Mission (Un)Popular

April 25, 2011
Twelve-year-old Margot Button describes herself as "mostly a total social dork," but she still aspires to become popular despite such obstacles as having a tarot cardâreading mother, being the older sister of locally famous identical triplet sisters, and starting seventh grade without her best friend, Erika, who is attending a different school. After a fashion mishap leaves her looking like a "poodle with a human face," Margot is rescued by a new studentârich, sassy Em, who seems to know as much about popularity as she does about fixing bad hair. Unfortunately, following Em up the social ladder means leaving some old friends behind and surviving some dangerous situations, like getting pushed down the stairs by her rival, Sarah J. In this tale of making new friends and losing old ones, Humphrey (Rhymes with Cupid) introduces a cast of convincing characters, quirky enough to hold middle schoolers' interest, and accurately depicts how the quest for popularity can sometimes lead to compromised values. Insecure and self-deprecating, Margot has a hyperbolic, sarcastic sense of humor that will draw readers inâand win them over. Ages 10âup.

May 1, 2011

With a mother who reads tarot cards, 2-year-old triplet half sisters and an embarrassing stepfather, Margot longs for a more mundane life.

On the eve of seventh grade, Margot has a lot to contend with, including a humiliating new nickname following a disastrous attempt to impress the popular crowd. Now that her BFF Erika is attending private school, Margot agonizes over how to capture the attention of her crush, Gorgeous George, while avoiding her arch nemesis, Sarah. In her haste to reinvent herself, Margot befriends edgy, cool new girl Em, entranced by Em's defiant attitude toward Sarah. The constant barrage of Sarah's subtle cruelty takes a toll on Margot, pushing her toward increasingly reckless behavior. Spurred on by Em, the situation between Margot and Sarah escalates and the stakes become dangerous as events spiral out of control. Ultimately, Margot must decide if being popular is worth sacrificing everything she knows to be right. Through Margot's transformation from quiet girl to troublemaker, Humphrey thoughtfully explores the repercussions of bullying.  Preteen readers will relate to Margot's insecurities about her looks and her longing to fit in.

Margot's cautionary tale offers an insightful look at a young girl's journey of self-discovery and acceptance. (Fiction. 11-14)

(COPYRIGHT (2011) KIRKUS REVIEWS/NIELSEN BUSINESS MEDIA, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)

August 1, 2011

Gr 6-8-Seventh grade at Manning Middle School was supposed to be a fresh start for Margot Button: new school, new look, and new attitude. After an unfortunate incident labels her a bad influence on the kids from her elementary school who will also attend Manning, she finds herself showing up on the first day without her best friend and with some questionable hair management. Fortunately, New Yorker Em has just moved to Darling, Canada, and is looking for a friend. Em has a bold style that extends to both her wardrobe and her brash comments. Together the girls take on Sarah J. and the entire student hierarchy at their school, creating lasting effects on the feuds and friendships. Humphrey has crafted a realistic account of life in the second tier of seventh grade. The pressures and situations Margot encounters will feel familiar to many adolescent readers, but a slow-moving plot and overly generous page count may deter less-able readers.-Colleen S. Banick, Tomlinson Middle School, Fairfield, CT

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

July 1, 2011
Seventh grader Margot feels nervous about starting school without her best friend. She's psyched to hang with new-girl Em, rebellious and untrustworthy, who encourages Margot to be gutsier, but also lands her in trouble when revenge on a bully goes too far. Though Margot often sounds older than her almost-thirteen years, her desire to fit in is relatable.

(Copyright 2011 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)