Jennifer Ziegler

A Pick for the 2009 Texas Lone Star Book List

Jennifer Ziegler
on How NOT to be Popular: An Interview from Cynsations.

Praise for How NOT to Be Popular

"Positive and touching ... a witty, fresh perspective to the YA literature scene."

– KLIATT

“Balances laugh-out-loud, sardonic commentary with earnest reflections ...”

– Booklist

“This book has heart ... it has a sweet story of friendship at its core ...”

– School Library Journal

“Unapologetically honest and with a laugh or gasp on every page, How Not to Be Popular will make readers rethink what the word ‘popularity’ really means.”

—Kate Brian,
author of the Private series

“I loved this book. I was right next to Maggie the entire time, rooting for her as she tried to find herself and feeling her pain as she realized her mistakes.”

— Chelsea Swiggett,
Teens Read Too

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.

How NOT to be Popular by Jennifer ZieglerTips 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

 

Hardcover: 352 pages • Delacorte Books for Young Readers (January 8, 2008)
ISBN-10: 0385734654 • Order from Amazon.com or your favorite bookseller

Coming Soon! The paperback version of How Not to Be Popular will hit stores in March, 2010!