Popularity Papers: Awesomely Awful Melodies of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang

The Popularity Papers: The Awesomely Awful Melodies of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang Amy Ignatow

Lydia and Julie are back! This time, Lydia convinces Julie that they need to start a rock band. Julie makes Lydia sign a contract saying that this is not one of Lydia’s popularity schemes. First, they have to learn how to play some instruments (hilarity ensues) Roland’s in the band. Jane manages to worm her way in, too (drama ensues) and then… they have to play some shows. Even though they’re not that good. In fact, they’re horrible (more hilarity ensues.)

Things I loved about this book: Jane and Chuck break up, and Chuck’s like “Hey Lydia” and Lydia doesn’t fall for it. She’s pretty firm in that she doesn’t want to be friends with him after what happened in the last book and how he just ditched her for Jane. Lydia knows she’s worth more than that, and she’s not taking any less.

Also, their lyrics are hysterically awful.

AND OMG MELODY! Lydia’s older sister has always been an odd voice of reason, coming from an angry goth girl. At the end of the last book, we are told that something MAJOR happened and we finally get to see it. I love the new Melody. I like the glimpses we get of who she is based on what *hasn’t* changed.

Things I love about this series that haven’t changed: Lydia and Julie are still awesome. I love the full color comic/word novel hybrid. I love their friends, especially Roland and Jen.

But most of all, I love Julie’s dads. They’re so perfectly wonderful parents while being horribly embarrassing at the same time.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Popularity Papers: The Rocky Roadtrip

The Popularity Papers: The Rocky Road Trip of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang Amy Ignatow

Lydia and Julie are back!!!

Lydia's mom is off to England for the summer and Melody is building houses in Guatemala (OMG-- I want a book just about that!) so Lydia has a choice-- road trip out to California with the Graham-Changs or go to England with her mom. She chooses the Graham-Changs.

It's not an easy road trip. Daddy's parents wonder when he'll find a nice lady and settle down. (Yeah.) And Lydia spends some time with her father and his new family. (There's a reason they haven't come up in the earlier books.)

With Lydia and Julie being trapped together in a car for so long, I expected some friendship drama, but there wasn't. Instead they bonded in the face of bad family. (And, also, some hilarious wacky family). Plus, road trips always lead to hijinks and roadside attractions.

This one deals with some different issues than the other ones but it does it really well. The issues are never ISSUES THAT WE MUST DISCUSS and there's enough humor to keep the book from getting bogged down. I also like how they're "resolved." Both girls get really indignant of behalf of their slighted friend. The Graham-Changs are used to Daddy's parents and have ways of coping and can talk Lydia through it. Melody and Lydia are used to their dad and can talk Julie through it. But, although they get some understanding of the situation and aren't going to continue to rage on, you know that they're not really "over it" (yet). I thought it was very realistic. The road trip aspect also helps, because there's something new and crazy down the highway to distract them.

Overall, a most excellent addition to the series and oh! slight cliffhanger ending involving Melody and that trip to Guatemala-- cannot WAIT to see how that plays out.

I love this series so much guys. SO MUCH. If you haven't read it yet, please do. You won't be sorry.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Popularity Papers: Words of Questionable Wisdom

The Popularity Papers: Words of (Questionable) Wisdom from Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang Amy Ignatow

Lydia’s back from London! But she’s having some re-entry problems. In their never-ending quest to be popular (even though they DON’T CARE what other people think of them) they ruin everything and then try, unsuccessfully, to DO GOOD WORKS. Hilarity ensues.

Everything I love about this series is in full force in this latest installment. This one also has a knitting pattern for chemo caps. The full-color art and infectious enthusiasm never fails to make me smile and laugh out loud at their craziness. Although I could have used more Melody. Always need more Melody.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Popularity Papers: The Long-Distance Dispatch

The Popularity Papers: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang Amy Ignatow

Lydia and Julie are ready to start Middle School, only, they won’t be doing it together! Lydia’s mom’s job is transferring her to London for 6 months!

Teens need to be much more appreciative about international moving. I’m just saying.

Anyway, in middle school, Julie becomes a member of the super-popular group, but they’re actually really mean to her. Lydia, trying and failing to fit in, forms a group of outcasts but bosses them around something terrible. (So, one is bullied, one’s a bully.) Lydia’s mom dates a British bloke and their friendship experiences some strains.

I love Lydia’s enthusiasm and Julie’s comments. I love the drawings and their friendship. I love that it’s a non-issue that Julie has 2 dads. I love that Henry wanted to name their crew the Scoobies, after Buffy.

Lydia and Julie just make me happy. I bet they’ll make you happy, too.

Book Provided by... my local library

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.