Is this show exactly like the books?

It captures the spirit and the 'scrapbook' visual style, though some plot points are condensed for TV. Fans of the books generally appreciate seeing Lydia and Julie come to life.

Does it have the 'mean girl' bullying that's common in these shows?

There is social rivalry and some 'mean' behavior from popular characters, but it's kept at a TV-G level. It's more about social exclusion than aggressive bullying.

Is there a lot of romance in the show?

It's very mild middle-school 'crush' territory. No heavy romantic themes or inappropriate content for the 8-12 age group.

Where can we actually watch this?

It originally aired on YTV in Canada and BBC in the UK. In the US, it's often found on smaller streaming platforms or via VOD services.

Popularity Papers – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Popularity Papers

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2023

75%

WISE Score

1.0

TMDB

Two best friends treat middle school popularity like a science experiment, documenting every awkward social landmine in their scrapbook.

1.0

→

Popularity Papers

show

2023

75%

WISE Score

1.0

TMDB

Two best friends treat middle school popularity like a science experiment, documenting every awkward social landmine in their scrapbook.

1.0

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1.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Popularity Papers is a charming, if slightly formulaic, adaptation of a beloved book series. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but it handles the 'surviving middle school' theme with more heart and less cynicism than many of its peers.

If your kid is a fan of Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries, this is an easy win. It’s visually engaging enough to keep their attention without the 'brain rot' pacing of some newer streaming originals.

Age Fit

Perfect for the 8-12 crowd. It's squarely aimed at 'tweens' who are just starting to obsess over social standing but aren't ready for the more mature themes of teen dramas.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It centers on a rock-solid friendship between two girls navigating the social landmines of middle school. While it features the usual 'mean girl' tropes and social climbing attempts, the core message consistently lands on being yourself and valuing real connection over status.

Imaginative

The show adopts the 'scrapbook' visual language of the source books, using doodles and mixed-media overlays to represent the girls' 'research' into popularity. It turns a mundane social goal into a pseudo-scientific experiment.

Safe

Extremely safe live-action territory. There is no violence, gore, or mature sexual content. Conflict is restricted to schoolyard rivalries and mild parental misunderstandings.

Enriching

Good for building social emotional literacy regarding cliques and peer pressure. It doesn't offer deep academic value, but it provides a decent mirror for kids entering the 'popularity matters' phase of development.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Creative visual style that mimics the 'scrapbook' feel of the original Amy Ignatow book series with fun on-screen doodles.
Relatable social dynamics for kids who are starting to feel the pressure of cliques and middle school hierarchy.
Positive friendship modeling where the two leads actually support each other rather than engaging in the constant 'frenemy' drama typical of the genre.
Low-stakes conflict makes it a 'light' watch that won't trigger anxiety for kids sensitive to heavy drama or peril.

⚠

What to Watch For

The quest for popularity involves some mild deception and social maneuvering that might need a quick 'is this how real life works?' check-in.
Typical middle school stereotypes (the 'cool' kids, the 'nerds') are played for laughs, which can feel a bit dated or reductive.

Conversation Starters

"Lydia and Julie think there are 'rules' to being popular. Do you think those rules actually exist at your school?"
"Which character do you think is being their truest self, even when it's not 'cool'?"
"If you were making a scrapbook about your school year, what would be the first thing you'd glue in?"

Deep Dive

The Scrapbook Aesthetic

What sets Popularity Papers apart from the standard live-action sitcom fare is its commitment to the source material's visual identity. The books by Amy Ignatow are famous for being 'written' by two girls in a shared notebook, filled with drawings and pasted-in artifacts. The show manages to translate this by using animated overlays and a fast-paced, almost 'vlog-like' energy that feels modern without being frantic.

Social Science for Tweens

The central premise—that popularity is a code that can be cracked through observation and experimentation—is a great hook. It allows the show to dissect social behaviors that kids usually just feel instinctively. By turning popularity into a 'project,' it gives kids a bit of distance to laugh at how silly school hierarchies can be.

While the production value reveals its Canadian-TV roots (it’s not a big-budget Netflix spectacle), the chemistry between the two leads carries it. It’s a solid choice for a family watch that won't make parents cringe, though anyone over 14 will likely find it too 'kiddie.'

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