The Popularity Papers
Encyclopedia
The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang is a children's book written and illustrated by Amy Ignatow
and published in 2010. It is more commonly known simply as The Popularity Papers.
To date, two sequels have been published. The Popularity Papers: Book Two: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, was released by Amulet Books in March 2011. Book Three, subtitled Words of (Questionable) Wisdom from Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang was available in October 2011.
In interviews with the news media, Ignatow has shown that she only uses writing and drawing implements that are easily available to children, such as crayons, markers, and colored pencils.
The first book's review in the New York Times 2010 summer reading issue (June 4, 2010) called the author "hugely talented". Publishers Weekly
noted that the plot was "predictable", but stated that "Readers will quickly devour this hilarious, heartfelt debut."
The School Library Journal
's blog called the first book, "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
."
Amy Ignatow
Amy Ignatow is an American author, illustrator, and cartoonist who lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She is best known for the children's book series, The Popularity Papers.-Personal life:...
and published in 2010. It is more commonly known simply as The Popularity Papers.
To date, two sequels have been published. The Popularity Papers: Book Two: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, was released by Amulet Books in March 2011. Book Three, subtitled Words of (Questionable) Wisdom from Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang was available in October 2011.
Plot summary
Two fifth-grade friends, Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang, want to learn how to be popular before entering middle school. The book is their journal, documenting their misadventures to become more popular, as well as their family and school life.Format
The story is told in a scrapbook format, written and drawn by the two main characters. The books are hand-drawn, with each of the two main protagonists having a different writing and drawing style.In interviews with the news media, Ignatow has shown that she only uses writing and drawing implements that are easily available to children, such as crayons, markers, and colored pencils.
Awards and critical reception
The first book in The Popularity Papers series was selected as a top-ten title for 2011 by the American Library Association's Rainbow Project. It was a 2010 Gold Award winner by the National Parenting Publications Association and selected by the Chicago Public Library as one of the 2011 "Best of the Best" books.The first book's review in the New York Times 2010 summer reading issue (June 4, 2010) called the author "hugely talented". Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly
Publishers Weekly, aka PW, is an American weekly trade news magazine targeted at publishers, librarians, booksellers and literary agents...
noted that the plot was "predictable", but stated that "Readers will quickly devour this hilarious, heartfelt debut."
The School Library Journal
School Library Journal
The School Library Journal is a monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology and multimedia. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade,...
's blog called the first book, "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
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a realistic fiction novel by Jeff Kinney. It is the first book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. The book is about a middle-school child named Greg Heffley and his struggles in middle school. Greg also had problems with his best friend, Rowley Jefferson. The books focuses...
."