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Second Skin
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?
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?
258 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2009
12 people are currently reading
395 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
March 24, 2011
All Sam wants is to be popular. Her best friends, Gwen and Alex are content with their "things", and couldn't care less about high school popularity--overweigh Gwen is a foodie and gourmet chef, and quirky Alex is a stargazing car-tinkerer. But Sam is desperate to be part of the in-crowd.
And then she discovers that her high school's it-girl has a secret: her popularity didn't come from her fashion sense, or innate coolness, or anything else that can be duplicated naturally. She has a Skin, a magical bit of wonder, and when she slips it on, it makes her the queen bee. Once Sam finds out, she can't help herself, and steals the Skin for herself. Now, her star is on the rise, and she's getting everything she ever thought she wanted. But at what cost?
It's not that this is a bad book. It's fine. It's just completely derivative and unoriginal. From the first chapter, you know exactly how everything will play out. It's entirely formulaic.
And you know what? I'm sick of books that are cautionary tales about teen popularity. I'm sick of the books where a nerd yearns to be cool, only to discover that popularity isn't all that, and her old life with her old nerdy friends who like her for herself is 400% better than everything she always thought she wanted.
There are so many of them, and they're starting to read like sour graps written by nerdy girls who wanted to be cool in high school. [Note: I myself was a nerdy girl in high school, and a nerdy girl now. I've got nothing against the nerd life.] Can we maybe have one book in which nerdy girl achieves popularity and discovers that it IS all that? Or something to break from this stream of cautionary tales that reassure nerds that it's way better to be uncool?
And then she discovers that her high school's it-girl has a secret: her popularity didn't come from her fashion sense, or innate coolness, or anything else that can be duplicated naturally. She has a Skin, a magical bit of wonder, and when she slips it on, it makes her the queen bee. Once Sam finds out, she can't help herself, and steals the Skin for herself. Now, her star is on the rise, and she's getting everything she ever thought she wanted. But at what cost?
It's not that this is a bad book. It's fine. It's just completely derivative and unoriginal. From the first chapter, you know exactly how everything will play out. It's entirely formulaic.
And you know what? I'm sick of books that are cautionary tales about teen popularity. I'm sick of the books where a nerd yearns to be cool, only to discover that popularity isn't all that, and her old life with her old nerdy friends who like her for herself is 400% better than everything she always thought she wanted.
There are so many of them, and they're starting to read like sour graps written by nerdy girls who wanted to be cool in high school. [Note: I myself was a nerdy girl in high school, and a nerdy girl now. I've got nothing against the nerd life.] Can we maybe have one book in which nerdy girl achieves popularity and discovers that it IS all that? Or something to break from this stream of cautionary tales that reassure nerds that it's way better to be uncool?
September 21, 2009
Second Skin was a very new take on popularity. Instead of being something that was based on looks, clothes, and friends, it was based on the Second Skin. It’s like this thing that makes you popular overnight, all you have to do is wear it over your own skin. How weird is that?
From the very start of the book, I knew I wasn’t going to like Sam Klein. She was horribly rude to her friends and her whole goal in life was to become popular. I couldn’t believe how shallow and self-centered she was. She had two great friends but they weren’t popular so she wasn’t happy with them. And as soon as she got the Skin she pretty much ditched the only two people who really liked her. I found that super annoying.
Then there was the plot. I couldn’t really find one, other than Sam getting the Skin so she could be the most popular girl in school. It may be a plot but I didn’t think it was a very good one. It seemed like once she got the Skin the whole point of the book was to just talk about her new popularity. And yeah everything changes in the end, including Sam’s personality, but I didn’t think it was enough to make the book good.
Overall I was really disappointed in Second Skin and it’s something I won’t ever read again. This is another one of those books I highly recommend getting from your local library.
From the very start of the book, I knew I wasn’t going to like Sam Klein. She was horribly rude to her friends and her whole goal in life was to become popular. I couldn’t believe how shallow and self-centered she was. She had two great friends but they weren’t popular so she wasn’t happy with them. And as soon as she got the Skin she pretty much ditched the only two people who really liked her. I found that super annoying.
Then there was the plot. I couldn’t really find one, other than Sam getting the Skin so she could be the most popular girl in school. It may be a plot but I didn’t think it was a very good one. It seemed like once she got the Skin the whole point of the book was to just talk about her new popularity. And yeah everything changes in the end, including Sam’s personality, but I didn’t think it was enough to make the book good.
Overall I was really disappointed in Second Skin and it’s something I won’t ever read again. This is another one of those books I highly recommend getting from your local library.
October 5, 2009
The best damned modern interpretation of "Portrait of Dorian Gray" for the teen set EVER.
June 27, 2009
This book was weird. It was like an extraterrestrial life-form came to Earth and crawled onto unsuspecting teenage girls.
Second Skin told of a girl who wanted to be popular and she’s desperate. Desperate enough that she’s willing to steal a Skin. Not just any skin but the Skin. The one that transform you from nobody and somebody.
Sam grows through a journey where she questions if popularity is what she truly wanted. I mean she practically destroyed her old friendship and instead made new ones that was every bit as cliché as a teenage reality TV series—bimbos. Sam develops and realizes what true friends are and is finally released from her imprisonment in the Second Skin. Because duh, that’s her heroines are supposed to do!
The book was a light and quick read from start to finish. Cute but nothing sickeningly sweet. I love the extra food fact, go green statements, and the healthy choice to support independent businesses (because we’re all about the Indie Bookstores).
Overall: Simple but cute.
Second Skin told of a girl who wanted to be popular and she’s desperate. Desperate enough that she’s willing to steal a Skin. Not just any skin but the Skin. The one that transform you from nobody and somebody.
Sam grows through a journey where she questions if popularity is what she truly wanted. I mean she practically destroyed her old friendship and instead made new ones that was every bit as cliché as a teenage reality TV series—bimbos. Sam develops and realizes what true friends are and is finally released from her imprisonment in the Second Skin. Because duh, that’s her heroines are supposed to do!
The book was a light and quick read from start to finish. Cute but nothing sickeningly sweet. I love the extra food fact, go green statements, and the healthy choice to support independent businesses (because we’re all about the Indie Bookstores).
Overall: Simple but cute.
April 29, 2009
I didn't give this four stars because of its literary quality. I gave this four stars because it's just an enjoyable, fun, light read.
Sam is dying to be popular. She thinks opportunity knocks when Kyle, the "it girl" in school moves next door. But Kylie wants nothing to do with her. But Sam persists and therefore finds out Kylie's secret to popularity. A second skin. Slip it on and suddenly everyone notices you. So Sam steals the skin from Kylie and now it's her turn to be popular.
Somewhat predictable... okay very predictable plot... but still a lot of fun.
Sam is dying to be popular. She thinks opportunity knocks when Kyle, the "it girl" in school moves next door. But Kylie wants nothing to do with her. But Sam persists and therefore finds out Kylie's secret to popularity. A second skin. Slip it on and suddenly everyone notices you. So Sam steals the skin from Kylie and now it's her turn to be popular.
Somewhat predictable... okay very predictable plot... but still a lot of fun.
June 6, 2013
This book could have been so much more interesting. It had a good premise, it had interesting characters, but in the end, it was just... meh.
The feelings of the characters wasn't explored. I don't think they responded as passionately as real teens would have. I don't think there were appropriate consequences for her actions. I don't think there was proper explanation of the reason why the skin started to malfunction.
Basically, I think the story needed another round of revision.
At least it was a quick read.
The feelings of the characters wasn't explored. I don't think they responded as passionately as real teens would have. I don't think there were appropriate consequences for her actions. I don't think there was proper explanation of the reason why the skin started to malfunction.
Basically, I think the story needed another round of revision.
At least it was a quick read.
June 5, 2016
I grabbed this book off my shelf thinking it would be a quick and easy read. This was one of the weirdest books ever.it left so much not explained it was super aggravating.
*SPOILERS*
When Kylie removed the skin I was for sure she was going to be an alien but no it was just a skin that made you popular. Now I haven't read anything like this but it was way too bazaar. There was no explaination where or who the skin came from so that bugged me because I wanted to know who was in charge haha.
Anyways it was a quick read just not what I expected.
*SPOILERS*
When Kylie removed the skin I was for sure she was going to be an alien but no it was just a skin that made you popular. Now I haven't read anything like this but it was way too bazaar. There was no explaination where or who the skin came from so that bugged me because I wanted to know who was in charge haha.
Anyways it was a quick read just not what I expected.
July 4, 2013
This book was so easy to read. I gave it three stars but in terms of writing style it's more like a two. I just had to know what happened to the second skin. The plot was predictable, the characters pretty one dimensional and it lacked the sophistication of most current YA novels still I think the idea was pretty original and I actually enjoyed it. I would recommend it.
April 28, 2016
This book was a little confusing in the storyline, but overall, it was quite interesting and I really enjoy it. I also like the message it sends, which I conveyed as 1) don't try to be someone you aren't, and 2) if something isn't yours, it wasn't meant to be.
May 24, 2010
How bizarre! One of my students wanted me to read this so I did. Strange what teenage girls will do to be popular!!
March 17, 2013
another chic flic but still, Second Skin gives readers a moral lesson... its becoming who you are and accepting it. ;)
May 11, 2013
Only made it 50 pages in before I lost interest.
February 25, 2015
this book was a pritty good book. I loved how wel i could relate to it.
November 1, 2016
i loved this book so much! I like how in the end she makes everything right again then she has her Normal life back
July 22, 2017
When I found out the reason for the popularity I thought the concept was stupid. But in the end I liked how the story ended.
April 8, 2021
While I would not say this book is absolutely awful, it’s not great either. In fact, it’s not even good. It’s bad. But that’s ok. This book comes off as overly preachy, with a thinly veiled moral that you don’t need to be popular, you just need to be yourself. And while that is true, I didn’t start caring about the main character until she had the “skin”. The “skin” of course referring to the actual skin she stole from the most popular girl in school, when she learns that the skin is what makes you popular. It is only when she gets the skin and starts making more friends that I actually began to enjoy this story. Her friends before were annoying, and overall losers, so it was nice to see her get some excitement in her life. Even if it was because she stole a skin from the most popular girl in school and then began stealing her life. Overall this book seems like the type a middle school counselor would force you to read to teach you that popularity is unnecessary, you just need to be yourself.
August 31, 2015
By : Kayli
Second Skin
Written by : Jessica Wollman
Genre: Fiction
Have you ever felt the need to be popular ? This book is about a girl named Sam Klein. She's not very popular. Actually she wasn't popular at all. Nobody ever noticed her or had anything to do with her. They judged her by her friends , her clothes and everything else they didn't agree with. Sounds pretty much like society, right? Sam becomes obsessive & does crazy research on "how to become popular".
Wonder why she wants to be popular? that would be because of this girl named Kylie Frank. Kylie Frank is the most beautiful & popular girl in the whole Woodlawn High School. Well, what Sam doesn't know is that Kylie isn't popular because she's herself . But Sam will soon find out how Kylie's so popular when Sam decides to sneak into her Room while she's undressing and notices something strange. Kylie's taking off ANOTHER layer of skin. Sam is so shocked she bursts out of Kylie's room of which she's hiding in. "What is that" Kylie was so astonished. At the end of it. Somehow Sam ended up with the Skin (she snuck in Kylie's house & stole it) and instantly it changes her status from low life to popular .
Just like that! Her whole life changed. New friends, party invitations, a boyfriend. What Sam doesn't realize is that she's losing her real friends. Sam becomes this total wreck. She starts lying to her mom, her "true" friends. Her grades fall. Her boyfriends a different subject. Not is he the most handsome, and popular. He's Sams rivals ex boyfriend. Not only that. Her parents don't know about it. This is where the lying comes in. Everyone knows that if you tell one lie you tell more to cover up. She starts lying about where she's going, where she's been. Her life's a MESS! She's trying to balance
Meanwhile Kylie's life is drastically changing too. And it's all to what Sam thinks is her benefit. You see the skin is invisible to others . But it's supposed to be something like magical. So common sense tells Kylie that Sam has stolen the skin. 1. Being that Sams now popular & Kylie's not . & 2. Being that Kylie was the only person that knew about Kylie's little/big secret. When Kylie confronts Sam. Of course Sams in denial. When all this continues , finally kylie confronts Sam again . At the end of the book and Sams so tired of lying, and hiding and all the other chaos she admits she stole it and gives it back.
Sam dumps her boyfriend but doesn't completely lose her popularity . Her and Kylie are still friends.
Opinion:
I absolutely love this book. For my age its relatable. It teaches you that being popular isn't everything. And if you insist on being popular. Do it in the right way! Show others your a leader. Do what you know is right. And others will eventually see that your getting somewhere with each choice you make. Don't give up everything. this book is more about jealously then popularity. All in all this book was AMAZING! Definitely 5 stars.
Second Skin
Written by : Jessica Wollman
Genre: Fiction
Have you ever felt the need to be popular ? This book is about a girl named Sam Klein. She's not very popular. Actually she wasn't popular at all. Nobody ever noticed her or had anything to do with her. They judged her by her friends , her clothes and everything else they didn't agree with. Sounds pretty much like society, right? Sam becomes obsessive & does crazy research on "how to become popular".
Wonder why she wants to be popular? that would be because of this girl named Kylie Frank. Kylie Frank is the most beautiful & popular girl in the whole Woodlawn High School. Well, what Sam doesn't know is that Kylie isn't popular because she's herself . But Sam will soon find out how Kylie's so popular when Sam decides to sneak into her Room while she's undressing and notices something strange. Kylie's taking off ANOTHER layer of skin. Sam is so shocked she bursts out of Kylie's room of which she's hiding in. "What is that" Kylie was so astonished. At the end of it. Somehow Sam ended up with the Skin (she snuck in Kylie's house & stole it) and instantly it changes her status from low life to popular .
Just like that! Her whole life changed. New friends, party invitations, a boyfriend. What Sam doesn't realize is that she's losing her real friends. Sam becomes this total wreck. She starts lying to her mom, her "true" friends. Her grades fall. Her boyfriends a different subject. Not is he the most handsome, and popular. He's Sams rivals ex boyfriend. Not only that. Her parents don't know about it. This is where the lying comes in. Everyone knows that if you tell one lie you tell more to cover up. She starts lying about where she's going, where she's been. Her life's a MESS! She's trying to balance
Meanwhile Kylie's life is drastically changing too. And it's all to what Sam thinks is her benefit. You see the skin is invisible to others . But it's supposed to be something like magical. So common sense tells Kylie that Sam has stolen the skin. 1. Being that Sams now popular & Kylie's not . & 2. Being that Kylie was the only person that knew about Kylie's little/big secret. When Kylie confronts Sam. Of course Sams in denial. When all this continues , finally kylie confronts Sam again . At the end of the book and Sams so tired of lying, and hiding and all the other chaos she admits she stole it and gives it back.
Sam dumps her boyfriend but doesn't completely lose her popularity . Her and Kylie are still friends.
Opinion:
I absolutely love this book. For my age its relatable. It teaches you that being popular isn't everything. And if you insist on being popular. Do it in the right way! Show others your a leader. Do what you know is right. And others will eventually see that your getting somewhere with each choice you make. Don't give up everything. this book is more about jealously then popularity. All in all this book was AMAZING! Definitely 5 stars.
February 21, 2019
"Second Skin" is an interesting take on the age old question of how to be popular. In this case, it is a mysterious 'skin' that makes its users 'popular'. Every high school has one skin and no one can know about it.
The main character was not very likable, but this is a quick, easy read.
The main character was not very likable, but this is a quick, easy read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 11, 2010
Second Skin was an intriguing read that continually held my attention, but it was a bit.... strange and weird, at times.
Second Skin is based on the idea that every It-girl out there didn't just get that way on her on, instead she has a second skin made of polestar, which gives her the magic to be popular, loved, and envied by all. Yeah, as said above, it was certainly interesting, but strange at the same time. Though the one good thing that came from it's weirdness is that it made me constantly curious about all things evolving the skin, which made this a fast paced read.
I liked Jess in a lot in the beginning, because she was a unique girl who had her friends backs constantly. Though, as the story continued, and she got so obsessed with popularity that she did a complete 180 degree turn; she changed into someone who instead was unoriginal, annoying, and the absolute worst characteristic of all -selfish. This change lead me not to like her for most of the rest of the book because she constantly was a witch to everyone who truly cared about her instead vying for the attention of the elite. Thankfully, she did finally get her head screwed back place by the end allowing me to have a little bit of respect for her.
On the other hand, I liked her two best friends, Alex and Gwen, a lot as well as Kylie. All of them stood on there own, and I always was happy to see scenes that contained them.
Probably the most important thing that came from this book was the message that popularity truly isn't everything; instead it's better if you have a few really fantastic friends who always have your pack, not people who are constantly trying to rip you down and replace you. While I do always think this message is important, it's one that's been talked about so many times, it's become a bit unoriginal over time. I mean a story that contained someone seeing that popularity truly was everything that they could ever want, now that could be original.
In all, Second Skin is a great in between read, but it certainly not something you should rush to buy ASAP. Though, with saying that, I think I may still continue to read more by Ms. Wollman because she does have interesting ideas, even if the execution isn't always up to par.
Grade: C
Second Skin is based on the idea that every It-girl out there didn't just get that way on her on, instead she has a second skin made of polestar, which gives her the magic to be popular, loved, and envied by all. Yeah, as said above, it was certainly interesting, but strange at the same time. Though the one good thing that came from it's weirdness is that it made me constantly curious about all things evolving the skin, which made this a fast paced read.
I liked Jess in a lot in the beginning, because she was a unique girl who had her friends backs constantly. Though, as the story continued, and she got so obsessed with popularity that she did a complete 180 degree turn; she changed into someone who instead was unoriginal, annoying, and the absolute worst characteristic of all -selfish. This change lead me not to like her for most of the rest of the book because she constantly was a witch to everyone who truly cared about her instead vying for the attention of the elite. Thankfully, she did finally get her head screwed back place by the end allowing me to have a little bit of respect for her.
On the other hand, I liked her two best friends, Alex and Gwen, a lot as well as Kylie. All of them stood on there own, and I always was happy to see scenes that contained them.
Probably the most important thing that came from this book was the message that popularity truly isn't everything; instead it's better if you have a few really fantastic friends who always have your pack, not people who are constantly trying to rip you down and replace you. While I do always think this message is important, it's one that's been talked about so many times, it's become a bit unoriginal over time. I mean a story that contained someone seeing that popularity truly was everything that they could ever want, now that could be original.
In all, Second Skin is a great in between read, but it certainly not something you should rush to buy ASAP. Though, with saying that, I think I may still continue to read more by Ms. Wollman because she does have interesting ideas, even if the execution isn't always up to par.
Grade: C
August 10, 2009
Have you ever wondered what makes someone popular? Is it the hair, clothes and make-up? Maybe it's how she acts or who she knows. Ever thought it could be that she's got money or power? What does put some people on the top rung of the social ladder while others are stuck hanging on from below? What possible advantage could the A-Listers have that the rest of us don't? Well, what if there is more to it than we could ever imagine?
Samantha Kline is an ordinary girl with a less than ordinary status at school. In fact, she pretty mush has no status. In other words, she's a nobody. Sam has always been on the outside looking in, wishing she could be part of the in-crowd, imagining what life would be like if she was popular. The parties, the glamour, the guys, the good life. Unfortunately, along with the nobody status comes the fact that the beautiful people don't even know she exists. Sam does have her two best friends to keep her company in the back end of the alphabet, so being Z-list isn't that bad. One friend, Gwen, is an aspiring chef, so at least the food is good. Her other loyal companion, Alex, is always there to make her smile and he's a math wiz, which is a big help for Sam's number challenged brain. As much as Sam has, she still feels like she needs more. Things will change soon enough when Kylie Frank, the most popular girl in school moves next door to her.
One night, after Kylie throws a party that gets out of hand, Sam finds an opportunity to help her out. This leads to Sam discovering the truth about why Kylie, and others like her are so popular. She finds out that beauty really is "Skin" deep. Nothing can prepare her for the true secret to popularity, but now that she does know, she decides to sieze the opportunity and make it happen for herself. As Sam tries popularity on for size and begins to climb the social ladder she will also realize that it's a little lonely at the top. Maybe the green grass that she's only seen from the other side is really just astro-turf, all plastic and not very comfortable to sit on.
Samantha Kline is an ordinary girl with a less than ordinary status at school. In fact, she pretty mush has no status. In other words, she's a nobody. Sam has always been on the outside looking in, wishing she could be part of the in-crowd, imagining what life would be like if she was popular. The parties, the glamour, the guys, the good life. Unfortunately, along with the nobody status comes the fact that the beautiful people don't even know she exists. Sam does have her two best friends to keep her company in the back end of the alphabet, so being Z-list isn't that bad. One friend, Gwen, is an aspiring chef, so at least the food is good. Her other loyal companion, Alex, is always there to make her smile and he's a math wiz, which is a big help for Sam's number challenged brain. As much as Sam has, she still feels like she needs more. Things will change soon enough when Kylie Frank, the most popular girl in school moves next door to her.
One night, after Kylie throws a party that gets out of hand, Sam finds an opportunity to help her out. This leads to Sam discovering the truth about why Kylie, and others like her are so popular. She finds out that beauty really is "Skin" deep. Nothing can prepare her for the true secret to popularity, but now that she does know, she decides to sieze the opportunity and make it happen for herself. As Sam tries popularity on for size and begins to climb the social ladder she will also realize that it's a little lonely at the top. Maybe the green grass that she's only seen from the other side is really just astro-turf, all plastic and not very comfortable to sit on.
July 23, 2009
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!
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!
March 15, 2010
Well Second Skin was… interesting. That’s all I can say. I didn’t enjoy it, but I didn’t dislike it. The whole book revolved around the main character, Sam, who was obsessed with popularity, popular people, and being popular herself. I understand at times some people will wish they were more popular, but for Sam it was her life. She secretly disrespected her best friends, hated her parents, and scorned herself. I just didn’t like Sam at all. The fact that when the chance came for her to actually be popular- she takes way too much advantage of it, and I think everyone forgave her way too easily.
Sam was really mean to her friends and completely ruined Kylie’s life, but for some reason everyone still liked Sam after everything was over. Sam was terrible to her friends and even broke her best friend’s heart, and I think everyone got over it too easily. Sam jumped from one group of friends to another and one boyfriend to another with a snap.
Now I don’t want to completely smash this novel, because I think the premise was an original idea. Second Skin also showed that popularity isn’t as great as it seems and that people aren’t always how they appear. I’m happy with Kylie’s decision in the end, but for some reason wished everyone had just turned against Sam. I know that sounds mean- but I really felt she deserved it, after she ruined so many lives and was so horrible to everyone. All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this. It was a quick read, but one I didn’t really enjoy. It was a original idea, and possible worth a read if popularity is up your ally, but I just didn’t get anything out of it.
Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
Sam was really mean to her friends and completely ruined Kylie’s life, but for some reason everyone still liked Sam after everything was over. Sam was terrible to her friends and even broke her best friend’s heart, and I think everyone got over it too easily. Sam jumped from one group of friends to another and one boyfriend to another with a snap.
Now I don’t want to completely smash this novel, because I think the premise was an original idea. Second Skin also showed that popularity isn’t as great as it seems and that people aren’t always how they appear. I’m happy with Kylie’s decision in the end, but for some reason wished everyone had just turned against Sam. I know that sounds mean- but I really felt she deserved it, after she ruined so many lives and was so horrible to everyone. All in all, I wouldn’t really recommend this. It was a quick read, but one I didn’t really enjoy. It was a original idea, and possible worth a read if popularity is up your ally, but I just didn’t get anything out of it.
Overall: 3 out of 5 stars
December 17, 2009
Second Skin by Jessica Wallman is about a girl named Sam who is dying to be Kylie, a popular girl in her school. When Sam finds out Kylie is moving next door, she gets exciting, figuring this is a way to get popular. A few days after Kylie moves in, Sam sneaks into her house to look for her. She finds Kylie and is surprised to find out that its not just Kylies personality that makes her popular, its something else.
Text to text connection. I would connect this to Rymes with Witches. Its about a girl named Jane who would do anything to be popular, including betraying her friends. Sam and Jane are both similar because they would do anything to get into a higher rank.
I would give this book 3 stars. Its an okay book and i liked it in some parts but it wasnt very interesting. I found it hard to believe that a nice girl such as Sam would betray her friends and just zoom into anothre life like they dont exist.
I reccomend the Ryhmes with Witches book.
Text to text connection. I would connect this to Rymes with Witches. Its about a girl named Jane who would do anything to be popular, including betraying her friends. Sam and Jane are both similar because they would do anything to get into a higher rank.
I would give this book 3 stars. Its an okay book and i liked it in some parts but it wasnt very interesting. I found it hard to believe that a nice girl such as Sam would betray her friends and just zoom into anothre life like they dont exist.
I reccomend the Ryhmes with Witches book.
December 4, 2009
Reviewed by Andrea for TeensReadToo.com
Samantha Klein will do anything it takes to be popular and to be part of the "In" crowd. And when she discovers the secret to just how the current queen of the A-list got her popularity, Sam makes the secret her own.
But once she gets her wish, she might just discover that it's not all that it's cracked up to be.
I thought that this was a cute book. I liked the idea of a second skin - I thought it was a new concept, or at least one that I hadn't read before. And while there was nothing too deep in the book, the message about popularity and being yourself did come across in an intriguing way.
I read SECOND SKIN in one sitting, so it's an easy-to-read story with a great theme.
Samantha Klein will do anything it takes to be popular and to be part of the "In" crowd. And when she discovers the secret to just how the current queen of the A-list got her popularity, Sam makes the secret her own.
But once she gets her wish, she might just discover that it's not all that it's cracked up to be.
I thought that this was a cute book. I liked the idea of a second skin - I thought it was a new concept, or at least one that I hadn't read before. And while there was nothing too deep in the book, the message about popularity and being yourself did come across in an intriguing way.
I read SECOND SKIN in one sitting, so it's an easy-to-read story with a great theme.
October 21, 2009
Sam is the not so popular girl at school. That is until the most popular girl in the whole school moves next door to her. Kylie has some secrets of her own. Sam quickly becomes popular out of the blue then looses it all. The secret is skin. Kylie has a fake skin which somehow makes her really popular.
I can make a text to world connection, lots of girls who are "losers" and they take a popular girls things to become popular. but then karma adds up and they are losers again. Karma is BAD. But it is also good, they see what they did to their friend and they get their own medicine.
I gave this book 5 stars. This book was good and sad at the same time. All Sam wanted to be was popular, and she thought staling the skin was her only chance.
I can make a text to world connection, lots of girls who are "losers" and they take a popular girls things to become popular. but then karma adds up and they are losers again. Karma is BAD. But it is also good, they see what they did to their friend and they get their own medicine.
I gave this book 5 stars. This book was good and sad at the same time. All Sam wanted to be was popular, and she thought staling the skin was her only chance.
November 29, 2009
Samantha Klein will do anything it takes to be popular and to be part of the A-list crowd. And when she discovers the secret to just how the current queen of the A-list got her popularity, Sam makes the secret her own. But once she gets her wish, she might just discover that its not all that it's cracked up to be.
I thought that this was a cute book. I liked the idea of a second skin--I thought it was a new concept, or at least one that I hadn't read before. And while there was nothing too deep in the book, the message about popularity and being yourself did come across in an intruiging way. I read this book in one sitting so its an easy-to-read, story with a great theme.
I thought that this was a cute book. I liked the idea of a second skin--I thought it was a new concept, or at least one that I hadn't read before. And while there was nothing too deep in the book, the message about popularity and being yourself did come across in an intruiging way. I read this book in one sitting so its an easy-to-read, story with a great theme.
February 10, 2015
Samantha Klein was a nobody. She and her geek clique were invisible. They were students of Woodlawn High too, but no one but the A-listers mattered. That's who she wanted to be: an A-lister, but pretty clothes, cool friends, and a nice personality wouldn't get her there. The it-girl of Woodlawn High, Kylie, had her own secret to popularity. So what was Samantha's path to popularity? Lies, secrets, and theft. Then when Kylie's social life plummets and Samantha's flies everything she loves starts fading. Can she pull her life back together before it's washed away under her fame? "Second Skin" by Jessica Wollman is a story of identity, friendship, and honesty.
January 13, 2017
Second Skin was very interesting. Samantha Klein, a high school student wishes she could be popular and watched the popular girl almost everyday. It just so happens that Kylie the popular girl moves next door to Sam.One Day Sam notices Kylie take off this body suit which is called the "skin". Sam sneaks into the house and takes it so she can borrow it. She has learned that she become really popular after wearing it, so she keeps it on everyday, till it becomes stuck. In the end she gives it back because she learns that popularity isn't everything.
August 9, 2009
My thoughts:
Second Skin was not what I expected, it was better! Not the typical want to be popular story, by any means. The skin aspect was so unique and I was shocked at how in-depth Jessica was able to get. Usually if a book has fantasy in it then an author gets detached. Go buy a copy!
Recommendation: A must for all teen girls!
What I was hearing as I wrote: Fire Burning- Sean Kingston and Long Shot- Katy Perry
Second Skin was not what I expected, it was better! Not the typical want to be popular story, by any means. The skin aspect was so unique and I was shocked at how in-depth Jessica was able to get. Usually if a book has fantasy in it then an author gets detached. Go buy a copy!
Recommendation: A must for all teen girls!
What I was hearing as I wrote: Fire Burning- Sean Kingston and Long Shot- Katy Perry
March 5, 2015
New girl, Samantha Klein, wants what most people want... popularity. But after stealing the key to popularity it gets stuck. She needs to make the most important decision return it or not. Did she make the right choice?
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