The Popularity Papers

By Amy Ignatow

Book Overview

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia's the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie's the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don't translate into instant popularity. Lydia ends up with a bald spot, their parents won't stop yelling, and Julie finds herself the number-one crush of Roland Asbj rnsen. Worse, they seem to be drifting farther and farther from their goal--and each other. Amy Ignatow's hilarious debut novel introduces the intrepid fifth-graders Julie and Lydia, whose quest to understand popularity may not succeed in the ways they want, but will succeed in keeping readers in stitches. From Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books: Lydia and Julie, BFFs since birth, are now preparing to enter junior high, and they're on a mission to become popular. First, however, they have to determine exactly how popularity is achieved, so they decide to approach the matter as any good scientist would: observe those creatures already at the height of popularity and apply said observations to themselves, in the hopes of cracking into that mysterious world of junior-high stardom. The two record their observations and the often spectacularly unsuccessful outcomes of their various social experiments in a scrapbook-like journal, complete with notes passed at school, lists of projected popularity goals, and credibly goofy and kidlike drawings. The story here is fairly familiar: the girls fail miserably at their first attempts at the A-list (Lydia's hair falls out after a botched dye job, among other disasters) but eventually find acceptance in the upper echelon, only to learn the valuable lesson that it's the people you're most comfortable around who make the best friends. The diary format, however, adds an extra dimension of funny, and as in Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid series about Greg Heffley, it allows Julie and Lydia to come alive through their witty dialogue, their perceptive commentary, and even their characteristic handwriting. Secondary characters shine as well, particularly Julie's embarrassing but ultimately charming two dads, along with Lydia's goth-punk sister, a font of random quips and junior high wisdom. The popular kids end up being far from perfect and each has issues of her own to contend with, making the actual friendships that form among the girls all the more endearing. Those waiting for the next installment of Greg Heffley's adventures will be well served by this amusing experiment in sixth-grade celebrity. KQG

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0810984210
• ISBN13: 9780810984219
• Release Date: April 2010
• Publisher: Amulet Books
• Length: 204 Pages
• Weight: 1.11 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.4" x 8.1"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

i wish this book had been around when i was young!

This book is such a wonderful book! First off, the story itself is well written. It's funny, it's silly, it's a good time. What really makes it though, is the wonderful visual experience that the book creates. It is hand written (not a font, but actually done by the author), fully illustrated in color on every page, and includes things like a knitting sample that looks like it has been attached in to the book. Children of the target age group will relate and love this book, and adults will enjoy the thoughtfulness, wit, and level of attention that Amy Ignatow applies to every aspect of The Popularity Papers. In some ways, it reminds me of watching The Muppet Show with my parents when I was little. It doesn't dumb anything down for the kids, it is joyous and age appropriate, with plenty of aspects that adults will crack up over and enjoy as well. I highly highly recommend this book. It blurs the lines between book/illustration/comic book, resulting in a visual hybrid of story/image/journal/scrapbook that just totally rocks.

My Daughter Loves, Loves, Loves this Book

My 11-year-old was so excited to get her hands on the Popularity Papers. She laughed her way through and can't wait to read the sequel (note to publisher: please, please, please publish one soon) and watch the movie (note to film producers: please, please, please option this book and turn it into a movie fast). She loved reading this humor-filled and humane account of the trials and travails of girls. It's all about Lydia and Julie. What a team! All I can say is: Amy Ignatow, thank you for writing and drawing this darn amazing book. Please write more!

Absolutely Wonderful

This incredibly creative book tells the we've-all-been there story of navigating friendships and realizing who and what is really important in one's life. Ignatow's beautiful and creative artwork, knack for story-telling, and uncanny ability to write in the voice of not one but two very clever fifth graders results in a work that will be loved by anyone who is headed towards middle school-- or anyone who has already been there! Written for kids but smartly funny enough to have this adult reader laughing out loud. Highly recommended.

Visually one of the coolest, fun, and well put together fiction books I've ever seen

Visually this is one of the coolest, fun, and well put together fiction books I've ever seen, and I don't say that lightly. I loved every page, unlike some illustrated middle grade or children's titles every page in this book is a production, color pencil illustrations, handwriting to represent 2 characters, knitting swatches, photos. It's pretty darn believable that this was put together by 2 5th graders. Ok maybe Julie is an extra talented artist for a 5th grader, but I'm willing to buy that this is the journal of two girls. And the story, it was HILARIOUS! Spying on the popular girls at school and attempting tasks to be like them, that usually end in disaster (bald spots, stick fighting lessons, having a boy write a poem about you that the whole school sings.) This book is golden. The story is great, the illustrations are great, and together it's hilariously perfect! Anyone that has an appreciate for multimedia books, graphic type novels, or funny kid drawings would like this. And I can't stress enough that it's not just about the art, there is a great story here about 2 friends learning about themselves, and how to make new friends, and getting to know their families better. I liked how their families were important to the story, Julie's 2 dads, and Lydia's mother and goth sister. I loved Melody (the goth sister) and how slowly it turns out she isn't as weird as the girls thought she was, don't judge a person by their appearance! And there is knitting in this book, it's like the author read my mind and put things I specifically would like into this book. I will be on the lookout for anything else she creates, you can count on that!

WATCH FOR THE NAME IGNATOW!

Amy Ignatow's debut is worthy of a shout! She captures 5th-grade girls to a T ... fantastic voice, endearing characters, humor, humor, humor, FUN illustrations ... Watch for her name. I believe she will have a strong voice in this business!