The Popularity Papers

The Popularity Papers – Amy Ignatow

Amulet Books - 978-0810984219

 J:  Last week I embarrassed myself by sitting in a crowded New York subway car, reading the obviously middle-grade THE POPULARITY PAPERS (more on that title later), and laughing out loud. A lot.  There's something so winning about the two main characters, Julie and Lydia--two fifth graders determined to figure out how to become popular before junior high begins. They've seen what being an outsider in junior high has done to Lydia's now-Goth sister, Melody; and, well, they're a little scared. The author, Amy Ignatow, is also an illustrator; and she distinguishes the two characters brilliantly through not just very different written voices, but also handwriting and illustration style. I loved the secondary characters, too.  Papa Dad, one of Julie's dad's, and Lydia's mom both consistently cracked me up. The style of the book (lots of illustrations and handwritten conversations between Lydia and Julia) couldn't be more kid-friendly.  And the overall message of the book is nicely nuanced, I thought. Mia, what do you think?  Do you like the book as much as I do?

M: Julie I must confess, I didn't want to like this book. At first glance, I thought it looked like a female version of DIARY OF A WIMPY KID--which I'm a bit over-saturated with, given all the movie talk and so on, even though I haven't read it. So when I saw THE POPULARITY PAPERS, I thought, "Oh no, what has Julie gotten me into now?"  But I was wrong! I too laughed out loud on the subway and snickered as I read about these two very earnest and adorable girls trying to figure out what the secret code for popularity is. I loved that popularity was something strange and in need of "serious" anthropological research (like it was another culture altogether! Which it sort of is).  It showed just how silly and shallow a lot of it is. By the end I didn't even mind the weird glances I got from the other subway riders.

J: Oh, I'm so glad you liked it!  I felt a little nervous recommending it to you--partly because of the title.  I can't help wishing they'd named it something else.  The truth is, I have a visceral reaction against spending money and time on a book that so trumpets a fixation on popularity.  But of course that fixation can be a big part of growing up, even if I wish it weren't.  It's certainly a common theme in middle-grade novels.  And, ultimately, the book paints a nicely complicated picture of popularity.  So I've decided to get over it.  Were you bothered by the title?

M: You know, at first I was going to say no, I wasn't bothered by it; but then I remembered that I did have an initial, "What is this about?" reaction when I heard the title. Good thing I stuck to my "give every book a chance" rule, or I would've missed out on this enjoyable read! So I guess...don't judge a book by its cover OR its title? 

J:  I'll work on that!  Now that I've gone on and on about the title, let me just add one or two more positives to our list:  THE POPULARITY PAPERS is *very* fun to read aloud to kids.  I've had many, many requests for readings from my daughters, who have also each spent much time enjoying it on their own.  And the overall design is very fun.  Mia, anything to add, positive or negative?  

M: No! Overall I would say to our readers, give this book a try!

Comments

[Kit]

I love this book too! I was reading this book on metro north and laughing so much the conductor asked me what was going on!

[Julie Sternberg]

So funny! It's a train epidemic!

[Jffddfghvsju]

I love this book does anyone know if there will ever be a movie about it

[M.Garcia]

I haven't heard anything yet about this becoming a film, but the second one is coming out soon, so if there's been any development it might be referenced in reviews.