Sometimes you just need to laugh...

Perhaps everyone at work is in a foul mood. And things are tense at home. To say nothing of the world news -- could it get any worse? At times like this, you need an escape. Have some chocolate and one of those decadent whipped latte frocha things. And settle in with a good read.

Here are two. One for middle grades. One for young adults.

THE POPULARITY PAPERS by Amy Ignatow (Amulet Books, $15.95, pub date April 1, 2010, ages 9 to 12).

Hilarious hijinks of two fifth grade girls who just want to be popular. They observe the popular girls in school to see what makes them tick. Is it their hair? Their cell phones? Their involvement in the school musical? Lydia and Julie record their findings in a journal. And that's what you're reading. It looks EXACTLY the way two fifth-grade girls would write and draw and doodle. If you're looking for something as laugh-out-loud funny as Jeff Kinney's Wimpy Kid books, but need something more girlish, this is for you. Amy Ignatow is a local Philly author/illustrator and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next.



GIMME A CALL by Sarah Mlynowski (Delacorte Press, $17.99, Pub date April 27, 2010, ages 12 and up).

I don't remember the last time a book gave me such a serious case of the giggles. Gimme A Call is adorable. Of course, there's a serious side to it and the protag learns something (for all you aspiring authors out there -- this is an awesome example of character development). But, really, what a hoot!

Devi Banks is a 17-year-old high school senior. She's gotten into a crappy college, has lost all her friends, and just been dumped by her long-standing boyfriend. Then she drops her cell phone in a fountain. It won't work -- except to call herself at age 14. Once Devi the senior convinces Devi the freshman ("Frosh") she's for real, things get interesting. Frosh, we could get into a good college! We could get our friends back! And don't start going out with Brian. He'll break your heart!

That kind of interesting.

Oh, just read it.