Amelia Rules! #5: The Tweenage Guide to Not Being Unpopular

Do you know there’s no true opposite to the word “catastrophe”?

Amelia McBride and company are about to embark on their most daunting mission yet: navigating the promises and pitfalls of popularity at Joe McCarthy Elementary. A tricky task when you consider an unmatched pair of socks alone can cause ridicule for years to come. Really, though, all the gang wants is not to be unpopular. Rising and falling through the ranks of nerd, geek—and cheerleader?—with advice from wacky popularity expert Dr. Victoria Medeochrias, Amelia and her friends encounter riotous mobs, unfortunate makeovers, and bad catch phrases. Even after things go from bad to worse, Amelia learns there are some things that are just a little bit more important than being popular.

 

In his first brand new volume in two years, Jimmy Gownley dishes up another hilariously satisfying dose of Amelia Rules!, in what Comics Buyer’s Guide has called “a timeless manner to which readers young and old can easily relate.”

"Gownley's charming series about Amelia and her everyday struggles with school, family, and friends returns in his first new graphic novel with Amelia grown up a bit. She's now worried about that classic concern: how to be popular, or whether it's even worth it. Amelia, now more of a young woman, less of a child, and Rhonda (of the crazy hair) put up with snubs from the popular blondes and try out for cheerleading in an attempt to jump a few rungs on the social ladder. The book takes time to get going, with a lot of hinting at what's going to happen and mixing up the time flow to artificially induce excitement, but later on, the author's insightful observations of daily kid life are allowed to shine. Rhonda's simple but powerful transformation is a particularly telling moment. Gownley's mimicry and comic allusions are again on display, as Aunt Tanner (the best character for her combination of adult wisdom and youthful energy) tells a tale of her teen years that uncannily resembles an Archie comic. Engaging characters and lively art should capture readers new and old. Ages 9 — 12." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

Amelia and the gang are about to embark on their most daunting mission yet: becoming not unpopular. Its a tricky task when you consider an unmatched pair of socks alone can cause ridicule for years to come. Rising and falling through the ranks of nerd, geek—and cheerleader?—Amelia and her friends encounter riotous mobs, unfortunate makeovers, and bad catchphrases. Even after things go from bad to worse, it seems there are some things that are just a little bit more important than being popular. Jimmy Gownleys first brand-new volume in two years is another hilarious dose of his comics sensation, sure to satisfy devoted fans and delight new readers.

Jimmy Gownley began writing and drawing comics at the age of fifteen. He is an advocate for kids’ comics, having co-founded the organization Kids Love Comics, which works to promote comic books and graphic novels as a valuable tool for literacy and education in schools, libraries, and at home. He lives with his wife Karen and their twin daughters, Stella and Anna, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.