Second Skin by Jessica Wollman

Beauty is only skin deep. Popularity goes much deeper. . .

Appearances can be deceiving. Sam Klein’s found that out firsthand. All she wanted was to be popular. But sometimes what we want is the absolute worst thing for us.

Sam discovers that Kylie, It-girl of Woodlawn High, owes her popular status not to her expensive clothes, highlighted hair, and spot on the cheerleading squad but to a magical second skin. Nobody can actually see it—but they can feel it. And if you’re wearing the skin, you feel incredible. Invincible. Popularity is yours.

So Sam stole the skin from Kylie. Now she’s the most popular girl at school, while Kylie’s social life takes a serious hit. Sam can barely recognize herself. Her old geek clique is history—but are her new friends really people she can count on? The skin is clinging tighter to her each day . . . can Sam get it off before it’s too late?

Second Skin came with a great message. As Sam becomes more popular her schedule begins to fill (her priorities begin to change) and she doesn't have time for the things she used to consider important in her life. Like her adorably geeky guy friend Alex, overly opinionated, star chef, best friend Gwen, and obsessedly activist parents. Sam learns some really valuable lessons and being yourself through her popularity.

This novel was hilarious. I found Sam's voice quirky and real. With quotes like "I reasoned, thinking that my chances of becoming popular would be even more diminished if I was chopped up and living in Kylie's freezer" I couldn't help but laugh out loud. I really enjoyed the sense of humor in the novel!

The writing was simple in to the point but in no way did that take away from the story. At times I felt like the novel was a "How-to" guide to being popular but I think that's how the author intended it to be. If I had one complaint about the book it's that Sam seemed to stumble upon her popularity so quickly (which, again, were probably effects of The Skin) and I really wanted to see Alex and Sam's relationship blossom more (but the scenes they were together were extremely memorable and sweet).

This was a quick and easy read which had me up all night finishing (I read it in one night!). There was equal parts humor and sincerity, life lessons and love (mixed with a little geometry and astronomy). If you like to see the ugly side of being popular, this is the story for you! Also, if you want to read about a cast of unlikely but sweet and real characters and how they figure out who they are (with the help from each other), pick this one up right away! You won't be disappointed!

Rating: 4.0