What You Need to Know:
• Popularity Papers is all about popularity and friendship. It sounds scary, right? Don't be afraid; it is a good message.
Warm and caring wins out. • It's howlingly funny.
• I love the main characters Lydia and Julie. They are amazingly funny and earnest fifth graders.
• This book is written journal-style and the drawings are hysterical. |
Sweet Book Summary:
The full title of this book is "The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang." The subtitle explains the premise of this terrific middle grade novel. Fifth graders, Julie and Lydia, embark on a project they call the Popularity Papers. They are on a quest to study popularity and to be popular themselves. They would like to start junior high next year ahead of the curve.
This may sound scary to some parents. Perhaps you are thinking, I don't want my daughter to worry about such trivial things, etc., and by buying this book I am buying into the notion that popularity is important. If so, you would be wrong! This is a hysterical commentary on the late elementary/early middle school scene, that actually skewers that whole idea of popularity. It allows kids to see the ridiculousness of it all. What author Ignatow has done, in a highly entertaining package, is quite brilliant. The humor is witty and dry and combined with the drawings, truly side-splitting.
I enjoyed this book immensely, as did my nine year old daughter. Lydia lives with her single mom and Julie lives with her two dads. Just might be worth noting in case either of these two situations affect you and your family. |
Author: Amy Ignatow Illustrator: Amy Ignatow Published: 2010, 208 pages
Themes: Friendship, Humor, Journal Style, Self-Awareness/Discovery, Cliques/Popularity, Feelings, Growing Up, School |
Sweet Discussion Questions:
• Is it ok to be worried about what others think of you?
• Is it more important to be happy with yourself or making sure people like you? or both?
• What should you do if you are invited to a party but your friend is not?
• Is it ok to be worried what others think of you?
• If you are feeling weird and worried about the kids at school, whom should you talk to about that?
• If you have a friend who is feeling badly about social stuff, how can you help? |
| This recommendation was written by: Melissa Y. |
| Support Independent Book Shops: Click Here to Buy this Book on IndieBound |
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