The newspaper is used as a symbol of Judy’s Envy As Both a Flaw and a Motivator, as well as her eventual discovery of Success through Kindness. Judy starts thinking about fame after hearing Jessica boast about being in the local newspaper for winning a spelling bee. Judy sees the article and wants to have her own appearance in the local paper, and this motivates her to try various methods of becoming famous. Along the way, Judy learns from her mistakes and demonstrates personal growth as her motivation for gaining recognition changes.

In the beginning, everyone seems to have been in the paper for one reason or another, and even her younger brother Stink had an appearance for being born in the back of a car. In contrast with Judy, Stink doesn’t seem to have to try at all for his fame, while Judy works hard and all she experiences at first is failure. Judy does end up appearing in the paper for the pet contest, but just her elbow, creating a moment of humorous irony: “‘I’m not famous!’ Judy wailed. ‘I’m an elbow!’” (71). Judy eventually gets an anonymous appearance in the paper for fixing the hospital dolls and returning them, expecting no direct recognition for her actions at all. She ends up finding that fulfillment through good deeds is better than fame for its own sake.