One of my friends let me borrow this spectacular memoir by Maya van Wagenen, who was reeeeeaaally young when she wrote it! Like 15 or something. Anyways, it's about her doing a social experiment of sorts. The summer before eighth grade she finds the book Betty Cornell's Teenage Popularity Guide. Written in the 1950's by a teen model, she gives tips on becoming more socially acceptable and things like that. Though some of it is out-dated and you'll hardly find a 14 year old girl wearing a girdle, straw hat and pearl necklace at the same time anymore, Ms. Cornell also gives tips on simple dieting, tasteful makeup and how to talk to people around you. Maya decides to dedicate each month of eighth grade to a chapter of her book. The response she gets at first is not what she wanted, but she powers through, and at the end, her results are amazing!
I hear you thinking. Being popular is overrated! They are all terrible people! She's fine just how she is! But in this book, Maya learns very valuable lessons and shows some serious gutsiness. I would never have been able to do what she did. And it really worked for her. Following the book pushed Maya out of her shell and her school's atmosphere was enormously improved by her, just one person! I also really loved the fact that the "vintage wisdom" is still mostly applicable today.
I'd recommend this for any teen girl, popular or shy, rich or poor. It was a great eye opener on how you don't have to look like a paper doll to make friends. If you read it, please let me know what you thought of it!
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