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Emmie & Friends #1
Invisible Emmie
This is the story of two totally different girls—quiet, shy, artistic Emmie and popular, outgoing, athletic Katie—and how their lives unexpectedly intersect one day when an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published May 2, 2017
1665 people are currently reading
12861 people want to read
About the author
Terri Libenson
21 books691 followersTerri Libenson (pronounced LEE-ben-son) is a New York Times bestselling children’s book author and award-winning cartoonist of the syndicated daily comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, which ran from 2006-2020. She was also an award-winning humorous card writer for American Greetings.
Terri graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA in illustration and a minor in art history. Her daily syndicated comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, launched with King Features in 2006 and ran in hundreds of newspapers internationally until its retirement in January, 2020. Pajama Diaries has been nominated four times for the Reuben Award for “Best Newspaper Comic Strip” by the National Cartoonists Society and won in 2016. You can read the Pajama Diaries archives daily on ComicsKingdom.com.
Terri has three Pajama Diaries book collections: Deja To-Do, Having It All–And No Time To Do It, and Bat-Zilla. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade series, Emmie & Friends (Balzer + Bray).
Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Terri lives with her husband and two daughters in Cleveland, OH.
Terri graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA in illustration and a minor in art history. Her daily syndicated comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, launched with King Features in 2006 and ran in hundreds of newspapers internationally until its retirement in January, 2020. Pajama Diaries has been nominated four times for the Reuben Award for “Best Newspaper Comic Strip” by the National Cartoonists Society and won in 2016. You can read the Pajama Diaries archives daily on ComicsKingdom.com.
Terri has three Pajama Diaries book collections: Deja To-Do, Having It All–And No Time To Do It, and Bat-Zilla. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade series, Emmie & Friends (Balzer + Bray).
Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Terri lives with her husband and two daughters in Cleveland, OH.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,309 reviews
December 17, 2017
there's a lot of weird stuff going on in this book. like, a lot of body shaming? b/c you're never too young to learn that your societal worth is based on the weight of your flesh prison. also there's this weird thing in the prologue where someone's made fun of for "ha[ving] some kind of disability." which is so next-level f*cked up that it's impossible to make excuses for.
also, not a lot of general acceptance for a middle school book. this book is literally exclusively about one girl's path to self-acceptance, even as that girl is really garbage to those around her??? constantly making fun of people for smelling bad, acting a certain way, the way they look.
middle school is hard regardless, dude. cut a kid a break.
the ending made up for some of the other stuff i previously disliked about this book, though, so. two stars. yippee.
bottom line: this is a next-level quick read, but also you should read essentially any other middle grade novel before this one.
also, not a lot of general acceptance for a middle school book. this book is literally exclusively about one girl's path to self-acceptance, even as that girl is really garbage to those around her??? constantly making fun of people for smelling bad, acting a certain way, the way they look.
middle school is hard regardless, dude. cut a kid a break.
the ending made up for some of the other stuff i previously disliked about this book, though, so. two stars. yippee.
bottom line: this is a next-level quick read, but also you should read essentially any other middle grade novel before this one.
June 13, 2022
A graphic novel after my own heart! Where were these books when I was in middle school, hiding out in the library during lunch? It reminded me so much of the movie Sixteen Candles, which had such a special place in my heart when I discovered it at the age of thirteen.
Emmie is such a dear character. She takes solace in being the invisible girl in school. Inside though, she's teeming with observations and artistry, and secretly longs to be like the ever popular Katie, who naturally smells of "rainbow goodness" even after sweaty gym class. I can totally relate! I even do that now sometimes. Highly recommend!
Emmie is such a dear character. She takes solace in being the invisible girl in school. Inside though, she's teeming with observations and artistry, and secretly longs to be like the ever popular Katie, who naturally smells of "rainbow goodness" even after sweaty gym class. I can totally relate! I even do that now sometimes. Highly recommend!
September 25, 2020
a middle grade graphic novel that talks about a girl that is on the road of accepting herself but the book has so many red flags?? ironic how a book about self acceptance is not that accepting after all
August 21, 2021
~ First Impression ~
That was sweet. It was enjoyable. I flew through it; graphic novels are quick reads for me. It was fun. It wasn't a life-changing book, but I liked it a lot.
~ Stats ~
Title: Invisible Emmie (Emmie & Friends series, #1)
Straightforward title. Makes sense.
Author: Terri Libenson
Genre: Middle grade contemporary
Age Recommendation: 9+ (I don't think 8-year-olds would connect with all the crush-drama that happens. Depends on the 8-year-old though, I suppose.)
~ Characters ~
★★★ -- 3 stars
We've got Emmie Douglass, our protagonist. Emmie's really shy and quiet, and loves to draw. She has an epic crush on Tyler Ross, a popular boy. Emmie's best friend is Brianna Davis, a slightly bossy and very smart person who is a bit more well known than Emmie. Then there's the moronic Joe Lungo, Tyler's best friend Anthony Randall, who spits, and whom Bri is crushing on, and of course, the popular girl, Katie.
Emmie is a relatable character. She's not a popular kid, she's shy, and afraid to speak up. I liked her a lot. We don't see much depth to our characters yet, but it's only the first book in the series.
~ Plot ~
★★★★ -- 4 stars
The plot is quite straightforward. When Emmie and Brianna jokingly draft cheesy love letters to their crushes, Emmie loses hers, and it falls into the grimy hands of fellow classmate Joe Lungo. Suddenly, Emmie's letter to Tyler Ross is the talk of the school. She has to juggle taunting and bullying with a strained relationship with her BFF Bri.
Meanwhile, popular girl Katie is dating Tyler Ross, Emmie's crush. She doesn't feel threatened by Emmie -- after all, how could Tyler prefer the quiet girl over her? Feeling sorry for Emmie, she helps her out. But Emmie has to learn to speak for herself.
The plot is designed to make it easy for middle school students to relate, and it does so successfully. Friend drama, crush drama, and bully drama wind together, creating a braid of the middle school experience that everyone can find something relatable in. The graphic-novel style creates a quick pace, and readers won't be bored as they flip the pages.
~ Setting ~
★★★★ -- 4 stars
The setting of this book is Lakefront Middle School, a generic middle school that is not, in fact, by a lake. This nonspecific school location allows readers to input themselves into the situations and have it feel real for their own lives. A good choice for this book.
~ Style/Format ~
★★★★★ -- 5 stars
The graphic novel style makes the book more appealing to reluctant readers, and the more minimal comic style for Emmie's point of view, with more text and not much color variation, conveys her quiet personality. This gives a great contrast when Katie's POV is bright and colorful, filling up the page with bold illustrations and excited text.
I liked the double-pov idea. It showed two sides to the middle school experience, and added suspense when a character's chapter ended and you didn't know what happened next.
~ Theme ~
★★★ -- 3 stars
Theme was slightly heavy-handed in this book. The idea of speaking up for yourself was not all that subtle. But that is an important thing for young readers to know, so it's not all that horrible. Just a bit overdone.
~ General Thoughts ~
Good book for middle schoolers -- relatable, quick, and easy to read. :)
Overall rating -- ★★★★ 4 stars
If you liked this book
Definitely try some Raina Telgemeier books, like Smile, Sisters, or Guts.
My review of Becoming Brianna
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Just Jaime
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
That was sweet. It was enjoyable. I flew through it; graphic novels are quick reads for me. It was fun. It wasn't a life-changing book, but I liked it a lot.
~ Stats ~
Title: Invisible Emmie (Emmie & Friends series, #1)
Straightforward title. Makes sense.
Author: Terri Libenson
Genre: Middle grade contemporary
Age Recommendation: 9+ (I don't think 8-year-olds would connect with all the crush-drama that happens. Depends on the 8-year-old though, I suppose.)
~ Characters ~
★★★ -- 3 stars
We've got Emmie Douglass, our protagonist. Emmie's really shy and quiet, and loves to draw. She has an epic crush on Tyler Ross, a popular boy. Emmie's best friend is Brianna Davis, a slightly bossy and very smart person who is a bit more well known than Emmie. Then there's the moronic Joe Lungo, Tyler's best friend Anthony Randall, who spits, and whom Bri is crushing on, and of course, the popular girl, Katie.
Emmie is a relatable character. She's not a popular kid, she's shy, and afraid to speak up. I liked her a lot. We don't see much depth to our characters yet, but it's only the first book in the series.
~ Plot ~
★★★★ -- 4 stars
The plot is quite straightforward. When Emmie and Brianna jokingly draft cheesy love letters to their crushes, Emmie loses hers, and it falls into the grimy hands of fellow classmate Joe Lungo. Suddenly, Emmie's letter to Tyler Ross is the talk of the school. She has to juggle taunting and bullying with a strained relationship with her BFF Bri.
Meanwhile, popular girl Katie is dating Tyler Ross, Emmie's crush. She doesn't feel threatened by Emmie -- after all, how could Tyler prefer the quiet girl over her? Feeling sorry for Emmie, she helps her out. But Emmie has to learn to speak for herself.
The plot is designed to make it easy for middle school students to relate, and it does so successfully. Friend drama, crush drama, and bully drama wind together, creating a braid of the middle school experience that everyone can find something relatable in. The graphic-novel style creates a quick pace, and readers won't be bored as they flip the pages.
~ Setting ~
★★★★ -- 4 stars
The setting of this book is Lakefront Middle School, a generic middle school that is not, in fact, by a lake. This nonspecific school location allows readers to input themselves into the situations and have it feel real for their own lives. A good choice for this book.
~ Style/Format ~
★★★★★ -- 5 stars
The graphic novel style makes the book more appealing to reluctant readers, and the more minimal comic style for Emmie's point of view, with more text and not much color variation, conveys her quiet personality. This gives a great contrast when Katie's POV is bright and colorful, filling up the page with bold illustrations and excited text.
I liked the double-pov idea. It showed two sides to the middle school experience, and added suspense when a character's chapter ended and you didn't know what happened next.
~ Theme ~
★★★ -- 3 stars
Theme was slightly heavy-handed in this book. The idea of speaking up for yourself was not all that subtle. But that is an important thing for young readers to know, so it's not all that horrible. Just a bit overdone.
~ General Thoughts ~
Good book for middle schoolers -- relatable, quick, and easy to read. :)
Overall rating -- ★★★★ 4 stars
If you liked this book
Definitely try some Raina Telgemeier books, like Smile, Sisters, or Guts.
My review of Becoming Brianna
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
My review of Just Jaime
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
March 20, 2018
Emmie is a quiet kid. She goes through her days at school doing her best to avoid attention. She has one close friend who goes to the same school, and when they're not together, she's pretty much drawing a lot and trying to blend in with the scenery.
And then something happens that brings her quite a bit of unwanted attention. And she's forced to go through a very rough day at school and face some of her fears.
I suppose she learns that kids in middle school aren't always what they seem. before the troubling event, kids seem to Emmie like one-dimensional terrifying creatures who can be defined by just one word: popular, brainy, stinky (according to Emmie), nerdy, cute, etc. Sometimes when you're so worried about how other people do or don't see you, you forget to really try to see them.
So, Emmie learns a bit about people maybe not being quite as scary as she thought? And this is a book about pushing past some fears and connecting with other kids?
This is a tough one to rate. It's really uneven. The opening was kind of awful and I almost put it down before I was half-way through. then I started to care a little bit more about Emmie and her predicament.
It's not that I can't relate to Emmie's experiences in middle school. I can. I just didn't entirely relate to her as a character, and the structure of the book was a bit distracting.
Basically, there are two narratives that alternate through the book. I thought one was Emmie's journal and one comics Emmie was writing about someone else in her class. and the whole alternating business was a bit distracting. there's a bit of a 'big reveal' at the end when the truth about the alternating stories is addressed (I won't say more as I don't want to go spoilering...) It wasn't all that interesting or satisfying conceptually or narratively speaking.
One thing I really appreciate is how well Libenson captures how wildly stressful and painful difficult social situations can seem when you're that age, and how much courage it can take just to get through an afternoon. And how things that seem like the end of the world can sometimes lead to new beginnings.
And then something happens that brings her quite a bit of unwanted attention. And she's forced to go through a very rough day at school and face some of her fears.
I suppose she learns that kids in middle school aren't always what they seem. before the troubling event, kids seem to Emmie like one-dimensional terrifying creatures who can be defined by just one word: popular, brainy, stinky (according to Emmie), nerdy, cute, etc. Sometimes when you're so worried about how other people do or don't see you, you forget to really try to see them.
So, Emmie learns a bit about people maybe not being quite as scary as she thought? And this is a book about pushing past some fears and connecting with other kids?
This is a tough one to rate. It's really uneven. The opening was kind of awful and I almost put it down before I was half-way through. then I started to care a little bit more about Emmie and her predicament.
It's not that I can't relate to Emmie's experiences in middle school. I can. I just didn't entirely relate to her as a character, and the structure of the book was a bit distracting.
Basically, there are two narratives that alternate through the book. I thought one was Emmie's journal and one comics Emmie was writing about someone else in her class. and the whole alternating business was a bit distracting. there's a bit of a 'big reveal' at the end when the truth about the alternating stories is addressed (I won't say more as I don't want to go spoilering...) It wasn't all that interesting or satisfying conceptually or narratively speaking.
One thing I really appreciate is how well Libenson captures how wildly stressful and painful difficult social situations can seem when you're that age, and how much courage it can take just to get through an afternoon. And how things that seem like the end of the world can sometimes lead to new beginnings.
July 19, 2017
Didn't see the end coming but I've never been able to lol. I feel like this book is more accurate to us shy folks and maybe those of us with a little (a lot) bit of social anxiety. I remember elementary school (before homeschool) was a hard time for me and I'd read to avoid talking to people, of course all the teachers loved me because I was quiet too. I wish I had this book when I was in school, I finished this in public of all places and nearly cried my eyes out because it brought back all my memories of those horrible stomach knots before and during school and everything Emmie went through her daily school day just mirrored my own and I even had a bossy best friend and I'm off topic so I'll just conclude with___ READ THIS YOU'LL LOVE IT FOREVER!!!
April 29, 2018
there were so many unkind stereotypes in this, i don’t even know where to begin. first off, any book that teases a kid with disabilities is not my cup of tea. also pointing out “the token emo girl” and “smelly kid” and “kid with crazy eyes” just isn’t that funny. making it into a book for middle school kids? also not that funny. also, why the heck were there dead rats in the school hallways????
i did appreciated this story, as i often felt a lot like Emmie in middle school. Middle school is a weird place and this books definitely captured that. also the ending did actually surprise me, and i thought the twist was pretty brilliant! i also really enjoyed the contrasting art for both girls throughout.
unfortunately, all the negatives outweighed the positives in this one.
i did appreciated this story, as i often felt a lot like Emmie in middle school. Middle school is a weird place and this books definitely captured that. also the ending did actually surprise me, and i thought the twist was pretty brilliant! i also really enjoyed the contrasting art for both girls throughout.
unfortunately, all the negatives outweighed the positives in this one.
September 18, 2019
This is a graphic novel my middle school self could have related to. I was shy and read a lot. I also like to draw and was terrified to talk to boys. My real self was like Emmie and I so wanted to be like the popular, perfect Katie. The contrasting artwork for the two girls' stories clearly shows the differences in the way they look at the world. There are also little details in Emmie's story that add humor and lift up her somewhat deadpan delivery. Would recommend to fellow bookworms and kids who like reading graphic novels like Real Friends and Sunny Side Up.
August 2, 2017
This was adorable! I wish I had this book when I was in middle school. (I also loved that Emmie loved the library and felt safe and comfortable there! Woo!) I can't wait to pass this along to my 7th graders this year!
April 3, 2024
Η Έμυ είναι ένα έφηβο κορίτσι που πάει γυμνάσιο. Έχει δύο μεγαλύτερα αδέρφια, την κολλητή της την λένε Μπριάννα, λατρεύει τη ζωγραφική κι έχει τρομερά προβλήματα με το άγχος και την αυτοεκτίμησή της.
Η Κέιτι είναι το ακριβώς αντίθετο. Είναι η καλύτερη μαθήτρια στην τάξη της, είναι άριστη και σε ο,τι αφορά τις εξωσχολικές δραστηριότητες, όλοι της λένε πόσο όμορφη είναι και έχει πάρα πολλούς φίλους.
Τα κορίτσια φαίνεται πως όμως έχουν ένα κοινό: τους αρέσει το ίδιο αγόρι, κάτι που μαθαίνεται με έναν τρόπο εντελώς ντροπιαστικό για την ��μυ και την καθιστά, από εκεί που ήταν αόρατη, ως τον στόχο πολλών κοροϊδευτικά σχολίων από τους συμμαθητές της.
Πώς θα μπορέσει η Έμυ να διαχειριστεί αυτή την άσχημη κατάσταση στο σχολείο; Και η Κέιτι τι ρόλο μπορεί να παίξει σε όλο αυτό;
Οι σκέψεις μου.
Είχα πολύ καιρό να διαβάσω κάποιο βιβλίο που να ανήκει στο είδος του middle grade (ή όπως λέμε αλλιώς, προεφηβικό).
Το συγκεκριμένο θεωρώ πως κύλησε εύκολα κι ευχάριστα. Κάτι στο οποίο βοήθησε και το γεγονός ότι εμπεριείχε πολλά σκίτσα, με ορισμένα κεφάλαια να αποτελούνται αποκλειστικά από αυτά (και τώρα που το σκέφτομαι, αναρωτιέμαι αν από αυτό έπρεπε να ψυλλιαστώ την ανατροπή στο τέλος) αλλά και οι χιουμοριστικοί διάλογοι και περιγραφές που υπάρχουν σε αφθονία εδώ.
Η Έμυ, μού θύμισε σε αρκετά σημεία τον εαυτό μου, καθώς κι εγώ ήμουν από τα παιδιά που στο σχολείο δεν πέρναγαν πολύ καλά, είχαν ελάχιστους φίλους, προτιμούσαν τα καλλιτεχνικά, και περνούσαν πολλές ώρες στη σχολική βιβλιοθήκη.
Η Κέιτι μού ήταν επίσης συμπαθής και είχε ένα ενδιαφέρον που δεν ακολούθησε το στερεότυπο της κακιάς, δημοφιλούς έφηβης, που κάνει bullying στην πρωταγωνίστρια.
Η αλήθεια είναι ότι περίμενα να δω πως θα μπλέκονταν οι ιστορίες τους και πώς θα γίνονταν φίλες στο τέλος (ναι, αυτό περίμενα να γίνει) και παραξενευόμουν όσο φτάναμε στο τέλος και κάτι τέτοιο δεν γινόταν.
Την ανατροπή στο τέλος, δεν την περίμενα με τίποτα, και ομολογώ πως πέρασα λίγη ώρα με το να σκέφτομαι αν εν τέλει δεν βγάζει νόημα ή με το αν, πηγαίνοντας στην αρχή του βιβλίου και κοιτάζοντας πιο προσεκτικά, η ανατροπή όχι μόνο βγάζει νόημα, αλλά κι εξηγεί κάποια κομμάτια του βιβλίου. Νομίζω σε αυτή τη φάση, κλίνω προς το δεύτερο.
Σκεφτόμουν τι βαθμολογία να δώσω σε αυτό.
Να βάλω 5/5 επειδή το διασκέδασα και δεν βρήκα κάτι που να μη μού αρέσει, ή να βάλω 4/5, γιατί οκεϊ, καλό ήταν, αλλά δεν ήταν και κάτι ριζοσπαστικό;
Δεν ξέρω, νιώθω γενναιόδωρη σήμερα, οπότε με βλέπω να καταλήγω στο 5/5.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
Η Κέιτι είναι το ακριβώς αντίθετο. Είναι η καλύτερη μαθήτρια στην τάξη της, είναι άριστη και σε ο,τι αφορά τις εξωσχολικές δραστηριότητες, όλοι της λένε πόσο όμορφη είναι και έχει πάρα πολλούς φίλους.
Τα κορίτσια φαίνεται πως όμως έχουν ένα κοινό: τους αρέσει το ίδιο αγόρι, κάτι που μαθαίνεται με έναν τρόπο εντελώς ντροπιαστικό για την ��μυ και την καθιστά, από εκεί που ήταν αόρατη, ως τον στόχο πολλών κοροϊδευτικά σχολίων από τους συμμαθητές της.
Πώς θα μπορέσει η Έμυ να διαχειριστεί αυτή την άσχημη κατάσταση στο σχολείο; Και η Κέιτι τι ρόλο μπορεί να παίξει σε όλο αυτό;
Οι σκέψεις μου.
Είχα πολύ καιρό να διαβάσω κάποιο βιβλίο που να ανήκει στο είδος του middle grade (ή όπως λέμε αλλιώς, προεφηβικό).
Το συγκεκριμένο θεωρώ πως κύλησε εύκολα κι ευχάριστα. Κάτι στο οποίο βοήθησε και το γεγονός ότι εμπεριείχε πολλά σκίτσα, με ορισμένα κεφάλαια να αποτελούνται αποκλειστικά από αυτά (και τώρα που το σκέφτομαι, αναρωτιέμαι αν από αυτό έπρεπε να ψυλλιαστώ την ανατροπή στο τέλος) αλλά και οι χιουμοριστικοί διάλογοι και περιγραφές που υπάρχουν σε αφθονία εδώ.
Η Έμυ, μού θύμισε σε αρκετά σημεία τον εαυτό μου, καθώς κι εγώ ήμουν από τα παιδιά που στο σχολείο δεν πέρναγαν πολύ καλά, είχαν ελάχιστους φίλους, προτιμούσαν τα καλλιτεχνικά, και περνούσαν πολλές ώρες στη σχολική βιβλιοθήκη.
Η Κέιτι μού ήταν επίσης συμπαθής και είχε ένα ενδιαφέρον που δεν ακολούθησε το στερεότυπο της κακιάς, δημοφιλούς έφηβης, που κάνει bullying στην πρωταγωνίστρια.
Η αλήθεια είναι ότι περίμενα να δω πως θα μπλέκονταν οι ιστορίες τους και πώς θα γίνονταν φίλες στο τέλος (ναι, αυτό περίμενα να γίνει) και παραξενευόμουν όσο φτάναμε στο τέλος και κάτι τέτοιο δεν γινόταν.
Την ανατροπή στο τέλος, δεν την περίμενα με τίποτα, και ομολογώ πως πέρασα λίγη ώρα με το να σκέφτομαι αν εν τέλει δεν βγάζει νόημα ή με το αν, πηγαίνοντας στην αρχή του βιβλίου και κοιτάζοντας πιο προσεκτικά, η ανατροπή όχι μόνο βγάζει νόημα, αλλά κι εξηγεί κάποια κομμάτια του βιβλίου. Νομίζω σε αυτή τη φάση, κλίνω προς το δεύτερο.
Σκεφτόμουν τι βαθμολογία να δώσω σε αυτό.
Να βάλω 5/5 επειδή το διασκέδασα και δεν βρήκα κάτι που να μη μού αρέσει, ή να βάλω 4/5, γιατί οκεϊ, καλό ήταν, αλλά δεν ήταν και κάτι ριζοσπαστικό;
Δεν ξέρω, νιώθω γενναιόδωρη σήμερα, οπότε με βλέπω να καταλήγω στο 5/5.
If you made it this far, congratulations!
'Til next time, take care :) :) :)
Read
August 22, 2023somethings, such as bodyshaming and ableism, were thrown here and there made the book a bit of a lame bummer. the ending was so confusing, like I get it, but still, feels unfinished and made up on the spot. I relate to Emmie, but not to the surprising, out of no where way her struggles were resolved. Had a strong start, but the way everything ended was a huge letdown in comparison.
March 14, 2017
I really liked this one quite a bit-- possibly because I am quiet, shy, awkward, and like to read, much like the main character. She's easy to identify with, and her parents' hilarious antics, their quirks mentioned in brief asides, seem like sweet, lovable characters. But that aside, the illustrations are great (especially the unnecessary labeling of things happening in the background), the jokes land (even/especially the callbacks), and the twist ending is empowering.
Considering how much Raina Telgemeier sold, I really hope this book gets the marketing campaign it deserves. I think it could become a bestseller given the opportunity.
Considering how much Raina Telgemeier sold, I really hope this book gets the marketing campaign it deserves. I think it could become a bestseller given the opportunity.
May 20, 2018
Such a relatable, quick, easy read. Just what I needed after my last intense read before I pick up a new book.
March 15, 2024
Rereading this book after one of the sequels was probably a mistake. Time has not been kind to this. From random ableism to an ending I'm not sure the target reader would understand without guidance, I can't exactly recommend this book.
Echoing other reviewers some of the body shaming and ways the main character puts down others makes this an uncomfortable read at times and did not feel as vividly real as Just Jaimie did.
Echoing other reviewers some of the body shaming and ways the main character puts down others makes this an uncomfortable read at times and did not feel as vividly real as Just Jaimie did.
November 4, 2017
I've read some really relatable, entertaining middle grade graphic novels this year, but this one fell flat. It seemed very... generic, including the artwork. (Also, why the casual body shaming?)
May 8, 2024
I am glad a book like this exists, but holy moly was it difficult to read. At times I read through my fingers (metaphorically speaking) and tied myself up in sympathetic knots of embarrassed agony for Emmie as she goes through her invisible life and then suddenly, in the worst possible middle school way, finds herself visible and exposed. I’m terrible at being able to analyze art, but even I noticed how the sections of the story that Emmie’s classmate Katie tells - Katie who is everything Emmie is not - are in lively colors while Emmie’s were drab and plodding. Which was a nice touch, but also made me deeply skeptical. As I was reading, I was reminded of my own middle school years, different from Emmie, but not all that different in that I HATED them. Years later, after becoming friends (or friendish) with the people who I had assumed were dancing through middle school, it turned out that everyone hated middle school. Everyone. So the sections about Katie had me waiting for the other shoe to drop, which still made me appreciate how things wrapped up, in small triumphs and understanding. Like its heroine, Invisible Emmie is a quiet story of quiet triumph that many of us will probably see ourselves in, no matter how long it’s been since our middle school years, or how we felt about them. (I bet you hated them.)
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April 26, 2019
Emmie is the Invisible Girl, and Katie is one of the most popular girls in school. Yet their lives intersect in the strangest of ways on Emmie's worst day.
Color me very intrigued by this middle grade graphic novel.
I enjoyed the way the text was interspersed with the comics, and I enjoyed how the two girls' lives were drawn. Emmie's was text and graphics, with the illustrations muted, more stick figurey, while Katie's were bold, vivacious and dramatic multi-panel comics to show how wonderful her life was.
Tbh, Katie was annoying as hell, with her constant confidence and perfection at literally everything, but I will have to admit that I did not see that twist coming.
This has been compared to Smile and the Awkward series, but I think it was probably closer to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, except that Emmie is not actually trying to become popular but just wants to maintain the status quo (or maybe just gain the confidence to talk to people better).
Content warning: ableist slurs (stupid, crazy, comments about cognitive disabilities, Hellen Keller joke)
Color me very intrigued by this middle grade graphic novel.
I enjoyed the way the text was interspersed with the comics, and I enjoyed how the two girls' lives were drawn. Emmie's was text and graphics, with the illustrations muted, more stick figurey, while Katie's were bold, vivacious and dramatic multi-panel comics to show how wonderful her life was.
Tbh, Katie was annoying as hell, with her constant confidence and perfection at literally everything, but I will have to admit that I did not see that twist coming.
This has been compared to Smile and the Awkward series, but I think it was probably closer to Diary of a Wimpy Kid, except that Emmie is not actually trying to become popular but just wants to maintain the status quo (or maybe just gain the confidence to talk to people better).
Content warning: ableist slurs (stupid, crazy, comments about cognitive disabilities, Hellen Keller joke)
April 19, 2017
Beautiful beautiful beautiful. At 24 years old, I may be slightly embarrassed to say there was a part in this book where I almost cried, solely because Emmie reminds me so much of myself (both now and at 13). This was the book I needed to read in 6th grade at the start of middle school. I loved Emmie's snippy commentary, the close-to-home details in the illustrations, and the cast of characters. I was a little put-off by Katie's "too perfect" characterization but the ending was beautiful and tied Katie's character arc together in a way that made up for it. I wish this book took place over a period of time longer than a day; the ending was great but it did feel a little rushed and some breathing room for Emmie would've been nice. Secretly hoping this becomes a recurring series because I can't wait for more. An absolute must-read for any tween struggling with social anxiety, shyness, or just general introversion.
August 29, 2019
I think I enjoyed Terri Libenson's latest, Just Jaime, more, but this one was sweet too. I read some reviews pointing out body shaming, and I did notice it. Little markers saying someone is smelly. It's subtle and most likely unintentional, but it did make me feel uneasy. However the perspective of someone who feels "invisible" - as opposed to the constantly bullied who will in the end rise up and become the hero of the story - is so rare, refreshing and real. I can relate to Emmie a lot. And the twist towards the end was amazing. So heartwarming.
July 3, 2017
Loved it! The voice was pitch-perfect, writing and art was incredible. I related so well to Emmie and the ending was perfection. This my favorite mg graphic novel since Roller Girl. Graphic novels are killing it lately! <3
June 28, 2018
This was spot on with my middle school experience (that I've mostly blocked out, don't worry). Told in alternating POVs of "invisible" Emmie and "popular kid" Katie, it shows the two very different takes on adolescence.
October 17, 2024
I tell Brianna the whole truth. How I've always wanted to be: pretty, popular, smart, gutsy, athletic…But for the first time… I think I’ll be okay without her.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/ 5 Stars
The book is the light-hearted and page-turning middle grade that you can finish with satisfaction in one spot that you’re looking for. Or, that’s certainly the case for me.
I think a lot of us readers will resonate with Emmie, who is quiet and shy and not very social. I find myself portrayed in her in a lot of ways as well, with such a detailed experience for various things. Though Emmie says she’s not one of those cliche outcasts in middle school, I think she totally is, haha. She’s a daydreamer, burying herself into what she truly enjoys, and, you might have guessed, invisible.
Katie is definitely the opposite of Emmie, and we can see that it feels almost too natural for her. Katie always stands up for herself—and others, gets too many text messages a day, and has too many friends. She doesn’t understand at all why Emmie is so shy and meek. While we might all want to live Katie’s life (even if it’s one day… Trust me, I daydreamed about this), I honestly don’t think her life is truly as authentic as Emmie’s. If she was invisible, she would truly find her identity.
But truthfully, I feel very over the middle school phase. I think all the things that felt like the world to Emmie and Katie in this book would only be a matter to laugh at in the future. However, these dramatic responses and actions are what makes the middle school journey really fun—to look back on, at least. And, of course, all of that is what makes this book a genuine middle school (graphic) novel.
This book is honestly super realistic. It mimics the whole American public school experience very well, I think. That’s why I recommend this book to any middle schooler or middle grade to young adult readers, and adults who want to know what it’s like as a middle grade student. Though it may seem silly at times, this will take everyone and anyone back years to a time where life was just school. And when you perhaps felt like Invisible Emmie.
June 23, 2019
It’s not 100% a graphic novel, but enough to appeal to fans of the format. The story should resonate with fans of Smile, Real Friends, etc. but it doesn’t quite have the same emotional depth. It’s a day-in-the-life story, about a middle schooler’s shyness and anxiety, but nothing that would make it inappropriate for about 4th grade and up.
March 18, 2017
Quiet students rejoice, this one's for you! At first, the two stories at the same time seemed odd, but I liked how they came together at the end. This is a good choice for older students who haven't developed reading stamina for long novels, because there is a good mix of text and graphics.
May 12, 2017
I was really looking forward to this book, and I was so happy when my pre-order got delivered yesterday!
Thankfully, I have a mostly free day today, so I could read it.
It was really good, but it was also confusing. I had a suspicion about Katie, but after a while I wasn't sure if my suspicion was right. I was definitely interested in this girl, and I was hoping for her to become friends with Emmie.
For this thing mentioned in the spoiler, I am giving the book -0.5 stars.
Emmie was a great MC, I quite loved her, and girl, I know the feeling of writing a love note to your crush only to have it found out and then that everyone sees it, and people making fun of you for that note. Sadly, for me, that posting the note on a public place was done by my crush, and not like Emmie by some bully boy in her class. You can imagine how my crush ended. But I was quite surprised for how it ended up for Emmie.
Plus I also know the feeling of not knowing how to speak up, of being quiet, that you would rather hide in a place safe to you (for her it was drawing, but for me it was books and drawing). She really connected with me, and I loved that. She was just as awkward as I was back then. Changing clothes during gym? Urghhhh, I hated that, and I always took care to just be super-quick about it. Her favourite place is the library, and that was the same way for me! Strolling through the stacks looking for new books, enjoying the calm and quiet.
Unlike Emmie though my parents were always there for me. My mom was at home when I got home, my dad came home a bit later from work. So I felt sorry for Emmie, that her home situation wasn't always the best, and I just wanted to shake her parents. I can imagine you may want to work, or continue your life, but really, you shouldn't have had another baby then. Really, I just didn't like the parents. Emmie missed them quite a bit.
Emmie's best friend Bri? A bit too bossy for me. I hated how instead of being more supportive about the note, she instead just cared more about her own note, and she got quite pissed at Emmi for no reason. I also didn't really see how they matched. Well, in a way yes, at home when Emmi is more open, but at school? No. And again, bossiness is a no-no to me. This is your friend, not your dog. Thank you.
Katie's POV are done fully in comic style, while Emmie's is a mix of illustrations and text. I quite liked that contrast, plus the illustrations were really well done. I also liked that the POVs switched each chapter. You would have 1 Emmie chapter, and then the next is Katie, and so on.
All in all, a very cute, fun, realistic book to read. I really connected with Emmie. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Thankfully, I have a mostly free day today, so I could read it.
It was really good, but it was also confusing. I had a suspicion about Katie, but after a while I wasn't sure if my suspicion was right. I was definitely interested in this girl, and I was hoping for her to become friends with Emmie.
For this thing mentioned in the spoiler, I am giving the book -0.5 stars.
Emmie was a great MC, I quite loved her, and girl, I know the feeling of writing a love note to your crush only to have it found out and then that everyone sees it, and people making fun of you for that note. Sadly, for me, that posting the note on a public place was done by my crush, and not like Emmie by some bully boy in her class. You can imagine how my crush ended. But I was quite surprised for how it ended up for Emmie.
Plus I also know the feeling of not knowing how to speak up, of being quiet, that you would rather hide in a place safe to you (for her it was drawing, but for me it was books and drawing). She really connected with me, and I loved that. She was just as awkward as I was back then. Changing clothes during gym? Urghhhh, I hated that, and I always took care to just be super-quick about it. Her favourite place is the library, and that was the same way for me! Strolling through the stacks looking for new books, enjoying the calm and quiet.
Unlike Emmie though my parents were always there for me. My mom was at home when I got home, my dad came home a bit later from work. So I felt sorry for Emmie, that her home situation wasn't always the best, and I just wanted to shake her parents. I can imagine you may want to work, or continue your life, but really, you shouldn't have had another baby then. Really, I just didn't like the parents. Emmie missed them quite a bit.
Emmie's best friend Bri? A bit too bossy for me. I hated how instead of being more supportive about the note, she instead just cared more about her own note, and she got quite pissed at Emmi for no reason. I also didn't really see how they matched. Well, in a way yes, at home when Emmi is more open, but at school? No. And again, bossiness is a no-no to me. This is your friend, not your dog. Thank you.
Katie's POV are done fully in comic style, while Emmie's is a mix of illustrations and text. I quite liked that contrast, plus the illustrations were really well done. I also liked that the POVs switched each chapter. You would have 1 Emmie chapter, and then the next is Katie, and so on.
All in all, a very cute, fun, realistic book to read. I really connected with Emmie. I would highly recommend this book to everyone!
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
January 27, 2025
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 6, 2017
When my 11-year-old finished this, she said, "I don't know if I should think it's good to stand up for yourself, or if people will take your place socially if you do?" So I thought I'd read it.
Right away, the prologue made me uncomfortable with its generalizations about middle-grade literature. I get the point - there aren't as many books about the invisible kids - but I just didn't find it funny.
Otherwise, I thought it was fine, and it was interesting to read a middle-grade book about feeling anxious and shy right after reading about a similar teen girl in Eliza and Her Monsters.
When I finished, I talked with my daughter again, and realized she missed/didn't understand a very important twist near the end. I wonder how many other kids don't catch it.
Right away, the prologue made me uncomfortable with its generalizations about middle-grade literature. I get the point - there aren't as many books about the invisible kids - but I just didn't find it funny.
Otherwise, I thought it was fine, and it was interesting to read a middle-grade book about feeling anxious and shy right after reading about a similar teen girl in Eliza and Her Monsters.
When I finished, I talked with my daughter again, and realized she missed/didn't understand a very important twist near the end. I wonder how many other kids don't catch it.
May 15, 2019
Unfortunately I was only able to give this book 2 stars. It was not all I hoped. Did not read the other books (positively Izzy). At the beginning it was talking about how disabled kids or nerds get bullied and how she was plain NORMAL. Um I got kind of confused because who defines normal. No one that’s who. Also, in the end when it said the girl Katy was just an alter ego it was so terrible. I actually wanted them to become friends or something. But whatever I think this was not worth my money. It might not be worth your’s.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 1, 2017
I thought it was just blah. The character never really won my sympathies nor did I hate her. The title is perfect for this book because it's not really bad but it's not good either, it could easily be invisible. However it would probably still appeal to Big Nate/Diary of a Wimpy Kid/Dork Diaries fans or graphic novel readers to cross over to novels, as it is 50% text and 50% comics and little drawings.
July 11, 2017
I appreciate that Emmie was well fleshed out but Katie felt very flat. The reasoning for this becomes apparent (pun intended) at the end as well as provides some clarity to earlier scenes. I personally didn't enjoy it because it felt so weighted to one character. Overall it is relatable to many young kids and for that I do consider it an okay graphic novel.
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