CON-Fidence

by Todd Strasser

Lauren would love to be part of the popular crowd at school, and when an attractive new girl seems to befriend her and offers a chance at popularity, Lauren does not recognize how she is being manipulated.

Genres: Young Adult, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Middle Grade, School, Contemporary, Friendship

200 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Todd Strasser is an American author of more than 130 novels for adults, young-adults, and middle graders.

His most recent novel is Summer of '69

Booklist review: "Drugs, sex, and rock 'n' roll, those hallmarks of the summer of 1969, are all here, but there's so much more. In this loosely autobiographical novel, Strasser introduces 18-year-old Lucas, who is bright and sensitive but also a screw up…. The picture painted of the Woodstock music festival shows the dark side of peace and love, and the prevalence of drugs is on almost every page…The best part of the book, however, is the one that transcends eras: Lucas' introspection as he contemplates his place in the world."

Kirkus review: "Strasser perfectly captures the golden haze of youth and life on the cusp of adulthood. Readers fascinated with this time period will find much to enjoy... Vietnam, Woodstock, road trips, and acid trips: a sweetly bittersweet, surprising, even melancholy bildungsroman set against a world in flux. Groovy, man."

His most recent young adult novel is Price of Duty:
2018 New York Public Library Best Book for Teens
“Compact and suspenseful, the novel raises important questions about war.” – Kirkus 
“This thought-provoking book is both welcome and imperative.” – Booklist * (starred review).
"Rather than attempting to sway the reader, it offers awareness." - VOYA 
“Tightly wound and compelling ... appropriate for an older middle school and high school audience. VERDICT: Highly recommended.” – School Library Journal 

Bio: Todd was born in New York City. When he was young his parents moved to Roslyn Heights, New York (Long Island). Todd went to the I.U. Willets Elementary school and then attended the Wheatley School for junior high and high school. His best subjects were math and science. He also liked to read, but he had trouble with spelling and grammar, and didn't do well in English. His favorite sports were tennis, skiing and fishing. Todd went to college at New York University for a few years, and then dropped out. He lived on a commune, then lived in Europe where he was a street musician.

All the while, Todd wrote songs and poems and lots of letters to his friends back home. Finally he decided to try being a writer. He returned to the United States and went to Beloit College where he studied literature and writing.

After college, Todd worked at the Middletown Times Herald-Record newspaper in Middletown, New York, and later at Compton Advertising in New York City. In 1978, Todd sold his first novel, Angel Dust Blues. He used the money to start the Dr. Wing Tip Shoo fortune cookie company. For the next 12 years, Todd sold more fortune cookies than books.

Todd now divides his time between writing books and speaking at schools and conferences. When he's at home, he likes to spend time with his children and dog, Cooper. He still likes to play tennis and ski, but his favorite new sport is surfing.

Reviews

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was okay. I thought the way it was written was interesting, as if you were experiencing all the events, although you know you're really looking through Lauren's eyes. Is was a pretty good book, but it just bothered me how obvious it would have been to me that Celeste was manipulating me. Also, I felt like the ending was a bit of disappointment. I kind of wish that Celeste would have been caught, because stealing from the school is KIND OF A BIG DEAL. Not just something you forget about.
It's kind of funny, because I just read another Todd Strasser book, Boot Camp, and it had some of the same plot twists and themes, like where characters would write using their left hand to make handwriting look different on purpose, or how at the end the people who did a HUGE GIANT BIG thing wrong don't get caught, and it's already too late for the main character.
If you liked this book, I would recommend Without Tess.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a classic coming-of-age story about female friendships in middle school. Lauren, the main character, lacks confidence (hence the title) and envies the lives of popular girls at her school. When the new girl, Celeste, suddenly takes an interest in Lauren, the friendship doesn't exactly pan out very well but Lauren does learn a lot about herself and develops self-esteem.

I really liked the second-person point-of-view. I think it added quite a bit to the story once I got used to it. I think most middle school girls would probably find that it helps them to better relate/connect to the problem, which is very universal for this age group.

[Rachel · Rating 1 out of 5]

As far as I can tell, Todd Strasser's work is very hit-or-miss. I mean, I loved Impact Zone, and I really liked Drift X, despite the slightly ridiculous issues in both of those series. They were both incredibly entertaining. I've read Drift X multiple times, and would read Impact Zone again if I could find it.

But Con-Fidence? Was terrible.
It's about a girl named Lauren who, surprise surprise, is unpopular. And a new girl comes to her school and immediately becomes one of the most popular girls and takes an interest in Lauren. They become fast friends, they run for co-treasurers on the student council, and Celeste completely revamps Lauren's self-image and confidence.

Oh, and then it all turns out to be a scam to use the school's money to buy a skating outfit and frame Lauren for stealing from the school.

And my reaction to that was firmly in the realm of "WTH?"

It just wasn't a good book. Bad concept, bad characterization, bad execution. Todd, how can you write drift racing better than high school interaction? Maybe it's because you were never a teenage girl--because this is completely unrealistic. I don't even know what the point of this story was supposed to be. "Don't let popular girls trick you into taking the fall for everything like a COMPLETE IDIOT"?

[Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a good, quick story for teens about popularity and friendship. The "con" part is multi-level, and it's hard to believe there weren't more consequences for the missing school money. But the story is relatable and a good one for teens I think.

[xXDyingxInside-83Xx · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book Con-fidence,by Todd Strasser(is an awesome book to me)is about a girl named Lauren faces difficult challenges trying to be like the D-Y-W-Y-W-M(dont you wish you were me) girls which are Krista(queen of clique)Stephanie, Judy, and all the rest of the girls. But a new girl whose name is Celeste, she wins Lauren's confidence and then abuses over it like she already had planned what she was up to. Celeste makes friends with Lauren to take Krista's throne and to win her boyfriend, but she also abuses ofher spot as a co-class treasurer and steals a fortune and buys it to make Reed fall in love with her. All in all Krista returns to being Lauren's friend and Celeste wins Reed. The setting mostlytakes place in Laurens house, school, the mall, and the skating rink.
This is a book that can really touch your feelings at the end
because it ends, not likae with a happy ending the bad person ends
up with everything. Three reasons you should read this book is that
you can learn that if you believe in someone,and he/she is tricking
you into something later you got to let it go. I reccomend this book personally.

[PurplyCookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Popular Krista reigns over the cafeteria as the top DYWYWM ("Don't-You-Wish-You-Were-Me") girl and Lauren, her former best friend, sits with fellow reject, Tara. When new girl Celeste Van Werner comes on the scene, everything changes. Her confidence is unmatched even by Krista, and when she claims Lauren as her friend, the shy, tentative girl is ecstatic. The two of them work together (actually Lauren does all the work) and get elected as class co-treasurers. It takes Lauren a while to realize that Celeste is using her for a bigger goal--to take over Krista's position, which Lauren unwittingly helps her accomplish.

Told in second person, this novel highlights the darker side of cliques, peer pressure and acceptance, and friendship. However, it is not entirely convincing that Lauren's lack of self-confidence would explain her blindness to Celeste's evil side. Any reader will know long before Lauren that Celeste is up to no good, causing the revelation at the end-that Celeste has stolen the class money and successfully blamed Lauren for the crime-to fall flat.


Book Details:

Title Con-fidence
Author Todd Strasser
Reviewed By Purplycookie

[Satsuki |皐月| · Rating 4 out of 5]

In my opinion, i think that this book can really relate to someone who suffers from someone who uses and backstabs. Lauren is a victim of bullying, when new girl Celeste Van Warner takes her in under her wing, Lauren will find that Celeste is her dream friend. Krista Rice, the reigning queen of middle school/ Laurens ex-bff warns her that Celeste doesn't seem right. When Lauren ignores her she carries on being her friend, she does Celeste's homework, even doesn't mind when she cancels things last minute, she even takes Laurens money "saying" she forgot her wallet.
It was predictable sometimes, based on all those events I knew Celeste was trouble. The ending wasn't happy, to me that is. But it has an EXTREMELY valuable lesson to learn from, take it from someone who knows. But this book can relate to mostly everyone, highly recommended

[Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lauren isn't an A-lister. She isn't a wannabe at the DYWYWM table. She is just Lauren who is friends with Tara. Then Celeste, a new girl on the A list starts becoming friends with Lauren. They hang out a few times and become good friends. Krista and Tara both say that there is something weird about Celeste. But Lauren doesn't listen. When it's election time for student office, Celeste convinces Lauren that they should be co- tresurers. They win the election but everything goes down from there. Well, not EVERYTHING.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to read books that have lessons in them.

[Ann Marie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda liked it...it had a good base...and you could really feel for Lauren - once in a while and I really did not like the way the story was as if told to her...I did not buy the whole money taken from the bank - I mean most every bank in the world has security cameras and I don't know many who would let a middle school student withdraw from a school account that requires two signatures without two people being present and signing in front of the bank rep. I also believe the school itself would have had to do more of an investigation. Other than this it was okay...you could understand the hows and whys.

[Aimee Garcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl who is in middle school and is goin through hard things like being popular and stuff like that .So she needs to learn how to find herself.A cool thing about this is that the book makes you as 1 of the characters so you feel what the main character does.Aperson that will like to read this book is a person ho is kinda into low self esteem books.What I didnt like about this book is that it has some mean things but itsz pretty cool.If you woul like to read this book it can be found in Ms.Ashworth's room.

[Mark Richards · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lauren is a little lost. Changes in middle school happen so fast, it's hard to keep up. She wants to keep her friends, but she also wants to be part of the in crowd. It's all so confusing. It doesn't help when someone new comes along and manipulates everyone for the worst. I felt bad for Lauren, but it is an important lesson she learned. I really liked the fact that the ending wasn't necessarily happy. Sometimes things don't work out. Great read for middle grades. Girls especially, will relate to the main character and her pressures.

[Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is the most amazing book. I started it two days ago, and it is simply marvelous. Just kidding, those words are too...... too...... Mom-ish. Seriously, it is a great book. I'm about 90 pages in and the things I love are that it is in the 3rd person perspective, and well, is an amazing read. I found it in my school library, liked the title and fell in love. Even with all that, .... It would be bad to read it more than once....

[Joanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found the writing style, especially the second person narrative, annoying and tacky (but I guess that's what I get for reading juvenile fiction). Despite this, the story was engaging enough that I desperately read it all in one sitting to find out how it ends. It might be useful in making a point to middle schoolers to be confident in themselves and not to worry about what others think.

[Janie · Rating 1 out of 5]

A cookie cutter story about the popular girls. A girl the main character was BFFs with dropped her, became popular, and now the protagonist wants in, and gets in. Once in, she realizes she likes being herself. It's every YA-popular-girl-book-with-a-moral you've ever read.

[Dyna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! The main character is so lucky to have the new girl because if the new girl didn't come to the school then she would've never knew that she was independent and she didn't need anybody's help to succeed.

[Kathie M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever, well written, in second person. Great for middle school girls, and kept me, a much older girl, interested throughout.

[Kayla]

this was a wonderful book.this girl learns that she dosent need someone to feel confident.

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good plot development for a YA book.

[Natasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

A main reason to read this book? Written in second person. Awesome.

[Christie Rice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book that tells about school drama between girls who have determined clique's and befriend one another.

[DNA · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for children.

[Jolynne Dougherty · Rating 2 out of 5]

If my daughter were older, it would be an interesting book to discuss. The ending was disappointing, but probably more true to life than a wrapped-up-with-a-red-ribbon ending would be.

[Seki]

i wanna read it

[Brian Vicari · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this book a lot. The story was good. I do not like how this book is written though.

[A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read it when it came out (10 years ago) and I'd still read it today! I loved this book when I was a teen. Felt like many girls my age could relate in a way

[Chloe Wassom · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I read over and over in my middle school years. It’s an interesting book for the young girl to read.

[Katlyn Bridges · Rating 5 out of 5]

Con-fidence By: Todd Strasser
The story Con-fidence takes place at Woodville Middle School. Lauren, Tara, Celeste, and Krista are all the main characters in this book. Before I started reading Con-fidence I was reading Summer Wishes I think it was called and I just couldn’t get into it. Then I remembered a post my aunt posted on Facebook about books she recommended me and my cousin to read. Well I decided to go see if this book was at our library and it just so was and I decided to read it.
Con-fidence is about a girl named Krista Rice who is the most popular girl at school she is the ultimate DYWYWM girl (“Don’t-You-Wish-You-Were-Me”). Lauren and her use to be best friends and then she became best friends with Tara once Krista became popular. Then one day a new girl named Celeste came to school. Everyone liked her and she immediately became a DYWYWM girl. She became really good friends with Lauren and Tara didn’t like it to much. Krista told Lauren that she had a weird feeling about Celeste. Celeste started to come over to Lauren’s a lot. Lauren has lack of self confidence and thinks if she does something different the DYWYWM girls will make fun of her. Celeste thought it was a great idea for both of them to run for class treasurer together. They end up winning class treasurer and find out they have to sign a paper every time they withdraw money from the bank. Celeste thinks it’s a great idea to practice their signatures before signing and then ends up taking the paper. Afterwards Lauren and Celeste take the schools funds to the bank and put the money in a account. Then all student council decides to have a school dance. Celeste and Lauren need to go withdraw the money from the bank, but Celeste Keeps making up excuses why she can’t go with Lauren. So Lauren decides to wait tell Celeste can go with her. All a sudden Celeste thinks it’s a great idea for Lauren to take all her money that she’s been saving up for two years from baby sitting and put it in her own account. Celeste ends up doing a bad deed and trick Lauren and steal the schools money for the dance. It makes Lauren look bad, because the money she put in her count was almost the same amount Celeste took out. Lauren ends up getting in big trouble, because everyone thinks she did it and in the end everything is settled and worked out and her and Krista become great friends including Tara.
I knew Celeste was sneaky and was up to something. There was a lot of foreshadowing I caught that was leading to Celeste’s little plan, but I thought the ending was okay I just wish there was more to it.
This was a great book and I really enjoy Todd Strasser and hope to find, and read more of his books.

[hazelleeeyyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really didn't expect the ending! So far so good, very easy read, since it's target audience is young audience. There's a bigger character development for Lauren, and I love how Tara stays at her side at the very end. I might hate Celeste, but not at all since she plays a big part on building Lauren's confidence. We cannot deny that, though it is still bad to "con" her. I was looking for more acceptable ending, like a unfortunate thing happen to Celeste at the end I guess? Anyways, it's a good book, and I love how it is written.

[Ananya · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an okay book. I wouldn't say it was amazing, considering how cliche it was, but it had a decent story line. When I read this, I was 10 or 11, so I didn't really guess the plot twist, but if I read it for the first time now, I would definitely catch on.

[Aida · Rating 3 out of 5]

So I haven't read this since probably high school, thus I am giving it an auto-three stars because I remember loving it then, and I have never forgotten it since. I first read this book in the 6th grade, and was sucked in by the main character and her near-obsession with the girls at her school who wouldn't give her a second glance, and how she navigates being brought into their world by Celeste, a new girl who singles her out from the crowd of middle schoolers and makes Lauren (main character) feel special. As someone who also lived on the outer edges of the so-called "popular" crowd but less interest in things like make-up and cute clothes, but definitely still felt that lack of confidence, I totally identified with Lauren. The lack of confidence she has is all-consuming, and the amount she gets from Celeste makes it almost impossible for her to feel strong enough to give it up.

It's an engaging narrative, and worth reading alongside a kiddo about to enter these years and chatting about. It's also very focused on the white girl version of the world, but it's one of those books that can still be identifiable for a lot of young readers because of the larger themes at play (but hey, if you have other diverse options - say, Little Divas or Stef Soto, Taco Queen perhaps - for this age group and focused on similar themes, by all means).