Deep Down Popular

by Phoebe Stone

6th-grader Jessie Lou is deeply, madly, passionately in love with Conrad Parker Smith. Too bad she's a tomboy with only one on-again, off-again friend, and hair so short you can't spit on it. Too bad he's the most popular boy in their small-town school.

But then Conrad hurts his leg and suddenly can't keep up with his old pursuits anymore. Jessie Lou and Conrad start spending a lot more time together, but she can't help wonder -- is she just a substitute friend? And will Conrad forget her when his leg brace comes off and he's king of the school once again?

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Romance, Fiction, Childrens, Contemporary

288 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2008

About the author

Before concentrating on creating books for children and young adults, Phoebe Stone had a very successful career established as a fine art's painter. During that time, she received two Vermont Council on the Arts Fellowships in painting and exhibited her work in many museums and galleries all around New England and New York City, and influenced many New England artists with her unique, brightly colored narrative and metaphorical style. "I was already working in sequences," she says, "but at some point I began to realize that I could combine my love for images and words in picture books for children."

Phoebe's picture books include When Wind Bear Goes Dancing, What Night do the Angels Wander, and Go Away, Shelly Boo! Original art from When Wind Bear Goes Dancing was included in the Society of Illustrators' Original Art '97 show. Go Away, Shelly Boo! was chosen as an American Bookseller Association's Pick of the Lists.

She has also written three novels, All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, Sonata #1 for Riley Red, and Deep Down Popular. The New York Times said of All the Blue Moons at the Wallace Hotel, "Stone's prose is poetic." The Boston Globe said of Sonata #1 for Riley Red, "Literature doesn't get much better than this."
Phoebe Stone lives in Middlebury, Vermont.

Reviews

[Jean · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel was not appreciated by some of my acquaintances. These respected critics had valid points--there are inconsistencies, the whole popularity thing is an old theme, the text has an odd fast pace which is hard to get comfortable with. But I loved the protagonist. I could relate to her aversion to frills and hyperfemininity--and to her super short, ragged home haircuts, and her unfettered love of nature.
The boy she loves is popular, so she thinks she can never win him. But I love that she never herself desires popularity--she just wants him, not the "status." And I think it is refreshing that although she has a lot to learn about self confidence (and what 12 year-old-girl doesn't?), she is pretty true to herself throughout.
So my personal reader response was quite positive even though I'm not sure it will be universally well received!

[Arminzerella · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sixth grader, Jessie Lou, has liked Conrad Parker since she first laid eyes on him, but he’s always been unattainable – popular, smart, unapproachable (at least for Jessie Lou). Then, because of illness, Conrad is forced to wear a leg brace and the other kids gradually drop him from their social circles. He becomes almost an outcast, but Jessi Lou can see that he’s still deep down popular. Fate throws them together when their teacher assigns Jessi Lou to be Conrad’s helper, and they become friends. A class assignment brings them closer still – they’re to discover something, investigate some mystery. With the help of fourth grader, spazzy and boisterous Quentin, they discover, uncover, and then become willing participants in a mysterious event that’s unfolding right in their hometown.

This book is filled with quirky characters hatching up plots. There’s Jessi Lou who keeps punishing herself by giving herself terrible haircuts over her guilty thoughts about Conrad – once they become friends, she sort of wishes he’ll have a leg brace forever, just so they can keep on being friends. She’s afraid that if he gets better, he’ll drop her and go back to the other kids. Jessi’s grandfather is always getting into mischief with the brothers who run the hardware store – the brothers are in their eighties and no one can tell them apart. And there’s Jessi Lou’s older sister, a beauty pageant contestant, who hasn’t (of recent) been the best sister to Jessi Lou. Jessi watches her competing in the pageant and realizes that her sister is smaller than the other girls, less polished, less grown up.

Deep Down Popular is a slice of Jessi Lou’s life during her sixth grade year. While there’s a mystery to uncover, it’s definitely background for the changes that are taking place in and around Jessi Lou. I really liked getting inside her head, watching her work through her thoughts, and make discoveries about herself and others - whatever they were. She was sometimes a bit passive for me, but she came through at the end. I expected, from the cover and title of this book, a very different kind of story – like some kind of Clique book for the younger set. It was much more introspective and literary, and I was pleasantly surprised.

[Anna Park · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just grabbed this random book off the shelf in the library. It was better than I expected, but I wouldn't put it in my top 20 favorite books.

[Eliora Vespera · Rating 4 out of 5]

http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/

"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."

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.

http://scholarberry.blogspot.com/

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

i had a really neat experience on vacation. there is a great book store in manchester vermont. emily and i went there as soon as we arrived in stratton and there was a booksigning scheduled by phoebe stone for her new book about a sixth grader with a crush. well this is our kind of project so we bought the book and took turns reading it. i figured that it was a local author that they were pushing and didnt expect much. well here was a time where assuming made an ass out of me. this was a great book. i adored the main character jesse lou. i would definitely have been friends with her then and now.her granddaddy is one of those really memorable characters. hes wise and warm and good. i hope i get to meet up with these characters again. in the book jim the boy, you get to love little jim. then he comes back as a teenager in the blue star and you fall in love with him all over again. i see that in jesse's future. i hope granddad stays in good health as well. i would have given this book five stars even if i hadnt met the author but that was just the cool whip on the cake. she was friendly and interesting and it really heightened our excitement about the book.thanks phoebe.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that his book was really good it was about a girl named Jessie Lou Ferguson.
She was always happy because she likes Conrad but,if she told him that she didn't want to ruin their friendship because she likes him a lot but he doesn't know.I would recommend this book is to girls only because i think it's a more girly book it takes place mostly in the school.My favorite part in the book is when she gets assigned to help Jessie who was in pain with his lag.The part that I loved the most was was when The girl and guy part of it was so cute(: He loved her the whole time! And i thought the end was really sweet when he brought her the whole bag of candy and asked her to the dance. It was adorable. I thought it was REALLY funny when like her sister was all "How can your ugly face get a date, and i can't?
Yes i know those weren't her words, but we all know she was thinking it. I also think Conrad was really sweet to everyone even though he was all popular and on TV. I felt really bad for him when he hurt his leg and became un-popular.And for Jessie to help the most popular boy in school,Conrad Parker Smith. Jessie has to cancel some of her plans to help him with his leg. It was just a really sweet book the whole way through the being to the end. I highly reccomend this book to all the girls in this world who think that they are a nothing and soon that will all change because this book is a life encouraging life lesson just because you dont have a boyfriend doesn't mean you are lame and uncool you believe what your heart says not what others say!

[Rachael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think I'd actually give it 3 and 1/2 stars.

I've read that others didn't like the writing style that much or thought the theme of fitting in has been overdone. I disagree on both counts. I like the way Jessie Lou tells her story, and I think the way her friend Conrad's popularity is portrayed is more interesting than in many other novels. I also really liked Jessie Lou, Conrad, Quentin, and especially Jessie Lou's grandfather. They were fun characters.

Here's what bugged me, though. Some things were just hard for me to believe. For instance, Jessie Lou lives with her mother, sister, and grandfather. The only mention that I could find of her father is that he and her mother had the same last name before they were married but were unrelated. Maybe it's because my father's death was such a life-changing experience to me, but I can't fathom not mentioning once why your Dad's not in the picture AT ALL. I just think that the absence of a father, due to either death or abandonment is too big to just omit entirely. She also never mentions her grandmother, so I guess we just have to assume she's dead. Weird.

I know, I am a bit nitpicky, but why does Jessie Lou ride the bus to and from school if she lives close enough to walk home for lunch? And what Elementary School would actually let their kids walk home and back alone in the middle of the school day nowadays? I also couldn't understand how there were enough kids to need multiple buses if grades 4-6 were all combined in the same class. Wouldn't that mean there weren't very many students?

Why was the Sausage festival during the day, and for only one day? I'm not sure if there is such a thing in my part of the country. Festivals last the whole weekend in the Midwest.

So, while I enjoyed the story and the characters, there were just some parts that, for me were unbelievable and that prevented me from enjoying the book as much as I would have otherwise.

[Kirsten · Rating 5 out of 5]

All 280 pages of the realistic fiction novel "Deep Down Popular" by Phoebe Stone is sure to keep you entertained! Tomboy Jessie Lou, a sixth grader at Cabanish County Elementary has had a crush on Conrad since early elementary days. The only problem is that Conrad, being the most popular boy in school doesn't pay her much mind. Then, things change when Conrad gets a leg brace, loses many of his popular friends, and is stuck with Jessie Lou to help him with his leg. As Conrad's popularity dives Jessie Lou, Quinten(an unpopular forth grader), and him become close friends. In addition to her interesting social life, Jessie Lou also has an exciting Grandaddy who hates the fact that Cabanish County is opening doors to a shiny and new mall. Plus, her sister is a well liked beauty pageant contestant. When Conrad gets a chance to have a surgery to fix his leg and get rid of his leg brace, Jessie Lou doesn't know what will happen to their friendship with Conrad's popularity sure to be on the rise again. In the end, both Jessie Lou's family and social life learn lessons about popularities twists and turns.
In my opinion, the ending was heart warming and left you with a smile on your face. I give this book a 5 out of 5 starts!

[Scarlet · Rating 2 out of 5]

When I read this book, I expected it to be completely different. Maybe that was why I wasn't a huge fan of this book. There just wasn't enough character development. I just didn't have a connection to any of the characters, even Jessie
Lou, who I was totally expecting to connect with. I also couldn't quite understand why she liked Conrad. His character was boring and lacked a personality. I also didn't really get the point of Quentin in this story. Also, I didn't understand why she was so obsessed with Conrad's popularity. It made her and the whole book feel sort of shallow.
I also read the Romeo and Juliet Code (also by Phoebe Stone) and I also felt like there was a great story in there, but it just wasn't there. I might just stop reading this author all together, if this is her writing style.
RATING: BORING. I wouldn't recommend it.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's completely true how friends can turn on you in a blink of an eye, but some things always stay the same, like deep down friends. I'm so glad that Jessie Lou found some friends that aren't see-you-later-when-I-feel-like-it friends. Conrad, Quentin, and Jessie Lou are deep down friends like I said before, and that's better than anything in the whole entire world.

[Ca1t!Y# · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really good. It was my second time reading this book, but the first time I read it was like 2 years ago.

[♠ TABI⁷ ♠ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was full of Southern charm, wit, and quirkiness - which instantly got me right in because those are my roots as well. Plus, it wasn't too hard liking a tomboy who read books a lot, because again, that was me right when I was younger. Although I never buzzed my hair short - and I was the oldest, but never mind. This isn't about me, it's about this book. So about the book.

This is the fourth book of this author's that I have read, and I'm hooked. I love her writing, the stories that she comes up with, and the way she tells them. Yeah, they're a little slower than most stories I've been reading lately, but that's the thing about me. I'm pretty much an omnivorous reader - I really don't have a certain genre I stick too.

Ok, well I do prefer fantasty, paranormal, action and YA reads, but I also really like reading other sorts of stories as well. Pretty much anything that catches my fancy is what I read. But again, I am trailing away from the thread of my review...

The characters in this book were some of the richest and developed of all her books that I've read, in my humble opinion. I don't know what it was about them, but I just connected with them faster and better than I did in her other books. Maybe because I liked them and understood where they were coming from a little better, I don't know.

Jessie Lou is a girl that I can relate to. She loves to read, she doesn't like being all girly-girly half the time, has a heart for adventure, but still sees the beauty and poetry in things, which is why she is also a poet. And a very good one at that. she isn't afraid to stick up for herself and speak her mind...except when it comes to Conrad - the boy she's loved all her life.

Conrad at first wasn't very much in my mind. He was the super popular boy, she was gonna fall for him, eventually he'd notice her - bingo. End of story, yada yada yada.
Nope. That's the funny thing about when I try to guess a story line and am so sure that it will happen, is that I get surprised. Now, most of the time it doesn't happen, because when you read enough books you can usually guess a little at where a story line will go. But then every now and then a book surprises me. Like this one here, where I ended up liking Conrad a lot because he turned out to be one of the strongest characters in it.

Quentin - I really wasn't sure what to think of him at first, because I really didn't think he'd turn out to be that big of a character, but he grew on me. He was like the little brother that you can't stand and who annoys you to pieces, but you can't help loving him anyway.

As far as the other characters, the grandpa was an absolute hoot! I cracked up a lot when he'd pop out one of his whizzers. The mom was ok, I guess. She seemed focused on beauty and all a lot more than what was really supposed to be focused on. So I really didn't care for her that much. Same with Jessie Lou's older sister, but she did get a little better so I ended up liking her slightly. Tiny was ok, just really didn't get much of him to get a good idea, but from what I saw he seemed ok. Same with his uncles. They were hilarious.

So, if you're wanting a read that makes you laugh, smile, and pulls at your heart with just a good, old-fashioned, Southern style tale, read this one. I'd heartily recommend it to anyone I know.

[Kiran Galsinh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jessie Lou might not seem like the girl who fantasizes over someone, but she is. Ever since 4th grade Jessie Lou has been deeply in love with Conrad Parker Smith. There are many reasons why it just won't work out. Jessie Lou is a tomboy with very short hair and only one maybe friend. The biggest reason of them all is because Conrad is the most popular boy in their school and town. She knows she doesn't have a chance at someone like Conrad. That is until, Conrad hurts his leg to were he can't walk without limping. His popularity dies down in an instant and he is left forgotten. This is Jessie Lou's time to shine and she starts spending quality time with Conrad. On his way home, at school, in his free time, Jessie Lou was there. When word comes out that Conrad will go through a machine that has never been tested on anyone else, to fix his leg, Jessie Lou worries. Will he forget her when he is back to his normal self, or better yet, will he make it through alive?

I recommend this book to readers who love young adult, realistic fiction, fiction, romance, and middle grade. This book brings a lot of emotion, thought, and wonder.

[K · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was absolutely touching. it wasnt one of those books with the big words and fancy pepul. it was one of the few books in the world that really reached out and related to us teens. i can't relate to jessie lou completely...me being a 7th grader and i hate short hair. jessie lou falls in love with the one and only conrad parker smith, conrad also likes jessie lou...no freakin duhhhh hahahaa cuz her like...took her to the dance....hahha. anyway....this guy who only hung out with conrad bcuz he was afraid of conrad taking jessie lou away from him....,quentin duster,had like...this crush...NO...he was in love with jessie lou...and he was a fourth grader! and jessie lou and conrad were in sixth grade,.....ehmagawsh...i wish my life was likt this book. this book is absolutely...not breathtaking....but ttly awesome!!! hhahaa. and thats coming from a 12 year old who goes to a private school! hahhahhahaahaa................

[Lisa Nagel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Grades 5-8. Jessie Lou has a "crush" on one of the most popular boys in her school, but why would he ever like her? Jessie Lou has just cut her hair herself and it looks like a mop. She is not like her beauty contestant sister. She is just a bit awkward, she hardly has any friends, and she is a bit different, but when her teacher asks her to help Conrad home..Jessie can't believe her luck! She feels guilty that she is actually happy when Conrad has to wear a leg brace, and needs her help home, but how else would she have gotten to spend time with him? What Jessie Lou finds is that there is more to Conrad than his good looks..he is deep down popular. A wonderfully written book, with characters that are fun and likeable. And, it seems popularity has more to do with goodness than good looks....

[Saige Brooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is going to keep you wondering what is going to happen next. There is a tom-boy named Jessie-Luo, she is in the sixth grade and she has an enormous crush on the most popular kid in school. His name is conrad Parker Smith. Jessie-Luo has had an enormous on Conrad since they where n fourth grade. She had not very many friends and the ones she did have where whenever I feel like it friends. But when Conrad has to wear a boot due to an injury Jessie-Luo is assigned by the teacher to carry his things home for him everyday.Then a little fourth grader becomes friends with them named Quinten and they think that he is really annoying. In the end Jessie-Luo finds out that she has had a lover following her for a while too. But I guess you will have to read the book to find out who it is and how they plan to save the super market and how her grandaddy helps in the plot.

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a really good book, i think anyway.This is a book about a 6th grade soccer player named Conrad Parker Smith. He has been popular since the fourth grade. A girl named Jessie Lou Ferguson as liked him ever since they first layed eyes on eachother wihich was in 1st grade. Jessie isn't the most noticeable girl in school if you catch my drift.
At a soccer game Conrad hurts his leg and Jessie has been assigned to help him home after school. All of conrads freinds bale on him cause hes not playing soccer anymore and hes not a big star like he used to be. So Jessie and him start hanging out more. Thats pretty much all i can tell you without giving it all aways so either buy it cause i know that you will love it or get it from a library.

[$hanel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deep Down Popular is about Jessie Lou who has a major crush on Conrad Parker Smith, the most popular boy in all of sixth grade. Only Jessie Lou is the kind of girl who sits alone in the cafeteria and thats not the kind of girlfriend Conrad wants. When Jessie Lou is assighned to help Conrad carry his books after school because of his broken leg. This brings Jessie Lou and Conrad closer and may develop a relationship between the two. Except for the fact that 4th grader Quinten follows Conrad home from school too. So is Jessie Lou headed for love or for some serious heartbreak? This novel by Phoebe Stone is very inspiring for teenagers who are dealing with a first crush or a hard relationship. I loved this book!!!!!!!!!!!

[dearlittledeer · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanna give this like two and a half stars. Somewhere between "It was okay" and "I liked it..." Cause it was a good book and all, but eh. Not so much for me. It's not that I hate the country bumpkin characters, cause I've enjoyed my fair share. But I think the combination of this rural town (with like a one-room schoolhouse? That totally confused me, by the way) and the very young protagonist, plus her obsession with popularity, kind of turned me off. Not to mention the fact that the popular dude asked her to the dance. That would SO NOT happen in real life, sorry. So yeah, good book, but not this girl's cup of tea. And I'm pretty sure most of my students would find it boring.

[Elly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a Jessie Lou and young girl or you could say a tomboy. With Hair so short you can't even spit in it and with only 1 on and off friend. Although, she has been in love with Conrad Parker Smith, the most popular boy in school. But what happens when Conrad gets a leg brace and is pushed all the way to the bottom of the social triangle? When Jessie and him start to talk a lot and are good friends will he forget about her when he gets his leg brace off?
I gave this book 4 stars because I thought I could easily relate to it and I believe many other people could too. Although, the book did have some boring spots in the plot. This book has 280 pages and is realistic fiction. This book is very good and is written by Pheobe Stone.

[Raena Matz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in sixth grade as a book report, it took me two days to read it, which is impressive back then. This book is real to me, now some parts are extreme, but when I get from it is that a girl had insecurities and is always feeling compared to her sister. So she does some extreme things because of her insecurities. These are real feelings that people feel, I believe that Jessie-Lou, the main character, is one of those "perfect person" kind of people. I fell in love with her and Conrad Parker Smith. Note: I really want a boy like Conrad Parker Smith, he is actually perfect.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well, where do i start?? I think this book is soooo cute! how she helps him with his books since he can't walk good anymore. classic romance of teenager books and very inspiring. i would say that because all the other poeple dont like him but her.people dont like him anymore because of his legs but she love the boy!! thats why she helps him. As they say it's the inside that counts! <3

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book! It's a nice story about a shy girl who likes a popular guy and finally gets the chance to talk to him. I would recommend this book to people who like reading a sweet book about the roller-coaster ride of trying to get the guy.

[Kindall Patton · Rating 5 out of 5]

i love this book it is so awesome..♥

[Aine · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is pretty good so far.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

It really showed alot about friendship, I thought Conrad was gonna completely forget about her again. I was very surprised when he didn't. That's not reality.

[Jolene Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This girl felt just like me at that age.
There was one thing left hanging that bothered me, but the book was great.

[Eva Siperki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was really good and I loved the main character. She is so cool and I love how she is always helping conrad.

[Morgan G]

abandoned

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book that I read is deep down popular by phoebe stone. The overall Theme of the book is a Sixth grader, Jessie Lou, has liked Conrad Parker since she first laid eyes on him and he is a popular_boy and a girl you would think invisible . My favorite character was Jessie Lou because she was an outcast and not seen by many and I can relate to her because I feel like her sometimes . I would recommend this book as the plot if you like the popular boy and shy girl who finds herself out and how he was popular but he broke his leg and she had to help him and scared he'll get better and forget her. My overall favorite part about the book was when the teacher put them together for a project and they started to get to know each other and he has a broken leg and she had to help him bring things home and she was scared that if he gets better then he will leave and go back to the popular kids.. This book keeps the reader highly/Somewhat engaged due to seeing if he stays with her or leaves him as soon as he gets better pr the project over. I would/would not recommend this book if you're a girl because it's more of a girly thing and has that romantic love story most girls like.