Nice little book but nothing to rave about

 Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek
by Maya Van Wagenan

Lovely little YA book. Growing up, of course, is the topic. But it's set in Brownsville, Texas, the armpit of America. And it features a slightly (1/4) Hispanic girl who is reading and following the advice of a 1950's "popularity guide". She reminds me of that guy I used to read--A J Jacobs--in the way she takes it literally and actually does every thing the writer tells her to. Like wearing pearls--all the time. Wearing gloves and a hat to church. Vaseline instead of eye shadow. A different weird hairdo every week.

It's silly, of course, but the book has a lot of NOT silly in it. She's got some cool family dynamics going on, a strong friendship, and a dying mentor/teacher at school. It's a solid, recommended, and very lovely book.