Love and Other Fiascos with Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang

The Popularity Papers #6

by Amy Ignatow

Love is in the air! Julie and Roland are an official “couple,” which means . . . well, they’re not exactly sure what, except that it makes Papa Dad extremely anxious. Meanwhile, Lydia’s mom announces that she’s marrying Coach Eric (the soccer coach from England), and Lydia and her sister, Melody, are not happy about it. With the wedding date looming, the girls will have to figure out how to accept the inevitability of change—and that even if the change isn’t what you thought you wanted, it can still end up all right, as long as you have good friends at your side.

Genres: Middle Grade, Graphic Novels, Romance, Childrens, Juvenile, Young Adult, Graphic Novels Comics

208 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2013

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love can certainly make everyone behave in strange ways. As Julie and Roland try to figure out what it means to be a couple, Jane and Chuck continue to break and get back together again, and Lydia and Melody must deal with news of their mother's planned marriage to Eric from England. It's not just the main characters who are affected when love fills the air, but several of the secondary ones as well, including Julie's over-protective Papa Dad, who has trouble dealing with his little girl growing up and becoming the object of boys' attention. This delightful series with its spot-on descriptions of the havoc wreaked by Cupid's arrow is spot on in many respects.

[Togidemi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah god the awkwardness of tween romance AURRGGHRGHGGHH. Very sweet! The Melody subplot was amazing. I love how Julie's just kind of meh about Roland, not flat out Shmoop Zoop I'm In Love, but happy and normal about their new relationship. Love the Jamie Burke comeback. Wished Lydia's London friends showed up a bit more for her, felt like the "migrating from the UK" bit would've warranted seeking their comfort a lil more.

[Megan G · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book a few years ago and I still remember it being an amazing book. The series has some twists and turns but is an amazing series. It's a good read for like 10-year-olds, it's kinda a coming of age series. Its very captivating, I used to sit down and read these books for hours at a time, I've reread these books about 5 times, they never get old. I would Definitely recommend this book.

[Crystal Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that every book is even better than the previous! I loved it. I still hate Lydia's dad.

[Carmina Beatriz Dizon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think Ignatow has become less experimental in the second half of this series. However, this book is so funny and it is definitely relatable for teens that are experiencing the awkward first dates. It even has the cute version (Roland and Julie) and the horrific version (Chuck and Jane)

I feel for Melody, she has unresolved familial problems that she had no choice but to deal with at such a young age. I’m glad it was tackled.

[Rebecca · Rating 2 out of 5]

Love is often boring. Especially the silly little love of middle schoolers. I did like Melody in this, however. There is an interesting thing about Roland, Julie’s crush, that I wanted to bring up in this review. The middle schoolers are obsessed with Roland being Norwegian, and even though this series has middle schoolers acting more like high schoolers, that is the only behavior this series gets right. Kids being obsessed over another kid’s foreign origins.

[Nidos · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still as fun as its previous volumes, but tbh the issues they dealt with were not as strong. Kinda reminded me of Susin Nielsen's George Clooney, Please Marry My Mom, things about letting go and accepting. And love is so in the air!

Three lovely stars.

[Rebecca · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love when YA graphic novelesque books surprise me in a good way. Likable and strong characters, decent enough plot, solid foundation. I even laughed out loud a few times. If I were a middle schooler, I'm sure I would rate this a 5.

[Karla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was asked to read this book and was happily surprised. The tone of the friends is great and the conversations sound just like teens. There are real lessons learned in a super creative way. The characters are 13 and I love how it feels very young.

[Appy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is relatable

[Moana Lotti · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best books I've ever read! Last read about 3 years ago and it was absolutely my favorite book as a kid.

[Jeana]

i love it

[⌦K8U · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 bc it was funny loll

[Meghan · Rating 5 out of 5]

These are just so cute

[Laurel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cutest of the series

[Daisy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think about this book is talk about The girls are impetuous about adolescence, and in this mood, something has happened.And it comes to what romance has to do for these girls. They did i think is very well, i think this is the good book.

[Ubalstecha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lydia & Julie are back, and this time they are dealing with love in all its splendid forms. Julia is dating Roland. Or maybe she isn't. No matter what, it is distressing of Papa Dad. Lydia is dealing with her mothers upcoming nuptials to her British soccer coach and her sisters backlash against it. The two friends try to figure out how loves works and if there is anyway to survive. But when Lydia's sister does something unthinkable, Julia has to step in to help save the day.

Sixth installment of this wonderful graphic novel series continues the adventures of these two wonderful girls and their trip through middle school. Author and illustrator Ignatow has done a wonderful job capturing the humour of the situations that can only happen in junior high. She also does a good job looking at the relationships between parents and children. The girls have just finished grade 7, so here's hoping for three more installments as they head into grade 8.

[Victoria Izzi]

My book “Love and other fiascos” by Amy Ignatow is about love. These two girls named Lydia and Jamie are best friends that are starting to experience love. Jamie gets a new boyfriend. Things are not going well. Lydia’s mom is getting married but Lydia’s sister ,Melody, does not like that idea and wants to prevent it. Jamie and her boyfriend start drifting apart. Melody gets her friend to drive to her dad’s house and Lydia and her mom go get her. Jamie and her boyfriend take a break, then go to the dance with each other. Melody gets used to the new marriage.

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another great popularity papers, I liked the way it was written, I always enjoy books with this much illustration, and with the different handwriting styles for the different girls.

During this book Julie is having communication issues with a friend/boyfriend of hers. Lydia is struggling with what to do when Julie is on a date and with another big surprise revealed by her mother early on in the book.

[Missy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good choice for readers that like Dork Diaries. This is book six in the series and it's beginning to fade. I really enjoyed the series when it first came out because of the illustrations and tone of the book. Also, the storyline focused on the friendship between the girls. This book is different because it focuses on LOVE and BOYS. For that reason it seemed less unique to me because lots of books are about middle school crushes and first dates and kisses. I was a little bored by it.

[Shacoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really good. I really loved the exploration of Melody's character. It was the highlight of the book. I didn't really like Julie's indecision about dating Roland. I also didn't like that just because Julie had a boyfriend, the author felt the need to add some sort of romance for Lydia. I just found it weird.I am excited to see how this series ends.

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy this graphic novel series. Read my full review here:
http://cbabblings.blogspot.com/2015/01/the-popularity-papers-by-amy-ignatow.html

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still one of my favorite tween book series. I love that the girls actually mature and develop over the course of the series, not only visually but in their vocabulary and the way they perceive things. Lydia in particular seems to have grown a lot since the first book. Can't get enough!

[Chloe · Rating 4 out of 5]

My least favorite in the series so far... Still awesome, though.

[Anika · Rating 5 out of 5]

like any of the books from the series i loved it. not my favourite of them all but still defiantly a amusing book.

[Savannah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just finished it today, it's a great book.

[Jenne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oof, so much awkwardness

[Molly · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Ikram Qorane]

Asdgk

[ponderinghope · Rating 5 out of 5]

I actually thought this book was going to be about chuck and Lydia. Never mind on that theory.