SOLVED. YA about making over a nerdy girl as a "project." [s]

[Jessica]

I read this book in the early '90's, and it had a very '80's cover, with a girl in a silky green shirt brushing her long dark hair. The popular girl at a high school, a blonde named Jen, decided to make over this shy, nerdy girl along with her friends, a trio of popular boys. The "project" girl had long dark hair, and was quite beautiful, but her mother had died when she was little, and she had no idea how to dress or wear make up. She ends up becoming good friends with the popular kids, who genuinely like her, and Jen starts dating a wild guy from another school who drives a car with flames painted on it. There's, of course, the standard: You only befriended me as a project?! moment.

[Erin]

Oh dang, I think I read this too. Wasn't the afterschool special "The Great Love Experiment" based on it? Although I'm not finding a matching book...I'll keep looking

[Jessica]

I've never seen the After School Special, but looking it up on Imdb, I think you're right! How do I find the book, now?

[Erin]

I've been looking but I'm not coming up with much yet. It's driving me crazy! I've found other books I remember reading though, so I guess I've gotten something out of this search so far...I'll keep looking!

[Jessica]

If that was also the title of the book, it's not coming up anywhere, even on Google, and neither is the author, Jeffrey Findley (that's according to Imdb.com). So irritating!

[Donna]

If that special is based on the book, the person credited as the writer on IMDB should be the person who wrote up the television adaptation - which is usually done by a writer other than the original author.

[Jessica]

I found it! Yes, it turns out that was the author of the "teleplay". Sometimes Imdb.com lists the author of the book as well. Anyhoo! The book is called The Great Lakeside High Experiment, and is by Neil Selden! I found the After School Special on YouTube and watched the first five minutes, to see the credits, and sure enough, "Based on the book . . ." etc. Huzzah! (The After School Special looks terrible, by the way. Although it is starring Tracey Pollan, Esai Morales, and Jennifer Grey!)

[Erin]

Awesome!!!

[Thempper]

It's a movie just like that.

[Rainbowheart]

The Great Lakeside High Experiment for the link.

[Jessica]

Rainbowheart wrote: "The Great Lakeside High Experiment for the link."

Thank you!