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heathercottledillon's review
4.0
This is such a cute, fun book! It's got quite a bit of teen angst and drama and a few moments of cheesiness, but overall it conveys a good message without being too preachy. All the more impressive considering that the author wrote this at age 13 or 14--she's one to watch.
txpamcakers's review
4.0
cute concept and perspective- almost 4 stars
edited my rating after my 12 year old daughter finished the book in record time and really enjoyed it
that alone gives it the 4th star for me :)
edited my rating after my 12 year old daughter finished the book in record time and really enjoyed it
that alone gives it the 4th star for me :)
reader4evr's review
5.0
OMG what a cute book! I sped through this because it was enjoyable, sweet and funny. I probably could have finished it last night but I was super tired.
Maya is a super likeable girl and I was rooting for her throughout the whole book. I wonder what the people she went to school with thought about this whole experiment after they heard or read her book.
This is a must read for middle and high school girls. If every girl would think the way she does middle & high schools wouldn't be so traumatizing to girls.
Maya is a super likeable girl and I was rooting for her throughout the whole book. I wonder what the people she went to school with thought about this whole experiment after they heard or read her book.
This is a must read for middle and high school girls. If every girl would think the way she does middle & high schools wouldn't be so traumatizing to girls.
annashiv's review
5.0
Such a great book. It makes me want to be a better person. I really wish I could have read this in Junior high or even High school. I think this books is great and I could relate to a lot of things she went through. I recommend this to every shy girl, especially those still in school. Absolutely worth reading.
mehsi's review against another edition
5.0
Just a very short review to express my thoughts.
This book was really interesting, I like the idea of someone following a teen guide from the 50s (By the way, I also bought that book to accompany this one.), however at times it was a bit too much. She did everything to the letter and at times that annoyed me. I can imagine you would follow the advice and the tips, maybe follow some other stuff, but even do the clothing? While you are clearly not comfortable in them? Sorry, I wouldn't call that dedication, I would call that obsession. And it looked just a bit too silly. A 13 (or whatever age she was) year old dressing up like a grandma.
I liked the photographs in the book and also the information about her family and where she lived. She talked about the bad things happening in her street or her neighbourhood. Things like drugs or fights and other things. I really loved that this was added as this give me more insight and it made the story more realistic. I think it if it was only about her following a guide to the letter, that I would have been bored pretty soon. Now I could see why she did the plan, and I could also cheer for her at times.
It was interesting when she went to ask about popularity, how even the popular kids didn't really think they were popular.
All in all, this is a book I would really recommend to everyone. Be sure to also get the guide that Maya is basing it on. I only read a bit of that one (since I got so much other stuff to read), but what I saw it is really great and it gives some more depth to this book.
Review first posted at: http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
This book was really interesting, I like the idea of someone following a teen guide from the 50s (By the way, I also bought that book to accompany this one.), however at times it was a bit too much. She did everything to the letter and at times that annoyed me. I can imagine you would follow the advice and the tips, maybe follow some other stuff, but even do the clothing? While you are clearly not comfortable in them? Sorry, I wouldn't call that dedication, I would call that obsession. And it looked just a bit too silly. A 13 (or whatever age she was) year old dressing up like a grandma.
I liked the photographs in the book and also the information about her family and where she lived. She talked about the bad things happening in her street or her neighbourhood. Things like drugs or fights and other things. I really loved that this was added as this give me more insight and it made the story more realistic. I think it if it was only about her following a guide to the letter, that I would have been bored pretty soon. Now I could see why she did the plan, and I could also cheer for her at times.
It was interesting when she went to ask about popularity, how even the popular kids didn't really think they were popular.
All in all, this is a book I would really recommend to everyone. Be sure to also get the guide that Maya is basing it on. I only read a bit of that one (since I got so much other stuff to read), but what I saw it is really great and it gives some more depth to this book.
Review first posted at: http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
katykelly's review
5.0
Maya would have been my heroine at thirteen. I'm still socially awkward now, but have grown up to cope adequately with new people (though I avoid may social settings where I'd be uncomfortable). What every school needs is a Maya.
This is no-fiction, if you're wondering. A diary of teenager Maya's life. But not an ode to 'why haven't I got a boyfriend?'. This is her warts-and-all portrait of herself and her efforts to become more popular through one school year in middle school.
It impressed me from the cover that Maya is the youngest ever (non-actor) to be offered a film deal with large studio Dreamworks, and the writing inside impressed me more still. Maya writes with maturity, humour and insight. She goes on a quest to improve herself, to improve her social standing, and ends up improving her own self-knowledge, self-worth, and self-confidence. It's a moving transformation and one I smiled and warmed at.
The remarkable thing about the book (apart from Maya's tender age) is that Maya gets her inspiration to begin this journey from a fifty year old Guide to Popularity, written by a teen model of the 50s, Betty Cornell. Following her guidance on clothes, makeup, poise and eventually moving on to extending her social group by talking to those outside her usual circle, Maya gradually blossoms through her writing into a strong-minded and passionate young woman.
I loved this. Really, truly loved this. If only I could have been there to see this teenager fly in the face on convention and wear pearls, dare to sit with the Popular kids, talk to strangers everywhere she went.
Strictly Ballroom has always been one of my favourite films, and I hope Maya wouldn't mind this comparison. She includes photos of herself throughout, bravely. And from the start, it is obvious she is attractive but low in confidence. Like Fran, she has to push herself on others to get what she wants, like Fran she takes risks with her appearance and approaches the unapproachable. And even if her Scott doesn't appear (though at 13, that would be a miracle), she's both a swan inside and out, and a real role model herself.
I felt quite emotional when she contacted Betty Cornell herself, and have so much admiration for this young girl who stuck her neck out (with her loving family's support) and dared to do more than most teenagers I've ever met. Especially in America, the land of the Clique. And in her town too, so vivid here, with regular random drugs raids, teenage pregnancy and social deprivation.
A joy to read, one I will watch as a film, and one I want desperately to put on the UK National Curriculum for secondary school already!
This is no-fiction, if you're wondering. A diary of teenager Maya's life. But not an ode to 'why haven't I got a boyfriend?'. This is her warts-and-all portrait of herself and her efforts to become more popular through one school year in middle school.
It impressed me from the cover that Maya is the youngest ever (non-actor) to be offered a film deal with large studio Dreamworks, and the writing inside impressed me more still. Maya writes with maturity, humour and insight. She goes on a quest to improve herself, to improve her social standing, and ends up improving her own self-knowledge, self-worth, and self-confidence. It's a moving transformation and one I smiled and warmed at.
The remarkable thing about the book (apart from Maya's tender age) is that Maya gets her inspiration to begin this journey from a fifty year old Guide to Popularity, written by a teen model of the 50s, Betty Cornell. Following her guidance on clothes, makeup, poise and eventually moving on to extending her social group by talking to those outside her usual circle, Maya gradually blossoms through her writing into a strong-minded and passionate young woman.
I loved this. Really, truly loved this. If only I could have been there to see this teenager fly in the face on convention and wear pearls, dare to sit with the Popular kids, talk to strangers everywhere she went.
Strictly Ballroom has always been one of my favourite films, and I hope Maya wouldn't mind this comparison. She includes photos of herself throughout, bravely. And from the start, it is obvious she is attractive but low in confidence. Like Fran, she has to push herself on others to get what she wants, like Fran she takes risks with her appearance and approaches the unapproachable. And even if her Scott doesn't appear (though at 13, that would be a miracle), she's both a swan inside and out, and a real role model herself.
I felt quite emotional when she contacted Betty Cornell herself, and have so much admiration for this young girl who stuck her neck out (with her loving family's support) and dared to do more than most teenagers I've ever met. Especially in America, the land of the Clique. And in her town too, so vivid here, with regular random drugs raids, teenage pregnancy and social deprivation.
A joy to read, one I will watch as a film, and one I want desperately to put on the UK National Curriculum for secondary school already!
realgilmoregirl's review
5.0
Hard to believe Maya is only 15. Loved this book. My daughter just started middle school and I'm going to have her read it. I read it very quickly over the course of a Saturday afternoon when it was too hot to do anything but stay inside. So glad I did. Terrific and memorable read.
isabella1018's review
2.0
I added this book in 2015 to my shelves and I feel like I had different expectations for it. It’s a memoir which I didn’t know. I feel like it tried to do too much and a lot was going on. I liked the overall message but certain parts bugged me.
ameliabiblio's review against another edition
5.0
This book has completely changed my life. I was never a social outcast or one of the lowest of the low, but I've never been anywhere near popular. Or at least, I don't think I have. This book has inspired me to try to be more outgoing. I've always strived to be nice to others; I hate it when anybody is rude or just outright mean to other people. There's just no point. But I've also always been shy, and I've never tried hard to meet new people. So, now I am going to try. Thank you for writing this book, Maya. You are truly an amazing person and I cannot wait to read all of your other works that will surely be as amazing, if not more amazing, than this one.