The less-than-hidden secrets and final revelations of Lydia Goldblatt & Julie Graham-Chang by Amy Ignatow. Popularity Papers series #7. Amulet Books/ Abrams, September, 2014. 9781419712708. (Finished copy courtesy of publisher for review.)
As BFFs Lydia and Julie near the end of seventh grade, disasters of all shapes and sizes roll in. A nearby school has a fire and students from there need to attend Hamlin Junior High. With the student body nearly doubled, initial excitement gives way to resentment over crowds and locker sharing and body odor. Julie and Lydia organize a dance to try to unite the students but their journal goes missing and soon photocopied pages plaster the hallways causing everyone to get mad at them and endangering their plans for the dance and their popularity.
I'm so sorry to see this series end. While I haven't read each installment, I didn't need to as it is a popular series at my school. It rises above Wimpy kid and its knockoffs in quality both for the writing and illustrating. Ignatow has a keen ear for authentic dialogue and relatable middle school angst. Her cast of characters are diverse and endearing. She keeps things gentle, opting to avoid snarky cynicism. Her use of tons of color and a variety of fonts keep the eye engaged. The books really do look like notebooks created by two different girls.
I'm eager to see what's next for Ms. Ignatow.
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