Arts & Entertainment

Teen Lands $300K Book Deal Following Tips From Teaneck Author

Former model from Teaneck offered 50s etiquette tips

A teenager who followed tips on becoming popular from a 1950’s etiquette book authored by a Teaneck-native has landed a $300,000 two-book deal and could turn her story into a feature film.


The teen, Maya Van Wagenen, chronicled her experience making friends at a Brownsville, Texas school by following tips in “Betty Cornell’s Teen-age Popularity Guide,” the New York Post reported.


Cornell’s book includes advice including how to properly squeeze pimples, wearing white gloves, girdles and pearls. Advice from the Teaneck-native and former model isn’t all superficial, however.

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“Be yourself, don’t put on airs, treat everybody with the same kindness,’’ the 86-year-old Cornell told the Post, through her daugher.


The teen’s “social experiment” has spurred new interest in the dated etiquette book with copies reportedly selling for as much as $118 on used book websites.  

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“I thought I would never hear about the book again,’’ Cornell said.


For her part, Van Wagenen’s book “Popular: Vintage Wisdom for a Modern Geek’’ is set for release in April.


DreamWorks has also optioned movie rights to the 15-year-old’s story, according to Deadline.com.



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