Populazzi
on Goodreads (919)
What’s inside...
Cara has never been one of those girls: confident, self-possessed, and always ready with the perfect thing to say. A girl at the very top of the popularity tower. One of the Populazzi. Now, junior year could change everything. Cara's moving to a new school, and her best friend urges her to seize the moment—with the help of the Ladder. Its rungs are relationships, and if Cara transforms into the perfect girlfriend for guys ever-higher on the tower, she'll reach the ultimate goal: Supreme Populazzi. The Ladder seems like a lighthearted social experiment, a straight climb up, but it quickly becomes gnarled and twisted. And when everything goes wrong, only the most audacious act Cara can think of has a chance of setting things even a little bit right.
Age
13-14
Length
400 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Cara Leonard
Archer
Vanessa
Discussion points
What do you think about Cara's attempt to climb the social ladder? Have you ever felt a similar pressure to fit in?
How do the different 'rungs' on the popularity ladder affect the characters? Do you think these 'rungs' exist in real life?
Cara changes a lot throughout the book. How do you feel about the choices she makes? What would you have done differently?
What do you think about the friendships in the book? How important is it to have true friends?
The book explores the idea of self-identity. How does Cara's journey help you think about your own identity and how you might want to be perceived by others?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate personal experiences to Cara's story, deepening their understanding and empathy.
Discuss the consequences of the characters' actions to help your child consider the outcomes of their own choices.
Use specific characters or events as starting points to explore topics of peer pressure and popularity in your child's own life.
Highlight the growth of Cara and other characters, prompting a conversation about how people can change and grow over time.
Focus on the theme of true friendship and ask your child to describe qualities they value in their friends.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of authenticity
Explanation: Through the protagonist’s journey, 'Populazzi' explores the pitfalls of pretending to be someone you're not in order to fit in.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the value of being true to themselves and not changing for others. This lesson can help them develop healthier social relationships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of peer pressure
Explanation: 'Populazzi' showcases various scenarios where the main character faces peer pressure and must make decisions that could compromise her values.
Real-World Application: This book can teach children the importance of making their own choices rather than succumbing to the influence of others, fostering independence and confidence.
Example Lesson: Resilience in the face of challenges
Explanation: The protagonist of the story encounters setbacks as she navigates social hierarchies, but learns to overcome them.
Real-World Application: Kids can understand that challenges are a natural part of life and learn coping strategies to deal with setbacks and disappointments.
Example Lesson: The impact of social dynamics
Explanation: This book delves into the complexities of social dynamics in a school setting, illustrating how relationships affect one’s self-perception and actions.
Real-World Application: Children can become more aware of how their interactions with others impact themselves and their surroundings, promoting empathy and understanding.