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

Lydia and Julie are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia’s the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, and human guinea pig. Julie’s the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey jock, and faithful recorder.

As they carry out social experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick, they gather their observations in a notebook. But somehow, the harder Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, the farther they get from their goal—and each other. Eventually, Julie and Lydia learn unexpected lessons about the value of friendship, kindness, and confidence.

Amy Ignatow understands friendship and the fifth grade, and she knows just how to wring humor out of ordinary and extraordinary moments.