In seventeen years, Sugar Magnolia (call her Maggie) Dempsey hasn't lived anywhere for longer than eight months. Her parents are hippies who believe that people aren't meant to stay in one place, and that "Life is short, so why not see as much as possible?" Nice thoughts, and up until recently, their way of life hadn't bothered her. Until, that is, they decided to leave Portland, Oregon, where Maggie had a boyfriend -- and until said boyfriend dumped her via text message before she'd even reached her new home in Austin.
She's about to start school (at her tenth high school), and she's figured out a plan: rather than make friends, only to have to leave them again, she's going to NOT make friends. So Maggie sets out to be a loser.
How NOT to be Popular is basically a teen movie in book format: Girl comes up with plan, doesn't think about the inherent cruelty of said plan, ends up liking the people she's using, is wrecked when they are angry. A mean cheerleader figures in. Nothing new, but it's entertaining and funny.
I loved her parents (and their car!), though they didn't really feel like real people. Actually, quite a few of the characters in the book were just that -- characters. Penny was the one I liked the most and was the most curious about, but I never felt like I got to know her*.
Due to the gorgeous cover (love the colors) and good copy on the back, I suspect that YAs will pick this one up without any outside encouragement. The book's design looks much more like an adult book than a teen novel -- I wonder if the YA will eventually splinter into older and younger YA. Or maybe I'm just thinking too much again.
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*That's not a flaw -- it makes sense within the story line.
"How NOT to be Popular is basically a teen movie in book format: "
Yeah, but see, this is what bothers me about 90% of the books I'm reading these days. I get very disgruntled when I read something where it's CLEAR the author is writing with the movie/Disney Channel special in mind. Never mind using any sort of technique* or thematic skill. Just write lots of dialogue, describe the characters well enough so the casting agents know exactly which actors you were picturing in the roles, and dream about the red carpet premiere.
I can handle "Nothing new but it's entertaining and funny" but I'm personally tired of reading books missing everything but a page that says, "See what a great movie this would make and I think that Hannah Montana girl would be great as Chelsea/Whitney/Simone."
This is me getting all grrr and fist shaky. I'd like to enjoy reading a book again at some point and not a pre-novelization. Thus endeth the complaints.
*=I haven't read this book so I can't comment on whether the author uses technique or possesses any sort of writing skills but the "book as movie" label will make me run screaming from it.
Posted by: Brian F. | 22 January 2008 at 10:25 AM
TOTALLY FAIR.
As I have also noticed the trend, I was irritated by that aspect of the book. It is very much a book where you think about the casting. But I didn't want to go into a separate rant in the middle of my write up*, and I'm sure that there are plenty of people who will like the book and who won't be bothered by it.
*Thanks for doing it for me!
Posted by: Leila | 22 January 2008 at 12:58 PM
I just got a copy of this one and I can't wait to start reading it. I really like the premise. :)
Posted by: Em | 03 February 2008 at 02:10 AM