“The Geeks Shall Inherit the Earth: Popularity, Quirk Theory, and Why Outsiders Thrive After High School” is full of stories about youthful perceptions and their significance into adulthood. Author Alexandra Robbins has once again brought the self-help genre into the realm of the teenager, validating the many struggles of high school. If you were a loner as a teen, or your child sits alone in the high school cafeteria, then the stories in these pages may offer you some reassurance about the future. After all, there is a reason that TV shows and movies about geeks usually get the best ratings.

Following seven kids with vastly different reputations, the book looks at the psychology that makes school act as a social pressure chamber for so many students. You can get a glimpse of what it is like to be popular, unpopular, or anywhere in between in high school. Robbins reveals how the unusual qualities that she refers to as “quirks” translate into admirable traits in adulthood. In fact, she asserts that popular teens feel more pressure to live up to their reputations, and lose what makes them unique. Meanwhile, the geeks and nerds can focus on their studies and hobbies.

The main idea is that high school quite simply does not represent how the real world works. However, the author also addresses the fact that some cliques can exist outside of school and suggests how to deal with them. Even adult readers can benefit from Robbins’ guidance, which stems from the idea that not fitting in needs not be a barrier to success. In fact, the book gives some examples, such as technology leaders and famous TV personalities, that show how geeks and former unpopular kids have already found favor in modern society. If you could use a boost of confidence, then this book can uplift you and help you to see your potential.