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The Popularity Papers #1
Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang
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 Asbjørnsen. Worse, they seem to be drifting farther and farther from their goal—and each other.
208 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
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September 3, 2010
There are good and bad results that occur when a book like Diary of a Wimpy Kid hits the stratosphere. On the one hand, suddenly publishers are a lot more open-minded about breathing life into books that mix text and images in new and unique ways. The door opens a little wider for unconventional titles that straddle a variety of writing genres and styles and (normally) don't win any literary awards. That's the good. The bad thing is that as a result any book that tries to make any headway in the market using pictures as well as text (and PARTICULARLY if it has a diary/journal format) is on some level going to be slapped with a "Diary of a Wimpy Kid Wannabe" label by the critics out there unwilling to read it closely. Did I judge The Popularity Papers by Amy Ignatow too harshly when I glanced at its cover for the first time? Absolutely. But I flipped it over to peruse the back and found, to my utter amazement and downright shock, that the picture there had me laughing out loud. From out of nowhere! Without another thought I checked it out of my library and read it that night in a single sitting. Funny is hard. Funny in a journal format is harder. And funny in a journal format with a plot that not only tracks but also kinda makes you feel for the characters? Let's just say that this Amy Ignatow woman is a force to be reckoned with.
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are two smart cookies. Some girls going into their last year before middle school would confront the enigma of popularity by either moaning or changing themselves beyond all recognition. Lydia and Julie have a much better plan. First, they have this notebook where Julie (the artistic one) can record their observations. The mission? To stealthily watch all the popular girls they know so as to best determine how to someday be popular themselves. Lydia (the brave one) will subject herself to rigorous testing, whether it involves bleaching off a chunk of her hair or joining an eskrima class (otherwise known as stick fighting). Along the way they attempt to finagle cell phones out of their parental units (with unfortunate results), deal with a Norwegian crush, and have a falling out that may or may not put an end to their friendship. Being popular may be tough but attaining it? Hilarious.
I'll get to the sheer unique humor of the book in a second, but first I want to give full credit to the storytelling. The other day a writer asked me, "What is it about a female character that makes you want to like them?" I responded the usual answers of "a sense of humor" and "empathy" but it's a tough question. Why do people connect so directly with the characters in the Harry Potter series, but don't feel as touched by other fantasy folks? In the case of this particular book, I was amazed by how quickly I felt affection for our two main characters. Admittedly, I felt closer to Julie for most of the book, but Lydia was someone I could definitely befriend as well, given half a chance. It's not just the pictures of them either. There's something about how they crack jokes together, or know each other's stories that feels real. I also like their mission. By being proactive the girls go out and do things they wouldn't have had the guts to try (particularly Julie) on their own. That makes for good storytelling, and an excellent selection of funny situations.
Time to talk about gay parents in children's literature a little. I've been seeing a fair amount of them in my books for kids this year, and it's about time! Books like The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister and such. The problem is that a lot of these books sort of make a big deal about this living situation. I like books where it's casual. It just is what it is. The Popularity Papers sort of fulfills that need of mine. And best of all, Julie's dads have individual personalities. They're not just insert-gay-dad-here or anything. You get the definite sense that Daddy is the stable sensible one and Papa Dad is more outgoing and mischievous.
Now can I tell you what the joke was on the back of the book that encouraged me to read the whole thing? It wasn't big or fancy or anything. It's just the image of Lydia and Julie standing next to popular girl Gretchen. Lydia tells Julie to pretend like nothing's going on and to act natural. Julie responds with a frozen grin and the words, "Doo de do, acting natural!" Why I found that so amazingly funny, I don't know, but it's a perfect set-up for the rest of the book. When kids (and heck, let's admit it, some adults too) read new books, you need to hook `em in right at the start. Ignatow accomplishes this thanks to Melody. You see, when Lydia's older sister Melody was in elementary school she was a blond and perky band member. However, once she got into Junior High, Melody went uber-Goth, n'er to smile again. The before and after section with Melody is a hoot (and the killer strawberry on the next page doesn't hurt matters either). Of course Melody sort of ends up being Lydia's Jiminy Cricket. A gaunt, blood-drained, pierced, perpetually morose Jiminy Cricket, sure, but a Jiminy Cricket just the same.
Then we get to the art, which really does make up most of the book. Since the premise is that Julie is the artist of this book, everything we see here is supposedly through her own pen and colored pencils/crayons. At the same time, we need to believe in these people as we would comic book characters, so there has to be a level of really good art at work. Add on top of that the section when Julie is no longer writing in the book (a very hard sequence to pull off) and the multiple handwriting samples at work in the pages, and you begin to get a sense of how much time and effort, blood and tears went into this title. The fortunate thing is that Ignatow really does walk that fine line between "believably childlike" and "remarkably good". I never once doubted that Julie would be capable of these pictures. Plus I love how she does hands. I've never seen anyone do hands quite like this before.
The Popularity Papers follows in the footsteps of such books as the Amelia's Notebook series by Marissa Moss and Ruth McNally Barshaw's Ellie McDoodle. In 2010 alone there are also titles like Doodlebug also vying for attention. That said, I think that this book stands out in the crowd. Word of mouth has already done it a heap of good. Alas, I don't suppose a lot of boys will have the guts to read it. I could be wrong, but when you have a purple book with doodled flowers and ladybugs and two female characters on a cover, boys sometimes tend to go screaming in the opposite direction. This is a shame since I think guys could get a huge kick out of this storyline. If boys read the pinkness that is Babymouse (and they do, they do) then they should read Ms. Ignatow as well.
Of course, there may be one particular odd and interesting result of this book. It's entirely possible that when kids finish reading it (and judging by how hard it is to keep on my library shelves, I can attest that read it they do) they're going to create their very own Popularity Paper Notebooks. That's all well and good, but I foresee some real Harriet the Spy hijinks in their futures. I also foresee a lot of girls trying to learn how to draw and how to be funny. And if we can get more funny females in the world, girls who understand how great it is to even BE funny (and that can draw!), then we'll owe The Popularity Papers more than we can ever give. A really great book and worth a close inspection. And if I absolutely have to compare it to Jeff Kinney's series, I'll do it this way: This is the funniest book I've read for kids since discovering Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Truth.
For ages 9-12.
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are two smart cookies. Some girls going into their last year before middle school would confront the enigma of popularity by either moaning or changing themselves beyond all recognition. Lydia and Julie have a much better plan. First, they have this notebook where Julie (the artistic one) can record their observations. The mission? To stealthily watch all the popular girls they know so as to best determine how to someday be popular themselves. Lydia (the brave one) will subject herself to rigorous testing, whether it involves bleaching off a chunk of her hair or joining an eskrima class (otherwise known as stick fighting). Along the way they attempt to finagle cell phones out of their parental units (with unfortunate results), deal with a Norwegian crush, and have a falling out that may or may not put an end to their friendship. Being popular may be tough but attaining it? Hilarious.
I'll get to the sheer unique humor of the book in a second, but first I want to give full credit to the storytelling. The other day a writer asked me, "What is it about a female character that makes you want to like them?" I responded the usual answers of "a sense of humor" and "empathy" but it's a tough question. Why do people connect so directly with the characters in the Harry Potter series, but don't feel as touched by other fantasy folks? In the case of this particular book, I was amazed by how quickly I felt affection for our two main characters. Admittedly, I felt closer to Julie for most of the book, but Lydia was someone I could definitely befriend as well, given half a chance. It's not just the pictures of them either. There's something about how they crack jokes together, or know each other's stories that feels real. I also like their mission. By being proactive the girls go out and do things they wouldn't have had the guts to try (particularly Julie) on their own. That makes for good storytelling, and an excellent selection of funny situations.
Time to talk about gay parents in children's literature a little. I've been seeing a fair amount of them in my books for kids this year, and it's about time! Books like The Accidental Adventures of India McAllister and such. The problem is that a lot of these books sort of make a big deal about this living situation. I like books where it's casual. It just is what it is. The Popularity Papers sort of fulfills that need of mine. And best of all, Julie's dads have individual personalities. They're not just insert-gay-dad-here or anything. You get the definite sense that Daddy is the stable sensible one and Papa Dad is more outgoing and mischievous.
Now can I tell you what the joke was on the back of the book that encouraged me to read the whole thing? It wasn't big or fancy or anything. It's just the image of Lydia and Julie standing next to popular girl Gretchen. Lydia tells Julie to pretend like nothing's going on and to act natural. Julie responds with a frozen grin and the words, "Doo de do, acting natural!" Why I found that so amazingly funny, I don't know, but it's a perfect set-up for the rest of the book. When kids (and heck, let's admit it, some adults too) read new books, you need to hook `em in right at the start. Ignatow accomplishes this thanks to Melody. You see, when Lydia's older sister Melody was in elementary school she was a blond and perky band member. However, once she got into Junior High, Melody went uber-Goth, n'er to smile again. The before and after section with Melody is a hoot (and the killer strawberry on the next page doesn't hurt matters either). Of course Melody sort of ends up being Lydia's Jiminy Cricket. A gaunt, blood-drained, pierced, perpetually morose Jiminy Cricket, sure, but a Jiminy Cricket just the same.
Then we get to the art, which really does make up most of the book. Since the premise is that Julie is the artist of this book, everything we see here is supposedly through her own pen and colored pencils/crayons. At the same time, we need to believe in these people as we would comic book characters, so there has to be a level of really good art at work. Add on top of that the section when Julie is no longer writing in the book (a very hard sequence to pull off) and the multiple handwriting samples at work in the pages, and you begin to get a sense of how much time and effort, blood and tears went into this title. The fortunate thing is that Ignatow really does walk that fine line between "believably childlike" and "remarkably good". I never once doubted that Julie would be capable of these pictures. Plus I love how she does hands. I've never seen anyone do hands quite like this before.
The Popularity Papers follows in the footsteps of such books as the Amelia's Notebook series by Marissa Moss and Ruth McNally Barshaw's Ellie McDoodle. In 2010 alone there are also titles like Doodlebug also vying for attention. That said, I think that this book stands out in the crowd. Word of mouth has already done it a heap of good. Alas, I don't suppose a lot of boys will have the guts to read it. I could be wrong, but when you have a purple book with doodled flowers and ladybugs and two female characters on a cover, boys sometimes tend to go screaming in the opposite direction. This is a shame since I think guys could get a huge kick out of this storyline. If boys read the pinkness that is Babymouse (and they do, they do) then they should read Ms. Ignatow as well.
Of course, there may be one particular odd and interesting result of this book. It's entirely possible that when kids finish reading it (and judging by how hard it is to keep on my library shelves, I can attest that read it they do) they're going to create their very own Popularity Paper Notebooks. That's all well and good, but I foresee some real Harriet the Spy hijinks in their futures. I also foresee a lot of girls trying to learn how to draw and how to be funny. And if we can get more funny females in the world, girls who understand how great it is to even BE funny (and that can draw!), then we'll owe The Popularity Papers more than we can ever give. A really great book and worth a close inspection. And if I absolutely have to compare it to Jeff Kinney's series, I'll do it this way: This is the funniest book I've read for kids since discovering Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Truth.
For ages 9-12.
December 23, 2021
a literary triumph
October 17, 2014
I wish these books had been around when I was younger. The scrapbook style makes it fun to look at and the story is one that most young girls can relate to. My favorite part is how the author does not make a big deal of the fact that one of the characters has two dads. The author chooses not to explain the situation to the audience, and instead allows the readers to understand the situation intuitively, just like a reader would do with a family that had a mom and dad instead. I found this very refreshing.
January 31, 2010
I started this book kind of expecting a cheesy kid book, instead, I got a HILARIOUS read that I liked so much it took me a day to read! In "The Popularity Papers" two 5th grade girls, Lydia and Julie, research how you become popular. They do experiments (i.e. dying ahir like a popular girl does, wearing an outfit like a popular girl does, etc.) and make observations and record them in their notebook along with illustrations and side conversations.
On the back it says "For ages 9-13", I disagree- it's from age 9- 99!
On the back it says "For ages 9-13", I disagree- it's from age 9- 99!
March 13, 2018
4.5 stars | Blog
Wow, I did NOT expect to like this book so much! It's nothing like the other diary-journal-notes format books I had read thus far, and was still quite hilarious with great character development and messages. You've got Lydia and Julie who make a journal to research on how to be popular. By doing so they pass notes in class (who hasn't done that before?) and carry out hilarious experiments like real researchers. I enjoyed the different fonts that represented the different handwriting by different characters and how much they focused on the friendship and familial aspect of this novel. It was so wonderful to see them push through their realistic struggles together and figure their way through it.
I'd recommend this for fans of Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Its tone is not exactly the same as the aforementioned series, but visually its quite similar. Overall, anyone looking for a good, yet funny book on friendship, give The Popularity Papers a try!
“Learn & Improve”
Wow, I did NOT expect to like this book so much! It's nothing like the other diary-journal-notes format books I had read thus far, and was still quite hilarious with great character development and messages. You've got Lydia and Julie who make a journal to research on how to be popular. By doing so they pass notes in class (who hasn't done that before?) and carry out hilarious experiments like real researchers. I enjoyed the different fonts that represented the different handwriting by different characters and how much they focused on the friendship and familial aspect of this novel. It was so wonderful to see them push through their realistic struggles together and figure their way through it.
I'd recommend this for fans of Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Its tone is not exactly the same as the aforementioned series, but visually its quite similar. Overall, anyone looking for a good, yet funny book on friendship, give The Popularity Papers a try!
January 29, 2011
In a quest for popularity, 5th graders Julie and Lydia decide to record the behavior, dress and activities of those kids who have already acheived the elite status of "popular". The girls keep a co-authored journal including "hand-written" notes in each girls distinctive handwriting and colored illustrations. Julie and Lydia experiment with new wardrobes, hairstyles and participating in different extra-curricular activities. The experiement yields different results for each girl and turns out to be a learning experience neither expected. Along the way, readers are introduced to a cast of well drawn supporting characters including Julie's two dads; Daddy and Papa Dad. This visually captivating book (somewhat reminiscent of the "Diary of a Wimpy Kid" series) offers a realistic look at the struggles that tweens endure and is sure to be a hit.
September 27, 2013
Jeden z nejkrásnějších letteringů, co jsem kdy dělal! Mrzelo mě, že nejsem holka... (One of the most beautiful lettering I've ever made! I was sorry that I'm not a girl ...)
June 14, 2021
this is a masterpiece
Read
April 26, 2025could dostoevsky write THIS?
December 23, 2020
BAHAHAH I READ THIS IN LIKE 2ND OR 3RD GRADE BUT THEY WERE PRETTY GOOD AMD FUNNY
February 7, 2020
This book portrays real middle school-life and popularity almost perfectly.
December 10, 2018
I can't resist any book that looks like a direct descendant of the Amelia's Notebook series by Marissa Moss. I'm simply not capable of doing such a thing. And, judging by the first book, this series makes her foremothers proud. Mind you, Amelia's personality was unusually grounded. This is the top secret research of two girls, Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, into the mysteries of popularity, and Lydia and Julie aren't quite as good at minding their own business as Amelia was. They have an unquenchable thirst for uncovering the secrets to climbing the social ladder before the school year ends and they have to navigate an even more perilous climate: junior high. Obviously, they get into a lot of trouble.
You ever read a children's or a YA book and think, "Yeah, I'm definitely not in middle school anymore"? At the grey age of twenty-three, tales involving bullying through the forced wearing of the same pair of underwear for an entire week during a camping trip is just another opportunity to pontificate and not, you know, giggle. Maybe not even at eleven. I don't know, my sense of humor skewed more towards the likes of The Adventures of Captain Underpants. Apparently I now amuse myself by judging the questionable moral compasses of two fictional eleven-year-olds.
I have mixed feelings about the events that go on in this book. For example, Lydia and Julie haven't had any close relationship with Lydia's older sister Melody since their births, but the two feel more bad about three sentences of shit-talking they were doing about one of their less likeable popular subjects? Am I putting too much trust in the family unit here? ...Anyways, the illustrations (by Julie) are very cute, and the book succeeds in mimicking that Real Journal Feel I love to pieces. It's dated by the fact Lydia actually writes in cursive all the time, but at least you can tell which of the two are writing easily.
You ever read a children's or a YA book and think, "Yeah, I'm definitely not in middle school anymore"? At the grey age of twenty-three, tales involving bullying through the forced wearing of the same pair of underwear for an entire week during a camping trip is just another opportunity to pontificate and not, you know, giggle. Maybe not even at eleven. I don't know, my sense of humor skewed more towards the likes of The Adventures of Captain Underpants. Apparently I now amuse myself by judging the questionable moral compasses of two fictional eleven-year-olds.
I have mixed feelings about the events that go on in this book. For example, Lydia and Julie haven't had any close relationship with Lydia's older sister Melody since their births, but the two feel more bad about three sentences of shit-talking they were doing about one of their less likeable popular subjects? Am I putting too much trust in the family unit here? ...Anyways, the illustrations (by Julie) are very cute, and the book succeeds in mimicking that Real Journal Feel I love to pieces. It's dated by the fact Lydia actually writes in cursive all the time, but at least you can tell which of the two are writing easily.
July 10, 2010
An illustrated journal in the style of Amelia’s Notebook, The Popularity Papers documents Lydia and Julie’s preparations to become popular when they begin middle school. They document and try the activities of the popular girls, like dyeing a streak in their hair, or taking up knitting.
This is the usual unpopular friends try to become popular and grow apart when one of them has success, before realizing they need to be themselves story, but it’s clever and the artwork is excellent, and it’s really, hilariously funny. It’ll draw the inevitable comparison of Wimpy Kid for girls, but really, it’s so, so much better than the Wimpy Kid books. (And it’s in color.)
I also liked the diverse representations of family – single mothers, absent parents, two dads, *and* a mother and father who have sit down dinners with the whole family. In particular, I liked Julie’s Papa Dad, who is the hilarious sort of father who mortifies his own child, but her friends all think he’s hysterical.
I am wishing for a sequel, immediately please.
This is the usual unpopular friends try to become popular and grow apart when one of them has success, before realizing they need to be themselves story, but it’s clever and the artwork is excellent, and it’s really, hilariously funny. It’ll draw the inevitable comparison of Wimpy Kid for girls, but really, it’s so, so much better than the Wimpy Kid books. (And it’s in color.)
I also liked the diverse representations of family – single mothers, absent parents, two dads, *and* a mother and father who have sit down dinners with the whole family. In particular, I liked Julie’s Papa Dad, who is the hilarious sort of father who mortifies his own child, but her friends all think he’s hysterical.
I am wishing for a sequel, immediately please.
March 5, 2010
This is a great, fun book - a light & funny look at two fifth grade girls on a mission to discover the secrets of popularity. It's written as a shared notebook, with drawings, notes back & forth between the girls, etc. Great for fans of the WIMPY KID series!
August 24, 2014
I have to admit, I sort of only read this book because of the drawings. I think that the other girl with the short brown hair is an artist and I spent so much time trying to copy the drawings. But the book was also good. It was really funny at some points.
July 11, 2012
This is amazing book! I love it so much, my favorite is Julie! If you like reading graphic novels this is the book to read, it has great pictures and a awesome story! Read it today!
July 20, 2022
Super wholesome and cute! I love the illustrations and the fact that it feels like watching two elementary children conversing! I wish i read this back when i was still figuring stuff out :/
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August 12, 2024buddy read this with a friend who had it as a childhood favorite - as sombody reading it for the first time, i was super impressed! like it is obviously a middle grade novel. i'm not going to recommend it to you if you aren't the kind of person like me who enjoys reading middle grade novels.
but it was such a triumph to me for a lot of reasons:
- it did really clever things with the form of the novel. the conceit is that these are two tweenagers who are making this together, and so all of the illustrations are done in a charming but still clearly kidlike style.
- it gets the tone of how tweenagers talk and fight down SO WELL
- its a novel from 2010 which has a child with two dads. thats pretty cool. i stan papa dad
there definitely are some places where it shows its age. but overall, a really fun read.
but it was such a triumph to me for a lot of reasons:
- it did really clever things with the form of the novel. the conceit is that these are two tweenagers who are making this together, and so all of the illustrations are done in a charming but still clearly kidlike style.
- it gets the tone of how tweenagers talk and fight down SO WELL
- its a novel from 2010 which has a child with two dads. thats pretty cool. i stan papa dad
there definitely are some places where it shows its age. but overall, a really fun read.
June 3, 2019
I really liked this book it was super easy to get through and it was really funny. It’s about two girls that just wanna be popular lol 😂. I really liked the part where Lydia dyed her hair with bleach (the wrong type) and ended up with a bald spot😂 basically all of their “experiments” failed but it was funny😂Can’t wait to read the next one! Yeeeeeeehaww
September 21, 2019
Kids strive to be someone else more popular in school and then wonder why they are having such a hard time finding themselves during adulthood.
July 30, 2021
Esse livro é mt legal, achei ele hj nas minhas coisas, vou fazer os crianços lerem
January 23, 2022
Brilliant!
May 30, 2023
łatwa, śmieszna, lekka, mądra, z cudownym morałem dla najmłodszych (ale nie tylko)!!
March 15, 2013
The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang is a mouthful of a title, but a bucket full of charm, humor, and heart. Amy Ignatow's quirky diary format style and illustrations combine to make a story about two friends that is worthy of such an impressive title.
Fifth-graders Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are life long best friends who have one mission: become popular. To succeed in their mission they set out to observe the popular girls and record their findings, which they do in their trusty notebook. Outgoing Lydia is their human guinea pig who experiments with their findings, while quite Julie dutiful records their progress. And their progress is less than stellar. No matter how much the girls try to be like the popular girls, their results are disastrous (but funny). And even worse, the girls find that their mission is tearing them apart. With a little help from some unlikely sources, the girls discover that maybe they've been going about things wrong.
Amy Ignatow has crafted a refreshingly unique tale of fifth-grade woes and the pains of growing up. Ignatow's two main characters are delightfully endearing and her clever diary style of writing and illustrations will have readers of all ages captivated.
I love the diary/notebook format of this book! This format, along with Ignatow's child-like illustrations and her two characters' spot on MG voices, make for a truly memorable and entertaining read. The unabashed quirkiness of this book is just so much fun. But the story is also very realistic and believable. Lydia and Julie's often awkward quest for popularity and experiences as pubescent tweens are something that readers of all ages can relate to and understand. I know I found myself relating to so much of what these girls go through.
And they go through a lot! From a disastrous hair bleaching incident that results in a bald patch, to stick-fighting classes, unrequited crushes and unwanted crushes, and a BFF fight, Lydia and Julie have many adventures and misadventures that will make you giggle, cry, and root for them. And best of all, readers will just love Lydia and Julie. These two girls are far from perfect, but they are relatable, funny, clever, and talented. I liked that they had two very distinct personalities, but they meshed so well. Outgoing Lydia is unpredictable and dramatic in a fun way, while timid Julie is witty and sweet. I really enjoyed their strong friendship. And the supporting characters shine as well. Julie's two dads are often hilarious, Lydia's older goth sister is charmingly wry, and the various popular girls have surprising depth. The cast of characters is also wonderfully diverse.
The book ends on a very heartwarming and satisfying note that isn't too cheesy or over the top.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I had a great time reading The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang. Author Amy Ignatow's creation is unique, giggle-inducing, and fun to read and look at. Readers of all ages will enjoy this MG read, but I think younger readers will especially get a kick out of it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
Fifth-graders Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are life long best friends who have one mission: become popular. To succeed in their mission they set out to observe the popular girls and record their findings, which they do in their trusty notebook. Outgoing Lydia is their human guinea pig who experiments with their findings, while quite Julie dutiful records their progress. And their progress is less than stellar. No matter how much the girls try to be like the popular girls, their results are disastrous (but funny). And even worse, the girls find that their mission is tearing them apart. With a little help from some unlikely sources, the girls discover that maybe they've been going about things wrong.
Amy Ignatow has crafted a refreshingly unique tale of fifth-grade woes and the pains of growing up. Ignatow's two main characters are delightfully endearing and her clever diary style of writing and illustrations will have readers of all ages captivated.
I love the diary/notebook format of this book! This format, along with Ignatow's child-like illustrations and her two characters' spot on MG voices, make for a truly memorable and entertaining read. The unabashed quirkiness of this book is just so much fun. But the story is also very realistic and believable. Lydia and Julie's often awkward quest for popularity and experiences as pubescent tweens are something that readers of all ages can relate to and understand. I know I found myself relating to so much of what these girls go through.
And they go through a lot! From a disastrous hair bleaching incident that results in a bald patch, to stick-fighting classes, unrequited crushes and unwanted crushes, and a BFF fight, Lydia and Julie have many adventures and misadventures that will make you giggle, cry, and root for them. And best of all, readers will just love Lydia and Julie. These two girls are far from perfect, but they are relatable, funny, clever, and talented. I liked that they had two very distinct personalities, but they meshed so well. Outgoing Lydia is unpredictable and dramatic in a fun way, while timid Julie is witty and sweet. I really enjoyed their strong friendship. And the supporting characters shine as well. Julie's two dads are often hilarious, Lydia's older goth sister is charmingly wry, and the various popular girls have surprising depth. The cast of characters is also wonderfully diverse.
The book ends on a very heartwarming and satisfying note that isn't too cheesy or over the top.
MY FINAL THOUGHTS: I had a great time reading The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang. Author Amy Ignatow's creation is unique, giggle-inducing, and fun to read and look at. Readers of all ages will enjoy this MG read, but I think younger readers will especially get a kick out of it. I look forward to reading the other books in the series.
March 9, 2023
Okaaay, so I first read this when I was ten years old, and I fell in love with the book series and the started collecting all the books. I am not currently 18 years old and now have books 1 to 6. It was really difficult trying to find a copy of book 1 since they were no longer restocking it. So, this year, I decided, why not buy a second-hand copy for book 1 and 7. The rest I bought brand-new and book 6 was given by my best friend.
As a young girl, I wasn't exactly popular, back then all the things I loved doing was often thought of as weird or quirky. Things that are now regarded as artsy or cool. To be fair, this was before TikTok, and back then reading wasn't as trendy or in style, as it is nowadays. The Popularity Papers was that book series that made me feel better about myself. Not only is the artwork beautiful, but the comedic writing also aged really well, and I would dare say was ahead of its time. This is the type of book series that I wish we had more of. I see all the kid's books out there and frankly, I'm quite disappointed. Not because, they aren't good or anything. I just wish that they would write or speak to children like the brilliant little people that they are, the same way that The Popularity Papers did to me. Which is why, it breaks my heart a little that they're no longer selling it in bookstores here in the Philippines.
I grew up having a really hard time making friends, which for the most part didn't bother me. But I must say, sometimes it really took a toll on my self-esteem. It's probably the reason why I started reading, and why this book resonated to the 10-year-old Layla that was lent a copy of this book by her older sister's friend. I related and still do relate to Julie and Lydia's want to have more friends, while retaining their true selves.
As a young girl, I wasn't exactly popular, back then all the things I loved doing was often thought of as weird or quirky. Things that are now regarded as artsy or cool. To be fair, this was before TikTok, and back then reading wasn't as trendy or in style, as it is nowadays. The Popularity Papers was that book series that made me feel better about myself. Not only is the artwork beautiful, but the comedic writing also aged really well, and I would dare say was ahead of its time. This is the type of book series that I wish we had more of. I see all the kid's books out there and frankly, I'm quite disappointed. Not because, they aren't good or anything. I just wish that they would write or speak to children like the brilliant little people that they are, the same way that The Popularity Papers did to me. Which is why, it breaks my heart a little that they're no longer selling it in bookstores here in the Philippines.
I grew up having a really hard time making friends, which for the most part didn't bother me. But I must say, sometimes it really took a toll on my self-esteem. It's probably the reason why I started reading, and why this book resonated to the 10-year-old Layla that was lent a copy of this book by her older sister's friend. I related and still do relate to Julie and Lydia's want to have more friends, while retaining their true selves.
February 6, 2010
The Popularity Papers was a charmingly cute read told in diary format by two fifth grade girls- Lydia and Julie.
While Lydia is the out-spoken one who craves to be the center star of everyone's lives (blame the theater geek in her), Julie would just be happy being on the sidelines being the quiet, sullen smart one. Both were fun to read about, even if I did sometimes find it hard to support their quenching desire to be popular. Though, they were fifth graders, so what could you expect? Also they did learn a very important lesson through their research which made this a venial issue overall.
I really adored the way this was told. Since for one it was fun to see the different doodles that the girls would draw to occupy their entries; and for two, I personally think that the 9-13 year olds, who this is aimed towards, will find this to be an easy and interesting book to read.
In all, The Popularity Papers is a cute read that I'm sure will be eaten right up by the middle grade girl set after it's March release. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ms. Ignatow.
Grade: B
While Lydia is the out-spoken one who craves to be the center star of everyone's lives (blame the theater geek in her), Julie would just be happy being on the sidelines being the quiet, sullen smart one. Both were fun to read about, even if I did sometimes find it hard to support their quenching desire to be popular. Though, they were fifth graders, so what could you expect? Also they did learn a very important lesson through their research which made this a venial issue overall.
I really adored the way this was told. Since for one it was fun to see the different doodles that the girls would draw to occupy their entries; and for two, I personally think that the 9-13 year olds, who this is aimed towards, will find this to be an easy and interesting book to read.
In all, The Popularity Papers is a cute read that I'm sure will be eaten right up by the middle grade girl set after it's March release. I'm looking forward to reading more by Ms. Ignatow.
Grade: B
February 22, 2010
Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang have been best friends since they were babies. In their quest to enter middle school as part of the popular crowd, they set out to observe several popular classmates to find out just what makes them popular. They record their observations in a shared notebook. Julie is the more shy member of the pair, but also an artist. Lydia is less afraid to try new things, but sometimes goes a little too far.
As they get to know the popular girls, they start spending less time with each other and forget that sometimes old friends are the ones who really matter. My favorite quote from the book, which comes from an unexpected source, is, "Your friends should be the coolest people you know."
This is a funny and touching book about the power of friendship and also has a nice message about seeing the good in everyone.
The Popularity Papers is an excellent graphic novel that will appeal primarily to girls, fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
As they get to know the popular girls, they start spending less time with each other and forget that sometimes old friends are the ones who really matter. My favorite quote from the book, which comes from an unexpected source, is, "Your friends should be the coolest people you know."
This is a funny and touching book about the power of friendship and also has a nice message about seeing the good in everyone.
The Popularity Papers is an excellent graphic novel that will appeal primarily to girls, fans of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, or anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
July 5, 2012
So, Daisy (my 7-year-old) picked this one off the shelf. I tend to wonder a bit when a title uses the word "popular" or "popularity" in them. There is just too much junk to fill our kids' minds already, so I read this one over since Daisy really wanted to read it. It was okay. There were moments that made me laugh, but it's because I am a 30-something person who has already gone through some of that angst-ridden, pre-teen stuff. Do I think it was age-appropriate? Not for my 2nd grader. Was it terrible or immoral? Not at all. It's just not subject matter that I think she needs to be bothered with. Though the whole idea of "popularity" is a subject that ought not to be bothered with.... unless it's just the good old-fashioned golden rule variety.
April 14, 2014
This book was so intriguing and fun to read. It is about two girls who want to be popular and have decided to try to examine the popular girls and do experiments to see if they will become popular. It is written in a really neat way: like an actual diary. Each of the main characters have their own writing, one is in cursive and one isn't. I think that this book would be great for upper elementary schoolers and would be very engaging.
I would use this book as a book club series in my future classroom. I would have my students also write their own type of book like "The Popularity Papers" by writing a journal entry each day after our book club discussion.
I would use this book as a book club series in my future classroom. I would have my students also write their own type of book like "The Popularity Papers" by writing a journal entry each day after our book club discussion.
April 6, 2010
I just finished reading Diary of a Wimpy Kid (and thoroughly enjoyed it) when I happened upon this book @ the store today. I figured I could give it a shot since they seemed pretty similar by outward appearances. now, I don't know if because I'm a girl I enjoyed this one better, or just that it was better.
definitely worth the read- the comedic relief in the book is FANTASTIC, as is the artwork that accompanies the story.
definitely worth the read- the comedic relief in the book is FANTASTIC, as is the artwork that accompanies the story.
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