New Releases by Amy Ignatow

How do you become popular? Two best friends are on a quest to discover the answer and conquer middle school. Join Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang as they navigate the ups and downs of middle school in this delightful 7-book series, the basis for the hit streaming show. From social experiments to unexpected adventures, these two friends document their findings in a scrapbook-style format that will keep readers laughing and engaged. What''s Inside: Book 1: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: Lydia and Julie embark on their mission to understand what makes the popular girls tick. Book 2: The Long-Distance Dispatch Between Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: The friends face the challenges of maintaining their bond despite physical distance. Book 3: Words of (Questionable) Wisdom from Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: Lydia and Julie share their insights and mishaps as they continue their quest. Book 4: The Rocky Road Trip of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: A summer road trip brings new experiences and lessons. Book 5: The Awesomely Awful Melodies of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: The duo explores their musical talents with mixed results. Book 6: Love and Other Fiascos with Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: Love is in the air, bringing both joy and complications. Book 7: The Less-Than-Hidden Secrets and Final Revelations of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang: The friends uncover secrets and make final revelations about their journey. Why You''ll Love It: * Relatable Characters: Lydia and Julie''s friendship and adventures resonate with readers of all ages. * Humor and Heart: The series balances laugh-out-loud moments with touching lessons about friendship, kindness, and self-confidence. * Unique Format: Presented in a fun, scrapbook style that includes drawings, notes, and doodles, making it an engaging read. The Popularity Papers 7-Book Collection is a must-have for any young reader''s bookshelf. Dive into the world of Lydia and Julie and discover the true meaning of friendship and popularity!

With the captivating 3-book Mighty Odds collection, follow the extraordinary adventures of a group of unlikely heroes who discover they have superpowers after a mysterious bus accident. Each book in this series is packed with action, humor, and heart, making it a must-read for fans of middle-grade fiction. In book one, meet the diverse cast of characters, each grappling with their newfound abilities and the challenges that come with them. From telekinesis to super strength, these powers are as unique as the kids themselves. As they band together to uncover the truth behind their accident, they learn the importance of friendship, courage, and embracing their differences. In book two, the stakes are even higher as the group faces new threats and uncovers deeper secrets about their powers. With unexpected twists and turns, the story keeps readers on the edge of their seats, eager to see what happens next. The characters'' growth and the strengthening of their bonds add depth to the fast-paced narrative. In book three, the heroes must confront their greatest challenges yet. As they come to terms with their identities and the responsibilities that come with their powers, they must work together to save their town from a looming danger. The final book delivers a satisfying and heartwarming end to the series, leaving readers inspired and entertained. Perfect for young readers who love adventure, mystery, and a touch of the supernatural. Join these extraordinary kids as they navigate the ups and downs of their incredible journey, proving that even the most unlikely heroes can make a mighty impact.

What happens when musical instruments can’t make the sounds we expect them to make? Is music still possible? An uplifting picture book based on a true story. The schools of Philadelphia were filling up with broken violins, drums, pianos, and more, making it difficult for students to learn to play. This sparked an idea for a symphony, played entirely with the broken instruments, that would raise funds to repair the instruments themselves. Musicians young and old volunteered, and their captivating performance showed that even something broken can sing—and that great music is always possible with a bit of inventiveness and improvisation. Based on real events, this inspiring story introduces young readers to a range of instruments as it celebrates a community coming together to make a joyful, meaningful noise. More information about the nonprofit organization Broken Orchestra can be found in the back matter, including a link to an audio recording of the symphony performance.

An adorable and hilarious picture book filled with the cutest things imaginable This wacky, imaginative picture book sets out to answer a big question: Wanna see the cutest thing EVER? Just when you think you’ve seen it, there’s more! Is it a kitten? A unicorn? Bunny astronauts? These things are cute, but are they really the cutest thing ever? After being paraded through a colorful world of cuteness, young readers will discover a mirror on the final page, which reflects the actual cutest thing ever and makes them shout—it’s me! With charming illustrations and laugh-out-loud text, The Cutest Thing Ever is a fun read-aloud for parents and children to share together.

The Christina Starspeeder saga continues in this laugh-out-loud epic froom author Amy Ignatow and illustrator Jarrett Krosoczka on this New York Times bestselling series, Star Wars: Jedi Academy! As told through a mix of comics, doodles, and journal entries, it''s a new year at Jedi Academy! Christina Starspeeder made it through her first year at the advanced Jedi Academy . . . Barely . . . And year two isn''t looking any easier! Christina still apprentices under Jedi Master Skia Ro while enduring the non-stop sass from droid Q-13. But this year, she has to balance her studies with constant travel, accompanying Skia Ro on non-stop trips to new worlds full of cool creatures. And those cool creatures are the start of all Christina''s problems this year.When working on the planet Cholganna, Christina falls in love with a baby nexu - a cat-like creature who''s fluffiness is impossible to resist. But when she sneaks the nexu - named "Fluffernut" - back into the dorms, Christina slowly begins to realize why it''s never a good idea to take wild animals for pets. Fluffernut begins growing and growing - she''ll eventually grow to be 14 feet long and 3 feet tall! Plus, she''s chewing up EVERYTHING in sight. And if that weren''t bad enough, a mysterious bounty hunter seems to be on her trail, trying to steal Fluffernut back. Can Christina escape this jam without getting thrown out of Jedi Academy? Or will this be the end of her Jedi Academy career?

The ragtag Odds crew’s useless gifts have gotten out of control. Farshad’s thumbs are so strong that just trying to send a text will break his phone, and Cookie can now send mental directions instead of just listening in on them with her telepathy. To make matters worse, a bunch of their less-than-gifted classmates have become town celebrities thanks to their suspiciously good exam results. But Jay and Nick realize that all these whiz kids have parents who work for Auxano, so they race off to find out what’s really going on. Fans won’t want to miss the conclusion to the adventures of this motley group of heroes and their patchwork powers!

In the second title in the slam-dunk new series from bestselling author Amy Ignatow, the Odds are back and trying to figure out just who inflicted these lame abilities on them in the first place. Nick can still teleport four inches to the left, and Farshad’s thumbs are still super strong. Cookie can still read minds, if they’re thinking of directions, and Martina can still change the color of her eyes. But now, Martina can see the invisible, and when Nick is super stressed, he can move a lot farther than four inches. As their powers evolve in possibly dangerous ways, the Odds are even more determined to solve the mystery of their origin, but it means interacting at school—a serious social risk to popular girl Cookie. Soon, it becomes clear that Auxano, the chemical company that employs half the town, is involved. With the help of some renegade Amish teenagers and Ed, the invisible bus driver, this unlikely group of companions will uncover a nefarious experiment in which they’ve become unwitting test subjects. They’ll also begin to become something even more incredible—friends.

From the renowned author/illustrator of the Popularity Papers series, Amy Ignatow, comes the first installment in a new series about a diverse crew of middle school kids who develop very limited superhero powers after a strange accident and manage to become unlikely friends on the adventure of a lifetime. When a sweet nerd, an artsy cartoonist, a social outcast, and the most popular girl in school are involved in a mysterious bus accident, this seemingly random group of kids starts to notice some very strange abilities they did not have before. Artsy Martina can change her eye color. Nerdy Nick can teleport . . . four inches to the left. Outcast Farshad develops super strength, but only in his thumbs. And Cookie, the It Girl of school’s most popular clique, has suddenly developed the ability to read minds . . . when those minds are thinking about directions. They are oddly mighty—especially together. This group—who would never hang out under normal circumstances—must now combine all of their strengths to figure out what happened during the bus accident. With alternating narratives from each of the heroes, including illustrated pieces from Martina, and featuring bold female superheroes and a multicultural cast, The Mighty Odds is The Breakfast Club for a new generation. For more books by Amy Ignatow, check out her critically acclaimed Popularity Papers series: Book One: Research for the Social Improvement and General Betterment of Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham Chang; Book Two: The Long-Distance Dispatch; Book Three: Words of (Questionable) Wisdom; Book Four: The Rocky Road Trip; Book Five: The Awesomely Awful Melodies; Book Six: Love and Other Fiascos; and Book Seven: The Less-Than-Hidden Secrets and Final Revelations.

Junior high girls Julie and Lydia deal with romance issues as Julie and Roland become an official couple and Lydia's mom announces she is getting married.

Fresh off their epic summer road trip, Julie and Lydia are back and ready to take seventh grade by storm. Well, at least Lydia is: she wants to start a band, and she''s convinced Julie to join her.

Lydia and Julie have been through many adventures as they navigated junior high, popularity, families, and friendship. In the final adventure in the series, the peaceful world of Hamlin Junior High is rocked when Lydia and Julie learn that they’re going to have to play host to new students whose school burned down. The outside threat bands the Hamlin kids together against a common enemy—for a while. When the enemy gets their hands on Lydia and Julie’s notebook, no one wants anything to do with the girls. It’s the biggest threat to their friendship (and a pretty definitive failure of their quest for popularity), and it can only be solved one way. Two words: dance battle.

"Lydia and Julie have been through many adventures as they navigated junior high and the search for popularity, but as they near the end of seventh grade, life seems to be settling into a familiar rhythm. And then ... disaster strikes! Literally. The peaceful world of Hamlin Junior High is rocked when the students learn that they''re going to have to play host to new students whose junior high school burned down. The outside threat bands the Hamlin kids together against a common enemy--for a while. When someone gets their hands on Lydia and Julie''s notebook and starts papering the school with some of the girls'' most private thoughts, no one from either school wants anything to do with them. With the big, combined-school dance looming, how can the girls stop the war and redeem their rotten reputations?"--Page 4 of cover.

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. Praise for The Popularity Papers: Book Six "Julie and Lydia discover just how rocky the road to romance can be in the sixth installment of Ignatow’s Popularity Papers… fans of the series will be rewarded with plenty of giggle-worthy antics from Julie and Lydia." --Kirkus Reviews

It''s summertime, and Julie and Lydia are going on a road trip! They''re looking forward to seeing the sights and getting some new perspective on their quest for popularity. Full color.

"My whole life I planned on going to pilot school like the rest of my friends--then I got rejected! Along came a little green guy named Yoda who invited me to Jedi Academy. Now I''m at a school with aliens, robots, and lightsaber-wielding bullies who can lift things with their minds! How am I supposed to compete with that? As if starting middle school wasn''t hard enough ..." The story of Roan Novachez, Jedi Academy student, is told through comics, journal entries, letters, doodles, and newspaper clippings. This incredible, original story from author/illustrator Jeffrey Brown captures all of the humor, awkwardness, fun, and frustrations of middle school ... in a galaxy far, far away.

It’s summertime, and Lydia and Julie are going on a road trip! After all the ups and downs of their first year in junior high, they’re looking forward to seeing the sights and getting some new perspective on their quest for popularity. Papa Dad and Daddy will provide the transportation, and Lydia and Julie will provide the entertainment. At first they use their Powers of Observation to catalog the traditions and oddities of each new location they visit, but soon their attention turns to parents and negotiating sensitive family dynamics. By the time the duo hits familiar streets again, they may have to accept some uncomfortable truths, but their journey is infused with the humor, heart, and truthfulness that Amy Ignatow is known for.

Best friends Julie and Lydia are back in this hilarious sequel to Amy Ignatow''s breakout novel! After spending all of fifth grade studying popularity together, Julie and Lydia are finally ready to put their hard-earned lessons to use in junior high. But before they can, tragedy strikes: Lydia''s mom gets a job in London for six whole months! Before Lydia can say "fancy a cup of tea?" she''s thrust into a new school, where she earns a reputation as "the Violent American." Meanwhile Julie''s stuck navigating the cliques of American junior high on her own, where she is adopted by a group of troublemaking eighth graders known as the Bichons. The two best friends will have to learn to keep in touch and stand on their own, assisted as always by their trusty notebook. Amy Ignatow''s signature sense of humor is on full display in this satisfying sequel.

Lydia Goldblatt and Julie Graham-Chang are best friends with one goal: to crack the code of popularity. Lydia’s the bold one: aspiring theater star, stick-fighting enthusiast, human guinea pig. Julie’s the shy one: observer and artist, accidental field hockey star, faithful recorder. In this notebook they write down their observations and carry out experiments to try to determine what makes the popular girls tick. But somehow, when Lydia and Julie try to imitate the popular girls, their efforts don’t translate into instant popularity. Lydia ends up with a bald spot, their parents won’t stop yelling, and Julie finds herself the number-one crush of Roland Asbjørnsen. Worse, they seem to be drifting farther and farther from their goal—and each other. Amy Ignatow’s hilarious debut novel introduces the intrepid fifth-graders Julie and Lydia, whose quest to understand popularity may not succeed in the ways they want, but will succeed in keeping readers in stitches. From Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books: Lydia and Julie, BFFs since birth, are now preparing to enter junior high, and they''re on a mission to become popular. First, however, they have to determine exactly how popularity is achieved, so they decide to approach the matter as any good scientist would: observe those creatures already at the height of popularity and apply said observations to themselves, in the hopes of cracking into that mysterious world of junior-high stardom. The two record their observations and the often spectacularly unsuccessful outcomes of their various social experiments in a scrapbook-like journal, complete with notes passed at school, lists of projected popularity goals, and credibly goofy and kidlike drawings. The story here is fairly familiar: the girls fail miserably at their first attempts at the A-list (Lydia''s hair falls out after a botched dye job, among other disasters) but eventually find acceptance in the upper echelon, only to learn the valuable lesson that it''s the people you''re most comfortable around who make the best friends. The diary format, however, adds an extra dimension of funny, and as in Jeff Kinney''s Wimpy Kid series about Greg Heffley, it allows Julie and Lydia to come alive through their witty dialogue, their perceptive commentary, and even their characteristic handwriting. Secondary characters shine as well, particularly Julie''s embarrassing but ultimately charming two dads, along with Lydia''s goth-punk sister, a font of random quips and junior high wisdom. The popular kids end up being far from perfect and each has issues of her own to contend with, making the actual friendships that form among the girls all the more endearing. Those waiting for the next installment of Greg Heffley''s adventures will be well served by this amusing experiment in sixth-grade celebrity. KQG

Two best friends are separated when Lydia''s mother takes a job in London for six months, where Lydia tries to adjust to being an American in an English school and Julie has to deal with the cliques of junior high and a group of troublemakers who want to take her under their wing.

Two best friends embark on a project to study the behavior and taste of the popular girls at their elementary school so that by the time they get to middle school they too will be in the right crowd and record their findings in the form of a scrapbook.