Fifth graders Lydia and Julie are best friends determined to crack the code of popularity. They diligently fill a notebook with observations of the popular girls and study what they have learned with the hope that by imitating these girls, they also will achieve such a rank by middle school. But their imitation efforts backfire, often with disastrous results. Not only are they not becoming popular, there is now friction in their friendship. Is being popular worth it?

This very funny book is written in diary format with illustrations, much like Diary of a Wimpy Kid. The girls gain some popularity only to discover that it is not all it is cracked up to be, and discover that even the popular girls have problems. Its message is clear: appearances can be deceiving, and the best place to be is with friends you are comfortable with. There are some age-appropriate crushes. Julie has two sweet dads, but the situation is not addressed or explained. This would be a good choice for a reluctant reader.

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