DEEP DOWN POPULAR
by Phoebe Stone

Arthur A. Levine Books/Scholastic
ISBN: 9780439802451
Ages 9-12
288 pages

Although it's not the most exciting place in the world, Jessie Lou Ferguson's home of West Taluka Falls, Virginia, has a magic all its own. No, not the Harry Potter wizards-and-dragons kind of magic, but the magic that comes from open surroundings, family-owned businesses and life that doesn't go a mile a minute. Jessie Lou, unlike her older sister Melinda and the popular girls in school, would rather wear her black high-tops than a dress. She is a quiet writer who draws inspiration for her poems from her surroundings, her family and the most popular boy in school, Conrad Parker Smith.

Or at least, he was the most popular boy in school. Before Conrad had to wear the leg brace, he was everyone's friend, got invited to all the parties and had plenty of people cheering for him at his soccer games. He was and still is the object of Jessie Lou's longtime crush. But recently, Conrad has had to wear a leg brace. Because of it, he has withdrawn from a lot of his usual activities, and over the months his popularity has steadily declined. He has stopped playing soccer and riding his bike, and he doesn't have any real friends anymore.

Jessie Lou lives near Conrad, so her teacher asks if she'll assist him in getting around. They start to hang out with each other more, often accompanied by quirky fourth-grader Quentin Duster. Spending so much time with Conrad is Jessie Lou's dream come true, but when Conrad's leg brace comes off, will their friendship be able to survive? It seems that Conrad's popularity is about to come back, but Jessie Lou is the same Jessie Lou she's always been. What does popularity mean to Conrad?

Spend some time in the hot South with Jessie Lou, her mom and sister, and the person she loves more than anyone else --- her cranky grandfather. This is a time of great change for Jessie Lou, but like all of us, she doesn't always see the changes in herself for some time after they've already happened. Through Conrad, Jessie Lou will see what it really means to be popular and to be a friend. Through everyone else, she'll see what it means to have a sense of place, self and family.

Answered by Suparna , an ibibo Master, at 12:01 AM on February 10, 2009