The Popularity Papers

Gr 4—6—Julie and Lydia are back with a brand-new dilemma. Just one month before entering junior high, Lydia's mother announces that she has taken a job in London for six months, leaving Julie with the task of becoming popular on her own while her best friend makes new friends and explores a new city. As in The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (Abrams, 2010), the girls communicate often in handwritten notes or via email. Ignatow explores their individual personalities and develops them further through social interactions in their respective schools. Julie struggles with becoming one of the Bichons, an in-group, while Lydia corrals those she considers to be outcasts to try to boost their popularity. Creative illustrations abound, showcasing each character's unique style. This is a great recommendation for reluctant readers and fans of Jeff Kinney's "Wimpy Kid" books (Abrams), Rachel Renée Russell's "Dork Diaries" (S & S), and Jim Benton's "Dear Dumb Diary" books (Scholastic).—Lia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ