The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang

July 1, 2011

Gr 4-6-Julie and Lydia are back with a brand-new dilemma. Just one month before entering junior high, Lydia's mother announces that she has taken a job in London for six months, leaving Julie with the task of becoming popular on her own while her best friend makes new friends and explores a new city. As in The Popularity Papers: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang (Abrams, 2010), the girls communicate often in handwritten notes or via email. Ignatow explores their individual personalities and develops them further through social interactions in their respective schools. Julie struggles with becoming one of the Bichons, an in-group, while Lydia corrals those she considers to be outcasts to try to boost their popularity. Creative illustrations abound, showcasing each character's unique style. This is a great recommendation for reluctant readers and fans of Jeff Kinney's "Wimpy Kid" books (Abrams), Rachel Renee Russell's "Dork Diaries" (S & S), and Jim Benton's "Dear Dumb Diary" books (Scholastic).-Lia Carruthers, Roxbury Public Library, Succasunna, NJ

Copyright 2011 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2011
Grades 3-6 Junior high is about to begin, and BFFs Lydia and Julie are ready to apply all of the lessons they learned in The Popularity Papers (2010) about how to emulate the lives of the in-crowd. Then, at the last minute, Lydias mom moves her family to England, and the girls both must start school from scratch, alone. Return readers will enjoy following the girls communication back and forth across the pond about their new friends, fashion, and (sometimes) lack of both, all conveyed, once again, in a colorful, illustrated journal style. As before, the girls feelings are authentic, and their fun is contagious.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2011, American Library Association.)