Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (The Popularity Papers #1)

Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (The Popularity Papers #1)

By Amy Ignatow

27 ratings 26 reviews 74 followers
Book 1 of 7 in the  The Popularity Papers Series
Interest LevelReading LevelReading A-ZATOSWord Count
Grades 4 - 8Grade 4n/a414847
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.

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
Publisher: Amulet Books
Published on 12/19/2011
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 208

Book Reviews (26)

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bsc bsc

This book was good. Lydia and Julie are best friends. They are basically like two peas in a pod- ever since Lydia's dad left her family. Their goal for the new school year is to become popular. But how will they do it? They decide to spy on the popular kids. They write all their observations in their notebook. So after they have gathered all of their 'research' they decide to change themselves so they'll fit in. But it doesn't turn out so well. People yell, Julie get hurt, Lydia gets a new hairstyle, and much more. But their friendship seems to be drifting as well. This book twists friendship, popular girls, crushes and so much more into the pages. You'll find yourself feeling connected to what the girls go through. I give it 3/5 stars. Some of the handwriting was in cursive, so it might be a little difficult to read if you can't read cursive. Happy reading!
zzayumi zzayumi

This is a really good book! It teaches you about friendship. This is about two girls who want to be popular. It is kind of like a journal.
oliviakim oliviakim

I decided to read this book is because I think the picture is pretty and interesting. Also I like this book because the story is very fun and the words come to my brain easily. I like the book of the popularity papers.
gymnastaussican gymnastaussican

I think that this book was really well thought out. I felt like I was reading Lydia and Julie's actual notebook/diary because everything was drawn and written so neatly. Every page was different. I like how it described a lot of how everybody is different and not everybody is popular. I wish I could give this a three star and a half but now I relies that 4 stars it more accurate.
bluehorse3 bluehorse3

This was really cute and a lot like how girls think except not all of us would be that extreme in trying to be popular. I didn't read any more in the series only because I couldn't find them, but I would have, if I could. :)
soccerawesome18 soccerawesome18

i really really really really REALLY want to read this series
cocogirl cocogirl

Popularity Papers is my favorite book in the world it's funny, crazy,awesome, and has drama.these two best friends Lydia and Julie research popular girls ,so they can be popular.they also have some friends that are popular named Jane,Lisa,and Gretchen .But they mostly research The Bichons the popular group in the 8th grade and the whole school .I recommend this book to you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
crazyladybug crazyladybug

This book is about Lydia And Julia. They want to be the popular girls. They try many ways, but some didn't work. It is very funny. I think my favorite part is Jane (the popular girl) she break her foot, so Lydia help Jane to sing the song and she sang very funny and crazy. Some people say she is the next Super Star! Because I think she sings very crazy and yucky but some people still say she is the next super star it's too funny! I recommend this book to you, because it's too funny.
headream100 headream100

One of the best books I EVER READ!!!!!!
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