How NOT to Be Popular
by Jennifer Ziegler

Paradox (par'-uh-docs) noun — a statement or situation that seems to go against commonly accepted opinion but that may, nonetheless, hold truth.

Tips for being not popular:

• Unpopularity is a state of mind. Feel nerdy. Think uncool thoughts. It also helps to use the word “vaginal” a lot.
• To be unpopular, you must look the part. Remember four words: “plastic flowered swim cap.”
• Revel in grossness. Leave food in your teeth. Proudly display feminine hygiene products.
• Never let them see you be cool—even outside of school. In case of emergency, flash your undies.
• You must worship all that is totally and tragically unhip. Disco is not dead.
  

Maggie Dempsey is tired of moving all
over the country.

Her parents are blowin’-in-the-wind hippies who uproot her every few months to go to a new city. When Maggie was younger, she thought their life was fun and adventurous. Now that she’s a teenager, she hates it.

Each time she moved, she left behind good friends, a great school, and a real feeling of belonging. But this last time she moved it was even worse: she left behind a boyfriend, too.

Now that they’re moving to Austin, Texas, Maggie knows better. She’s not going to make friends. She’s not going to fit in. And she’s definitely not going to fall for the alpha hottie who won’t leave her alone—no matter how gorgeous he is.

Instead, she will dress like a mental patient, in muumuus and flowered swim caps. She will say and do the wrong things at the wrong times. She will have a bad hair day every day. Anything to prevent her from liking this new place—and prevent the new people from liking her. That way it won’t hurt at all when she has to leave.

Only … things don’t go exactly as planned. A misfit won’t take the hint and becomes Maggie’s friend anyway. And as wrecked as she is over the boyfriend she left behind, Maggie feels … something … for the last person she would have imagined. Who knew not being popular could be so hard?

“Maggie and Jack's relationship rings true, adding an irresistible sincerity to both characters that allows Maggie's self-discovery and growth to unfold naturally. Thoughtful and fun.”

— Kirkus Reviews

Delacorte Books for Young Readers • Order from Amazon.com
Hardcover: 352 pages • ISBN-13: 978-0385734653 • (January, 2008)
Paperback: 352 pages • ISBN-13: 978-0440240242 • (March, 2010)