Deep Down Popular by Phoebe Stone

"Conrad is the only boy on the face of the earth who can wear a pink T-shirt and carry it off. Doesn't bother him in the least. Doesn't even faze him. You know what that is? That's deep down popular."

My Rating: 7/10

Publisher: Scholastic
Publication: March 2008
Pages: 280
Ages: 9 and up

Jessie Lou is a 6th graders and she always has a special interest for Conrad Parker Smith.

Conrad is popular, Conrad is smart and is very likable by everyone.

Then something went wrong with Conrad's leg and he was out from school for a long time.

The popular kids stopped calling him gradually, and Conrad's popularity went down. And one day he came back to school with a cast on his leg, sealing the deal of his lost popularity.

He used to be the kids that was up in the lunch line first, now he's one of the kids that stayed behind in class and waited patiently. All because of his leg.

Then one day Jessie Lou was assigned by the teacher (who's oblivious of the fact that nobody really cares for Conrad anymore) to help Conrad take his bicycle home.

Jessie Lou wishes that Conrad's cast will never be taken off, so that she can stay with him even for a little while. Deep Down Popular is about understanding things more than what's shown, about seeing what's best.

What I like about this book: That it was entertaining, especially the bits about Jessie Lou's thoughts about Conrad.

What I dislike about this book: Even though this was written in Jessie Lou's perspective, it feels awkward that she really describes her surrounding without really putting her own thoughts so much in it. It feels awkward--which is different--hence, a little dislike.

Phoebe Stone's Official Deep Down Popular Page