Ziegler, Jennifer. How not to be popular, a novel

Kliatt, Jan, 2008 by Ashleigh Larsen

ZIEGLER, Jennifer. How not to be popular, a novel. Random House, Delacorte. 339p. c2008. 978-0-385-90463-6. $15.99. JS

Sugar Magnolia Dempsey (Maggie for short) is moving for the tenth time since high school started because her carefree, hippie parents think that moving gives them better karma. Usually Maggie makes friends with the popular crowd when she moves to a new place, but this time, she creates a unique plan to not be popular so that it won't hurt as much when they move again. She dresses in crazy Halloween-like outfits and tries to be eccentric and weird so that no one will want to be friends with her. Through creatively humorous scenarios, Maggie's plan is put into action, but she doesn't predict that she will end up with more faithful friends then she has ever known. People start to follow her purposely awful fashion trends and quirky lifestyle because they think she is "real," which becomes the new "cool" at her high school. When Maggie realizes her popularity, she disowns her friends to stick to her plan. In a clever twist, Maggie learns that her parents have decided not to move again. The book ends with Maggie working hard to right the wrongs. While it's a positive and touching ending, Maggie does not get the "easy way out" or the happy-ever-after ending. Her character adds a witty, fresh perspective to the YA literature scene. Ashleigh Larsen, Teaching Assistant, English, Gordon College, Wenham, MA