Popular: a Memoir

Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek

By Maya Van Wagenen

Created by Sydney Stockton

LS 5623

TWU Library Science

A true story

Maya is about to start her eighth grade year at the bottom of the social ladder. After receiving a book written by 1950's model Betty Cornell, Maya decides to follow the archaic advice for popularity to see if it applies in today's world. Follow as Maya chronicles her social experiment in popularity.

"Popularity is more than looks. It’s not clothes, hair, or even possessions. When we let go of these labels, we see how flimsy and relative they actually are. I wanted popularity; I wanted other people to like me. But it turns out most people are wanting to be discovered too.” - Maya Van Wagenen

Related Reads

zoom_out_map

Little Women

This is a fascinating story of four sisters living in New England and coming to terms with their own identities.

zoom_out_map

The Fold

A high school junior who is always compared to her beautiful and talented older sister wants to attract the attention of someone. Her aunt offers to buy her plastic surgery. What should she do?

zoom_out_map

Divergent

In a future Chicago, Beatrice must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life. What will she do when she realizes that she doesn't fit in just one group?