realism have to come in a certain package for it to be appraised? Why is Maggie accepted but not Penny? Like I said, while it is a generally light book, it does have its thought-provoking moments.
Now, for the criticism. The reason I'm giving this book a B instead of an A is because it had a slow going all the way through that interefered with the narrative. Could've been tightened. Also, much as I understand Maggie, I got irritated with the way she treated people at some points in the novel. Maybe it fits the bill for what her character was supposed to be, but it did get a rile out of me.
Recommendation? Yup. It's damn funny. :)
February 25, 2011
Ugh.
You know, unless it's explicitly stated that the book I'm reading is fantasy, I like it to have some kind of grasp on reality.
This one didn't.
I got about half way through before I gave up and read the last chapter before tossing it on the pile to take to the used bookstore. The characters were unrealistic and the plot was ridiculous and shallow and none of it seemed to get any better by the end of the book.
Maybe it's me? Maybe I was expecting too much? But the idea - a girl who has spent her entire life moving from place to place and who has perfected the art of "fitting in" decides that it hurts too much to get attached and leave things over and over again. She decides to not fit in, and in doing so develops real friendships and learns some valuable lessons about herself and her peers - sounds delightful and like something I'd love to read.
That's not what I got. I got a fluff and stereotype riddled book that, once again, holds up the idea that people who are socially awkward or unattractive or unpopular are somehow morally (or otherwise) superior to people who are privileged and pretty and popular.
Y'all, I was fat and socially awkward and depressed and far from being one of the popular people in high school. I was friends with the drama geeks and the band geeks and the art kids and goths friendly with football players and runners and skaters and the AP crowd. I feel like I can say with some confidence and certainty that none of us were superior or inferior in any real way - every single person I knew (even the ones who talked shit about me) had character traits that were good and ones that were bad. I'm fucking sick of reading books that demonize kids for being different - whichever end of the spectrum they fall on.
>:(
You know, unless it's explicitly stated that the book I'm reading is fantasy, I like it to have some kind of grasp on reality.
This one didn't.
I got about half way through before I gave up and read the last chapter before tossing it on the pile to take to the used bookstore. The characters were unrealistic and the plot was ridiculous and shallow and none of it seemed to get any better by the end of the book.
Maybe it's me? Maybe I was expecting too much? But the idea - a girl who has spent her entire life moving from place to place and who has perfected the art of "fitting in" decides that it hurts too much to get attached and leave things over and over again. She decides to not fit in, and in doing so develops real friendships and learns some valuable lessons about herself and her peers - sounds delightful and like something I'd love to read.
That's not what I got. I got a fluff and stereotype riddled book that, once again, holds up the idea that people who are socially awkward or unattractive or unpopular are somehow morally (or otherwise) superior to people who are privileged and pretty and popular.
Y'all, I was fat and socially awkward and depressed and far from being one of the popular people in high school. I was friends with the drama geeks and the band geeks and the art kids and goths friendly with football players and runners and skaters and the AP crowd. I feel like I can say with some confidence and certainty that none of us were superior or inferior in any real way - every single person I knew (even the ones who talked shit about me) had character traits that were good and ones that were bad. I'm fucking sick of reading books that demonize kids for being different - whichever end of the spectrum they fall on.
>:(
June 11, 2009
I loved this book. Maggie reminded me about how tumultuous high school can be and boy, am I happy to be through those years. Yes, her story is a bit exagerated, but at the same time high school can be so full of drama. Having had the chance to experience it vicariously through daughter numer two. Glad it's over. Loved the Austin touches and Maggie's character in general. She felt real in so many ways.
November 2, 2023
This is the second time I read this book and I just love it so much! Feels like a familiar kind of storyline: starting a new school, trying to make friends etc... A lot like my life. 😅
Funny, relatable and clean!
I wish Zeigler would write more YA books...
Funny, relatable and clean!
I wish Zeigler would write more YA books...
September 22, 2013
I heard of this book through a tumblr post recommending "sunny afternoon books" and the title had grabbed my attention. I read a few negative reviews and thought "Mmmh, I do not think this is going to disturb me / I won't see it that way" and started reading. Boy, was I wrong.
People complained that this book was unrealistic, that no sane girl would try purposefully NOT to be popular, because at this age, everyone craves to be liked. I can believe it, but what I couldn't condone in this book was the main character's snobbiness.
This is a book about a girl who purposefully does everything she thinks will make her look like a loser in order to not make any friends she'll have to leave later on since her parents move a lot.
This could have worked if she had actually liked any of the stuff she wore / displayed. For example, the heroine shows up to high school with a Star Trek backpack and lunchbox set. If she had always been a Star Trek fan, but never dared talk about it with anyone for fear of getting mocked, this would've been great. But she, herself, seems to think Star Trek is completely ridiculous and thus made her seem as shallow as the traditional mean girls, whom she constantly puts down, by the way. The heroine is just as bad as them and this really ruined the book for me. At one point, she learns that her boyfriend is dating a new girl that she calls "cheap and obvious" because she likes lace and red lipstick. Um, excuse you?
At the end of the book, we learn in the author's bio that she's never been unpopular. I'll say! The unpopular kids that the MC eventually befriends and starts to love are unbelievably cliché. It's like she's never met any of these people.
Another thing that annoyed me : the MC was trying to get unpopular as I've said, but still manages to be a cute guy magnet. Uh-uh. And worst, once, she meets a classmate in front of a cinema and they end up watching the movie together. She realises he's starting to like him, so in order to make him not like him, she flashes him her knickers (by accident). Then, she's all "YAY! No boy would ever like me after this.". Ummm... Unless those knickers sported Nicolas Cage's face on them, I doubt that would make any horny teenage male run away in the other direction, darling. This book just REEKED of special snowflake and "oops, I'm accidentally seductive and likeable" and it was just SO ANNOYING.
The only good thing about the book was Jack, who felt quite real (more so than the main character).
So, no. I don't "rully" recommend this book to anyone.
People complained that this book was unrealistic, that no sane girl would try purposefully NOT to be popular, because at this age, everyone craves to be liked. I can believe it, but what I couldn't condone in this book was the main character's snobbiness.
This is a book about a girl who purposefully does everything she thinks will make her look like a loser in order to not make any friends she'll have to leave later on since her parents move a lot.
This could have worked if she had actually liked any of the stuff she wore / displayed. For example, the heroine shows up to high school with a Star Trek backpack and lunchbox set. If she had always been a Star Trek fan, but never dared talk about it with anyone for fear of getting mocked, this would've been great. But she, herself, seems to think Star Trek is completely ridiculous and thus made her seem as shallow as the traditional mean girls, whom she constantly puts down, by the way. The heroine is just as bad as them and this really ruined the book for me. At one point, she learns that her boyfriend is dating a new girl that she calls "cheap and obvious" because she likes lace and red lipstick. Um, excuse you?
At the end of the book, we learn in the author's bio that she's never been unpopular. I'll say! The unpopular kids that the MC eventually befriends and starts to love are unbelievably cliché. It's like she's never met any of these people.
Another thing that annoyed me : the MC was trying to get unpopular as I've said, but still manages to be a cute guy magnet. Uh-uh. And worst, once, she meets a classmate in front of a cinema and they end up watching the movie together. She realises he's starting to like him, so in order to make him not like him, she flashes him her knickers (by accident). Then, she's all "YAY! No boy would ever like me after this.". Ummm... Unless those knickers sported Nicolas Cage's face on them, I doubt that would make any horny teenage male run away in the other direction, darling. This book just REEKED of special snowflake and "oops, I'm accidentally seductive and likeable" and it was just SO ANNOYING.
The only good thing about the book was Jack, who felt quite real (more so than the main character).
So, no. I don't "rully" recommend this book to anyone.
April 1, 2009
The story centers on Maggie (Sugar Magnolia by birth), who is the daughter of hippies that don't stay in one place too long. Her parents are free spirits and every time she moves, she always loses friends, and sometimes boyfriends. It picks up when they are moving to Austin, Texas. Maggie has a boyfriend, but not long after they have gone, he sends her a text saying he can't do the whole long distance thing. So Maggie hatches a plan to not let herself get attached in Austin, since she knows they will probably be leaving in three months or so. She decides the best way to do this is to make herself unpopular. Sure enough things don't go as planned, and she finds herself becoming a notorious trendsetter. I was a little disappointed by the climax and the ending. There was so much build-up and attention paid to all the things she does to make herself unpopular, but the ending kind of went really fast and it felt a little blunt. Overall though, it was humorous and touching, and many of the characters were very likeable.
December 23, 2019
Summary: Maggie is in her senior year of high school, and her hippie parents are moving the family. Again. It hurts too much to say goodbye, so what would happen if in their new town, she tried to not make friends?
Review: I probably should have stopped reading this after 50 pages because it didn't work for me.
For example:
* Too much internal dialogue. It’s boring to me when the main character just comes out and tells you her emotions all the time.
Review: I probably should have stopped reading this after 50 pages because it didn't work for me.
For example:
* Too much internal dialogue. It’s boring to me when the main character just comes out and tells you her emotions all the time.
May 6, 2014
This is one of those 'Why-the-heck-did-you-buy-that?!' kind of book.
The answer is: I don't know.. I really don't. All I know is that I wasted my money on it. It just sounds so fun, you know. I'm really looking for a laugh-out-loud kind of read since what I've been reading lately is making me sad or depressed. But I didn't get the 'fun' or 'laughs' on this one.
I can't even type this without yawning.
September 24, 2008
I anticipated giving this a four stars, but the last quarter of the book was not as strong as the first part. Cute and funny, though.
April 17, 2015
Haahahhha' so goood!
January 17, 2013
It was amazing! Her and all her little antics in not wanting to be popular just made me smile throughout. Her and Jack (the goody two-shoes) were great together and even though she messed up she made the right decision in the end and didn't become who she and others thought she was.
Later review:
If you do not know already this book is a favorite of mine so expect a glowing review. I just hope I can be able to do this book a fraction of justice with this review. I don't know if Barnes and Noble hates me or loves me. They are either cruel and decisive (that's probably their approach) or sweet and wonderful. Late one night I was looking up books on Barnes and Noble. I don't know how I came to this one but it sounded interesting and I love the cover so much I've been itching to draw it since I first saw it. This is where I am skeptical of Barnes and Noble's true motives. I know it's to buy their books but I didn't think they could be so calculated. I started reading the preview that just kept on going on and on and on. That preview was like half the book. You can't just give me that much preview and expect me to not beg my mother to go the next day, scrounge for the book, and then buy and fall even more in love with the book than I had by that point. I did all of this and it was one of the greatest decisions in my life.
Maggie. God I love this girl! Her now ex-boyfriend couldn't do the distance thing so that was that. She's heartbroken and frankly pissed at her parents and their nomad life. The last place they were at was one where she actually got a boyfriend. She's always had to leave friends behind but this is different. This is the last straw and like the evil genius she is she decides that she will not put herself through that. She will make sure she becomes so unpopular that no one would want to hang out with her so she doesn't have to deal with another heartbreak. So begins the story of one of my favorite books of all time.
Maggie's plan mainly consists of dressing like she has no sense of what to wear what so ever, hanging out with the one person that no one would dare sit next to, and joining a club where only the supremely dorky would be caught there. Maggie is a fantastic main character. She's hilarious. I loved all her outfits. She has such a great teenage voice that I think a lot of people will love her (if they don't already). She makes some mistakes. She tried her hardest to keep her pain inside caused by her parents but that eventually explodes in one of the most memorable scenes ever. Maggie (her name is really Sugar Magnolia which is the cutest name ever) is a really great person. She says how before she would try to hang around the popular crowd and I am thinking "Why on Earth would you do that?" You are such a good person. How can you have ever wanted to hang out with the fake people of the world? Well she does act fake but her personality shines through anyways. She stands up for the people she cares for. She's strong and vulnerable and wonderful. But without a certain someone this book would be lacking in a major way. Without this one person it might not be a favorite. Who am I kidding Maggie alone sells the story but still. She has a love interest. One of the greatest love interests I have ever met...
Jack. I get all giddy just typing in his name. First of all I have always loved the name Jack. I don't know how the author knew that but apparently she did. Jack is a goody two shoes. I know. I know. Why would I be obsessed with a goody two shoes? Because it's not any goody two shoes. It's Jack. Jack's a gentleman. Jack's a sweetheart. When I think of him smiling at me my heart melts. You would think I would fall in love with a bad boy with all of them around or just someone who's sarcastic but has a little romantic side to him. I didn't expect it either. Jack is the one. He is my top fictional character boyfriend. That sounds so stupid but if others can say it I can say it too. If Jack simply just looked at me my face would go instantly red in the most embarrassing way and I would be breathless and giggly and act like the girl I am. It's just... He's Jack. He's perfection. "Why can't you be real!!!???," she cries in desperation...
I can't anymore with Jack. I'm going to do a happy squeal and it just won't work because I'm at school and other people will hear me. So... on to the parents. Her parents are hippies. They are carefree and actually also really nice people (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree). They just have never listened or paid attention much to the internal anguish Maggie is feeling. She tried to hide it but throughout the story you see them catching on so I give them props for that. I couldn't really say anything bad about them. They were very loving parents although if I were them I would use discretion when walking around the house in the nude (just her mom once thank you very much) and going to her school doing exercises that should be banned to do in public for all parents or potential parents or anyone really. They were very good people with a different way of life that I enjoyed reading about.
Maggie did make some friends whether she wanted to or not. She sat with Penny, a social outcast who talks way too much about her allergies and just weird things... She's this weird person who accepts Maggie no matter how she acts or looks. I don't know how else to describe her... She's a character alright. Maggie's constantly running into her. At the gym where she discovers water aerobics taken by her, Penny, and some old ladies as well as a group that Penny introduces her to. It's an environment group where she meets this eclectic and dorky cast of characters. There's the tough one, the dorky twins, and some others... They create an unlikely bond. They aren't too much together where individually Maggie and one of them get to talking and you see a real connection but to the group she has a bond. Their her friends. Exactly what she didn't want.
As you progress in the story towards the end all the pain inside Maggie ruptures. Rereading it I didn't realize how sad it was. I feel like if I was a cliche I would have had a tub of ice cream while reading the book towards the end. Maggie could have really used that ice cream. You need a happy book after that end. Well, at least with me because I'm a little over dramatic with books. So I loved this book. It's one of my favorites. I plan on continuing to love it, Maggie, and especially *swoons* Jack for the rest of my life. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
Later review:
If you do not know already this book is a favorite of mine so expect a glowing review. I just hope I can be able to do this book a fraction of justice with this review. I don't know if Barnes and Noble hates me or loves me. They are either cruel and decisive (that's probably their approach) or sweet and wonderful. Late one night I was looking up books on Barnes and Noble. I don't know how I came to this one but it sounded interesting and I love the cover so much I've been itching to draw it since I first saw it. This is where I am skeptical of Barnes and Noble's true motives. I know it's to buy their books but I didn't think they could be so calculated. I started reading the preview that just kept on going on and on and on. That preview was like half the book. You can't just give me that much preview and expect me to not beg my mother to go the next day, scrounge for the book, and then buy and fall even more in love with the book than I had by that point. I did all of this and it was one of the greatest decisions in my life.
Maggie. God I love this girl! Her now ex-boyfriend couldn't do the distance thing so that was that. She's heartbroken and frankly pissed at her parents and their nomad life. The last place they were at was one where she actually got a boyfriend. She's always had to leave friends behind but this is different. This is the last straw and like the evil genius she is she decides that she will not put herself through that. She will make sure she becomes so unpopular that no one would want to hang out with her so she doesn't have to deal with another heartbreak. So begins the story of one of my favorite books of all time.
Maggie's plan mainly consists of dressing like she has no sense of what to wear what so ever, hanging out with the one person that no one would dare sit next to, and joining a club where only the supremely dorky would be caught there. Maggie is a fantastic main character. She's hilarious. I loved all her outfits. She has such a great teenage voice that I think a lot of people will love her (if they don't already). She makes some mistakes. She tried her hardest to keep her pain inside caused by her parents but that eventually explodes in one of the most memorable scenes ever. Maggie (her name is really Sugar Magnolia which is the cutest name ever) is a really great person. She says how before she would try to hang around the popular crowd and I am thinking "Why on Earth would you do that?" You are such a good person. How can you have ever wanted to hang out with the fake people of the world? Well she does act fake but her personality shines through anyways. She stands up for the people she cares for. She's strong and vulnerable and wonderful. But without a certain someone this book would be lacking in a major way. Without this one person it might not be a favorite. Who am I kidding Maggie alone sells the story but still. She has a love interest. One of the greatest love interests I have ever met...
Jack. I get all giddy just typing in his name. First of all I have always loved the name Jack. I don't know how the author knew that but apparently she did. Jack is a goody two shoes. I know. I know. Why would I be obsessed with a goody two shoes? Because it's not any goody two shoes. It's Jack. Jack's a gentleman. Jack's a sweetheart. When I think of him smiling at me my heart melts. You would think I would fall in love with a bad boy with all of them around or just someone who's sarcastic but has a little romantic side to him. I didn't expect it either. Jack is the one. He is my top fictional character boyfriend. That sounds so stupid but if others can say it I can say it too. If Jack simply just looked at me my face would go instantly red in the most embarrassing way and I would be breathless and giggly and act like the girl I am. It's just... He's Jack. He's perfection. "Why can't you be real!!!???," she cries in desperation...
I can't anymore with Jack. I'm going to do a happy squeal and it just won't work because I'm at school and other people will hear me. So... on to the parents. Her parents are hippies. They are carefree and actually also really nice people (the apple doesn't fall far from the tree). They just have never listened or paid attention much to the internal anguish Maggie is feeling. She tried to hide it but throughout the story you see them catching on so I give them props for that. I couldn't really say anything bad about them. They were very loving parents although if I were them I would use discretion when walking around the house in the nude (just her mom once thank you very much) and going to her school doing exercises that should be banned to do in public for all parents or potential parents or anyone really. They were very good people with a different way of life that I enjoyed reading about.
Maggie did make some friends whether she wanted to or not. She sat with Penny, a social outcast who talks way too much about her allergies and just weird things... She's this weird person who accepts Maggie no matter how she acts or looks. I don't know how else to describe her... She's a character alright. Maggie's constantly running into her. At the gym where she discovers water aerobics taken by her, Penny, and some old ladies as well as a group that Penny introduces her to. It's an environment group where she meets this eclectic and dorky cast of characters. There's the tough one, the dorky twins, and some others... They create an unlikely bond. They aren't too much together where individually Maggie and one of them get to talking and you see a real connection but to the group she has a bond. Their her friends. Exactly what she didn't want.
As you progress in the story towards the end all the pain inside Maggie ruptures. Rereading it I didn't realize how sad it was. I feel like if I was a cliche I would have had a tub of ice cream while reading the book towards the end. Maggie could have really used that ice cream. You need a happy book after that end. Well, at least with me because I'm a little over dramatic with books. So I loved this book. It's one of my favorites. I plan on continuing to love it, Maggie, and especially *swoons* Jack for the rest of my life. Do yourself a favor and read this book.
June 2, 2017
She did what?!?!
This review will be short.
This book was pretty epic I think in some ways. There were things I loved and things I absolutely could not stand!
I loved the whole idea of the book. It was hilarious! Trying to be unpopular and doing outrages things to achieve it. It was so different from the other high school books I've read! I had to keep reading just to find out what crazy thing she'd do next!
I liked the idea of the little romance in the book, not the Trevor part. Her pining over her ex was extrememly annoying but hey girls first love of course that's how she's going to be. But later in the book her next romantic interest felt a bit well flat. Something was just missing from it for me.
My favorite character was Penny all the other characters were kind of flat. I mean her parents were hilarious but I don't think they exsist anywhere. And the ending well it was rushed and I should have seen it coming if I wasn't being distracted by all the mechanical jumpsuits and whatnot. So I finished it slightly disappointed but still happy.
It's a nice read for a laugh :) and the craziness really makes up for all the other parts it's lacking in so just go read it!
This review will be short.
This book was pretty epic I think in some ways. There were things I loved and things I absolutely could not stand!
I loved the whole idea of the book. It was hilarious! Trying to be unpopular and doing outrages things to achieve it. It was so different from the other high school books I've read! I had to keep reading just to find out what crazy thing she'd do next!
I liked the idea of the little romance in the book, not the Trevor part. Her pining over her ex was extrememly annoying but hey girls first love of course that's how she's going to be. But later in the book her next romantic interest felt a bit well flat. Something was just missing from it for me.
My favorite character was Penny all the other characters were kind of flat. I mean her parents were hilarious but I don't think they exsist anywhere. And the ending well it was rushed and I should have seen it coming if I wasn't being distracted by all the mechanical jumpsuits and whatnot. So I finished it slightly disappointed but still happy.
It's a nice read for a laugh :) and the craziness really makes up for all the other parts it's lacking in so just go read it!
January 7, 2019
Sugar Magnolia Dempsey (Maggie) hates moving around the country with her hippie parents. They just don’t understand that she makes friends where they live and this time she got a boyfriend. A perfect boyfriend. She doesn’t want to leave but she has to, they are going to try long distance but after a few weeks, he breaks it off. Maggie is heartbroken and this time around she is determined to not make friends so she doesn’t have to go through the heartbreak the next time they move. She plan is to dress weird and not make friends. Her plan isn’t going quite as planned. How can she turn it around and still not make friends?
I enjoyed this book because it was entertaining and real. She tries really hard to not make friends but she ends up standing out more. She realizes that she just needs to be herself and stop being someone she thinks she needs to be.
I enjoyed this book because it was entertaining and real. She tries really hard to not make friends but she ends up standing out more. She realizes that she just needs to be herself and stop being someone she thinks she needs to be.
April 30, 2008
Maggie Dempsey is a pro at fitting in. That’s because she never stays in one place for more than eight months. And that’s because her parents are all about “going somewhere.” They don’t see it as “leaving,” unlike Maggie, who’s had to leave behind a best friend and a boyfriend in Portland, Oregon. Maggie is tired of being hurt, so she comes up with Operation Avoid Friends: she’s going to be unpopular.
This is harder than it sounds. Maggie has to come up with ridiculous schemes in order to seem like a complete freak that no one should hang out with. But the hottest guy at the school won’t leave her alone. Maggie is starting to form friendships with members of the Helping Hands club. And people start to copy her elaborate and crazy costumes that she wears to school. It’s almost seems that Maggie is…popular.
I thought that How Not to be Popular was one of the best and most refreshing books I’ve read in a while. Maggie’s character is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and so are her parents. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Maggie’s story and her struggles between wanting to have the easy way out and being herself. The plot was easy to follow and fun to read, although some parts of the story were more emotional. I highly recommend this book for teens, and I hope Jennifer Ziegler writes more fabulous novels like this one.
reposted from
This is harder than it sounds. Maggie has to come up with ridiculous schemes in order to seem like a complete freak that no one should hang out with. But the hottest guy at the school won’t leave her alone. Maggie is starting to form friendships with members of the Helping Hands club. And people start to copy her elaborate and crazy costumes that she wears to school. It’s almost seems that Maggie is…popular.
I thought that How Not to be Popular was one of the best and most refreshing books I’ve read in a while. Maggie’s character is laugh-out-loud hilarious, and so are her parents. I thoroughly enjoyed reading Maggie’s story and her struggles between wanting to have the easy way out and being herself. The plot was easy to follow and fun to read, although some parts of the story were more emotional. I highly recommend this book for teens, and I hope Jennifer Ziegler writes more fabulous novels like this one.
reposted from
Read
May 21, 2013I'm currrently reading "How Not to Be Popular". This book is about a teenage girl who keeeps moving all around the country and now she has landed in Austin, TX. The big thing in this book is that, since she moves around so much, she's just going to not make any friends in Austin because she knows she's just going to move again. This book is very fast-paced because at every turn, there a friendly girl, a hot boy, and her parents doing something insane. Maggie has come to hating her parents because they don't understand Maggie's feelings about moving around, but deep inside her heart, she knows she loves them alot. My favorite character is Jack, a boy that, no matter how hard she resists cannot resist.Is it his republican smile or his broad shoulders? I haven't read enough of this book to know what the theme is yet, but I'm looking forward to. This book is great so far.
November 1, 2012
“How Not to Be Popular” was a phenomenal book. It’s the story of a girl whose parents don’t like to settle down a lot and for that they don’t stay in one place very long. This time, she’s decided to not fit in so she doesn't feel bad leaving people behind. I liked the humor that the author brought to this book, from her parent’s zany actions to the outfits she wears to try and not fit in. The ending was a rather large twist; something I didn't see coming. I liked the view this story was written in too. The girl, Maggie Dempsey, is very easy to relate to also, which I think anyone could find interesting. I would recommend this more to women because of the point of view and to teens and up because there are parts that are too mature for younger audiences.
July 16, 2012
This book is great entertanment, and it's really funny. It always made me happy for a strange reason. It's a great book about this girl Maggie who always has to leave schools/town/etc because her parents travel a lot. So she always leaves good friends behind, and this time she also leaves a boyfriend behind. So she comes up with a plan to have no friends in the next town she goes to, so when she leaves it wont be hard for her. But then she ends up liking a couple of people....
One of my favorite books :D
One of my favorite books :D
May 15, 2012
Two or three stars, three or two? Hmm.
This book actually annoyed me more than anything because Maggie is such a snobby bitch throughout most of it....but since the point is that she changes, I guess she kinda had to be...? Right? It's just hard finding any sympathy with her because she's just slightly intolerable. And that romantic ending? Really? What a letdown.
Screw it, two stars it is. I really had higher hopes for this one. Oh well.
This book actually annoyed me more than anything because Maggie is such a snobby bitch throughout most of it....but since the point is that she changes, I guess she kinda had to be...? Right? It's just hard finding any sympathy with her because she's just slightly intolerable. And that romantic ending? Really? What a letdown.
Screw it, two stars it is. I really had higher hopes for this one. Oh well.
November 12, 2008
i liked it!!! there are sooo many books about girls who will do anything to popular, but theres barely any about those who strive not to be. I think Maggie made some really bad mistakes in here but thats what makes it interesting. Sometimes its a little weird but i garentee youll love it anyway. :) i totally think everybody should read this book. Everyone would absolutly love it. :)
February 8, 2009
This book is really funny and entertaining. I thought the girl (Maggie) was a bit mean, even in the beginning when she thinks that she can't possibly ever think of dorks as freinds. Also Maggie did not do a good job in not being popular. She could've tried to be standoffish and blend in to become invisible. That would keep her from getting freinds.
Its a fun read but not a must read.
Its a fun read but not a must read.
October 15, 2014
This book was really interesting the first girly- girl book i pick up by my self one day having no interest in the books in the library.
I give it 3.5 stars wasn`t the best book in the world but its interesting, this book is more as a girl book so boys don`t pick it up and read it, its going to kill some more brain cells of all of you trying to read it.
I give it 3.5 stars wasn`t the best book in the world but its interesting, this book is more as a girl book so boys don`t pick it up and read it, its going to kill some more brain cells of all of you trying to read it.
September 20, 2013
This was a sweet young adult book, with Sugar Magnolia Dempsey as main character, daughter of hippie parents which don't get tied down to one place. The thoughts going inside Magnolia a.k.a Maggie's mind are hilarious!
"How Not to Be Popular" was funny and enjoyable. Nothing much, but the light reading that I needed.
"How Not to Be Popular" was funny and enjoyable. Nothing much, but the light reading that I needed.
September 17, 2013
I felt this book was an overall good read. Maggie the protagonist of the story is tired of moving around all the time. So she vows to not make friends at her new school because she will be leaving soon anyway. I found this story heartwarming and funny, with real life teen issues being tackled such as bullying and fitting in.
May 5, 2008
Super cute and too, too funny!
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