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... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385736010
• ISBN13: 9780385736015
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 258 Pages
• Weight: 0.50 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.1" x 7.9"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

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. Reviewed by: Andrea

A twist on teenage popularity

Sam Klein has always wanted to be popular. Unfortunately for her, she is one of the most unpopular students at Woodlawn High. Then, Woodlawn High's most popular student, Kylie moves next door! This is Sam's chance to become popular. Sam soon learns that Kylie's popularity is because of a magical skin. There is one skin for every high school, and the skin means popularity. Sam must steal this skin from Kylie, so she can become popular. However, is popularity really want Sam wants? Worst of all, the more Sam wears the skin, the tighter it becomes... Second Skin is a fun and light-hearted read. The word that best describes Sam is desperate. She has two great friends, yet all she cares about is popularity. I think there is a small part in most of us that can relate to wanting to be more popular, but by no means will we do what Sam does to achieve popularity. Most people don't want to be more popular when they realize they could lose what they already have. Sam is one of those people who could care less. As desperate as Sam was though, I did not find her to be annoying. She realizes she shouldn't care about popularity, but she does. There was one thing that bothered me about Sam. She didn't realize the power of her popularity. Her parents are eco-friendly people, and one day Sam brings green bags over the one of the popular girl's house. Because of Sam's popularity, everyone loved the bag. It just seemed like she could have used her popularity to make her fake friends like her real friends. Of course, this would have ruined the story, but it slightly bothered me. Something I did like about Second Skin was the ending. In the end, Sam got something that she wanted from the beginning, but in a way she or the readers would not have expected! Other than the ending, however, the book was predictable, but what else could you expect? No book's going to have a protagonist that had her *~dreams come true~* once she became popular. Overall, Second Skin is not a groundbreaking read, but if you're in the mood to read something light, then I suggest it.

A Fun Read!

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? One of the best things about this book is that any one of us can relate to this story. Who hasn't, if only for a moment, wanted to be someone else? I mean hello???? Where do you think the phrase "The grass is always greener" came from? We've all been there, whether it's money, looks or personality we've all secretly wished we had "it" from time to time! Sam Klein isn't popular or unpopular...she's that girl that if someone points her out you might say "Does she even go to our school?" She has her two best friends, Gwen who gets teased for being chubby, but is on track to being the next Martha Stewart and Alex, kinda nerdy but cute and an expert on all things outer space. Sam's parents aren't helping her out either because they are all about recycling, saving the seals, and not shopping at any giant retail shops that use cheap labor, which of course pretty much includes every popular brand out there. So, when the opportunity to nab the Skin arises...of course she takes it! This is a really fun, quick read that is not at all heavy handed, but is definitely a cautionary tale about what can happen when we wish for things that seem really great...until we get them. With an eye-catching cover and a great story this book is sure to be a hit with middle school and high school chick-lit fans!

Lost in a Book's Review

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!