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Emmie & Friends #6
Remarkably Ruby
Pride. Popularity. Poetry? Middle school.
Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry; while Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class president. They used to be friends, but they have nothing in common anymore--or do they?
Ruby and Mia are total opposites. Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry; while Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class president. They used to be friends, but they have nothing in common anymore--or do they?
384 pages, Paperback
First published May 3, 2022
317 people are currently reading
2791 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 247 reviews
May 4, 2022
Awwwww 😍
Let me say that again: Awwwwww!
When this landed on my desk today, I devoured it! Well... Each time I completed a To-Do List task, I devoured two chapters. And I loved it! It's got to be my favorite of the Emmie and Friends series so far.
If you're familiar with any of these books, you know the story always follows two very different characters in a they said/they said format (I use the "they" pronoun because sometimes the characters are different genders, not because any of them actually use they/them...yet?). There's drama. There's cringeworthy moments. But everything always gets wrapped up in a very satisfying way by the end. Which is why I enjoy these stories so much. And this was no exception.
This time we have Ruby and Mia, two middle schoolers who used to be best friends, but now are not. In fact, they can't stand each other. That is, Mia can't stand Ruby. As for Ruby...well, she just wants things to go back to how they used to be. As always, there's a twist ending...and this particular twist was the most surprising (to me) since the one that wrapped up Positively Izzy. It was also my favorite twist ending of the series so far, because it's just so sweet. I won't say what happens, though.
But I will confess that I've been waiting for Ruby's story for some time now (Previously I'd been calling her Myrtle after the Harry Potter bathroom ghost, because Myrtle sounded SO much better than Baked Beans Girl). And I'm so happy Ms. Libenson decided to flesh out her character and make her something more than just a running joke.
Overall, this was a fantastic book story and a fantastic edition to what is probably one of my favorite graphic novel series aimed at middle schoolers. It's a series I recommend often and I'm excited Ruby is now a part of it.
Let me say that again: Awwwwww!
When this landed on my desk today, I devoured it! Well... Each time I completed a To-Do List task, I devoured two chapters. And I loved it! It's got to be my favorite of the Emmie and Friends series so far.
If you're familiar with any of these books, you know the story always follows two very different characters in a they said/they said format (I use the "they" pronoun because sometimes the characters are different genders, not because any of them actually use they/them...yet?). There's drama. There's cringeworthy moments. But everything always gets wrapped up in a very satisfying way by the end. Which is why I enjoy these stories so much. And this was no exception.
This time we have Ruby and Mia, two middle schoolers who used to be best friends, but now are not. In fact, they can't stand each other. That is, Mia can't stand Ruby. As for Ruby...well, she just wants things to go back to how they used to be. As always, there's a twist ending...and this particular twist was the most surprising (to me) since the one that wrapped up Positively Izzy. It was also my favorite twist ending of the series so far, because it's just so sweet. I won't say what happens, though.
But I will confess that I've been waiting for Ruby's story for some time now (Previously I'd been calling her Myrtle after the Harry Potter bathroom ghost, because Myrtle sounded SO much better than Baked Beans Girl). And I'm so happy Ms. Libenson decided to flesh out her character and make her something more than just a running joke.
Overall, this was a fantastic book story and a fantastic edition to what is probably one of my favorite graphic novel series aimed at middle schoolers. It's a series I recommend often and I'm excited Ruby is now a part of it.
November 14, 2024
After thought:
Bought the rest of the books of this incredible book series. I'm so glad to have binge read this remarkable book… ;)
(P.S. the plot twist I knew from the very very start)
Review:
Coming back from almost a month later, I have to stay that this book really stayed in my mind. As I said before, the plot twist I did guess. It's kind of crazy to think about yet it makes so much sense and we can really see how the dynamics work out. I'm glad to learn more about Ruby, and she, along with this book, was remarkable. I loved how poetry was a part of this book as a poetry lover and a aspiring poet myself. This series is so silly and yet powerful at times. I'm glad to have read this book!
Bought the rest of the books of this incredible book series. I'm so glad to have binge read this remarkable book… ;)
(P.S. the plot twist I knew from the very very start)
Review:
Coming back from almost a month later, I have to stay that this book really stayed in my mind. As I said before, the plot twist I did guess. It's kind of crazy to think about yet it makes so much sense and we can really see how the dynamics work out. I'm glad to learn more about Ruby, and she, along with this book, was remarkable. I loved how poetry was a part of this book as a poetry lover and a aspiring poet myself. This series is so silly and yet powerful at times. I'm glad to have read this book!
August 3, 2022
This was such a cute, heartwarming story, with many important issues/themes/messages at its core. I enjoyed this so much. Flew through it actually. We alternate POV from one girl to another. They both used to be best friends, but then they grew apart when one became more popular & started being embarrassed by the other, who is a little awkward & has a nervous stomach. Ruby is the “awkward one”, & I enjoyed her POV the most, & I think she will be relatable to so many kids. I loved seeing her blossom throughout the story. When she found poetry club, & everything it did for her it was just so great. Brought new friendships, & new confidence, & less nervousness & anxiety. Her teacher was so incredible as well, & I can definitely see why she inspired Ruby so much. Teachers can be true angels on earth for kids. The other girl Mia also has some issues that can be relatable. I loved seeing her realize she didn’t have to do everything herself, didn’t always have to be in control, & always care what others thought when making choices-like who to be friends with. The art(also by the author)is beautiful as well, & I was just really impressed with this graphic novel, & now I want to get all the others in the series. The author said they can be read as stand alones also. Highly recommend. A book hug worthy read for sure.💜
January 23, 2023
a charming graphic novel that brings to life the struggles of existing in middle school (in general) - more specifically, it explores the intricacies of friendship - having friendship troubles, mourning over lost friendship, and feeling alone.
ruby is on the awkward side, missing social cues and embarrassing herself on an almost daily basis. (her IBS, or “nervous stomach,” certainly doesn’t help.) she’s self-proclaimed as not really having any hobbies, but she does like to write, particularly poems. after having a falling-out with her best friend mia, she’s been alone - but things might change after her favorite english teacher encourages her to join her new poetry club.
mia, on the other hand, has two great friends and a wonderful boyfriend. she loves organization and keeping everything organized and under control. the current goal that she has her mind set to? becoming class president - and she knows that she’s exactly the right person for the job. but her commitment might end up throwing a few ruts in her friendships…
i enjoyed this book and found the main characters relatable. i also loved how it switched points of views, and each character had their own art style! mainly, it made me really thankful that i’m no longer in middle school.
ruby is on the awkward side, missing social cues and embarrassing herself on an almost daily basis. (her IBS, or “nervous stomach,” certainly doesn’t help.) she’s self-proclaimed as not really having any hobbies, but she does like to write, particularly poems. after having a falling-out with her best friend mia, she’s been alone - but things might change after her favorite english teacher encourages her to join her new poetry club.
mia, on the other hand, has two great friends and a wonderful boyfriend. she loves organization and keeping everything organized and under control. the current goal that she has her mind set to? becoming class president - and she knows that she’s exactly the right person for the job. but her commitment might end up throwing a few ruts in her friendships…
i enjoyed this book and found the main characters relatable. i also loved how it switched points of views, and each character had their own art style! mainly, it made me really thankful that i’m no longer in middle school.
May 29, 2023
4.5
one of my favs in the series 🫶
one of my favs in the series 🫶
December 4, 2022
We get the story of Baked Beans Girl! *fanfare*
I absolutely loved Ruby's side of things. And Mia is so quintessentially a middle school girl, in her friendship dramas.
Dropped a star because of the twist. It's not as WTF as the twist at the end of Positively Izzy, and if you look back, it sort of matches up to what we saw, but it's a massive plot twist that I'm not entirely sure works. It would require both Ruby and Mia to be completely engrossed in themselves, and while Mia is quite in her own headspace, Ruby is not.
Still, this might be one of my favorite installments in the series, because Ruby becomes so much more than Baked Beans Girl.
I absolutely loved Ruby's side of things. And Mia is so quintessentially a middle school girl, in her friendship dramas.
Dropped a star because of the twist. It's not as WTF as the twist at the end of Positively Izzy, and if you look back, it sort of matches up to what we saw, but it's a massive plot twist that I'm not entirely sure works. It would require both Ruby and Mia to be completely engrossed in themselves, and while Mia is quite in her own headspace, Ruby is not.
Still, this might be one of my favorite installments in the series, because Ruby becomes so much more than Baked Beans Girl.
August 14, 2022
I love the neon pink cover! It was impossible to turn away from at the library. Only after halfway through the book then did I realise that I'd actually read another installment in the series before (Just Jaime) and rated it 5 stars.
The characters are flawed but well-developed and I enjoyed their arcs. This graphic novel perfectly captured what it's like to be a middle-grader dealing with the stressors of friendship and fitting in as well as loneliness and social anxiety.
A heartwarming and wonderful one-sitting read! Can't wait to check out the rest in the series and more from Terri Libenson. Also, Juan absolutely deserves his own book!
The characters are flawed but well-developed and I enjoyed their arcs. This graphic novel perfectly captured what it's like to be a middle-grader dealing with the stressors of friendship and fitting in as well as loneliness and social anxiety.
A heartwarming and wonderful one-sitting read! Can't wait to check out the rest in the series and more from Terri Libenson. Also, Juan absolutely deserves his own book!
December 23, 2023
I think I say this every time, but Terri Libenson gets it. I also love that this entry into the series follows what started out as a humorous side character, the girl who was always running for the bathrooms after eating something. It turns out that that girl, Ruby, has IBS and anxiety, and giving her a voice and a story is so important for those of us who felt like outsiders or jokes in seventh grade but were dealing with very real problems.
This also features an excellent plot twist, much like Positively Izzy did. Even if you don't normally read middle grade, this series is top-notch.
This also features an excellent plot twist, much like Positively Izzy did. Even if you don't normally read middle grade, this series is top-notch.
April 12, 2024
୨୧Cute sisters plot twist୨୧
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 24, 2022
These books never fail to make me smile :)
August 13, 2022
I love this whole series and this book was especially touching
August 21, 2022
I think this one might be my favorite.
April 9, 2023
Terri Libenson has done it again! I love the way she winds each character's stories through the book with the alternating narrators, perspectives, and even graphic novel presentation style.
Great middle grades storyline about friendship, fitting in, and being true to yourself- even if it takes a while to find what that means.
I like this series where we get to learn more about "background characters" around the school, while still seeing our lead characters from the other books (now in background roles!). It's a very clever way to be able to expand the series in ways that are fresh and new each time.
Loved the "outtakes" at the end! But if you haven't finished the book- don't peek, there's spoilers back there!
Great middle grades storyline about friendship, fitting in, and being true to yourself- even if it takes a while to find what that means.
I like this series where we get to learn more about "background characters" around the school, while still seeing our lead characters from the other books (now in background roles!). It's a very clever way to be able to expand the series in ways that are fresh and new each time.
Loved the "outtakes" at the end! But if you haven't finished the book- don't peek, there's spoilers back there!
September 8, 2022
I think this might be my favorite one of the series. I love Ruby's character and all the moments in this one.
March 4, 2023
Charming and sweet.
May 19, 2024
Such a sweet book! I love Terri Libenson’s approach in this series. The twist at the end is lovely too. ❤️
June 17, 2022
omg this was such a cute middle-grade book! I loved how there was a mention of a non-straight character, and how the others treated that person as they would treat everyone else and they were accepting of that person as well :)) we need more of that in middle-grade books!
February 23, 2024
I really am enjoying this series! This one is about "baked bean girl". She's got digestive issues that are mentioned in all the other books, but we find out in this book that its anxiety causing her stomach upsets. She's bigger than most and insecure about so many things- my heart broke for her, even though thats not really the focus of this book. She's just trying to find where she fits in. Her and her best friend Mia (who we also get a perspective from) are no longer friends. She doesn't have any interest in any after school clubs (until poetry club starts in this book) and overall she just feels like she doesn't fit in anywhere. Mia is running for class president and she's forsaken all else in pursuit of a win. She has a boyfriend and 2 best friends and she kind of ditches them both because she wants to win to make herself feel better. She's insecure because her best friends have interests that she doesn't share, her boyfriend has a separate life also etc. But then she gets called out for being mean to Ruby and being rude and I loved that! She and Ruby reunite, she gives up the presidency to be a representative, and overall she finds more balance. Loved it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 9, 2023
I enjoyed this book and it was nice how the two main characters resolved and fixed their friendship. I feel like the main characters had a lot of character depth, but I wish there was a littleeee more character description for the side characters (like the main characters friends). I saw this book in the library and I had to read the other books in this series when I was younger, but I hadn’t read this book yet. I don’t really have much to say abt this book tbh. I didn’t love it, didn’t hate it. A solid 3 stars.
August 6, 2022
I really enjoyed this book because of how many kids can relate to Ruby and Mia. Many kids are best friends in elementary school but going to middle school changes everything. Ruby is a clumsy and quiet girl who suffers from IBS and Mia is a popular girl that is running for President. They were both best friends and somehow drifted apart.
June 25, 2023
I was surprised that Ruby and Mia where family all along. And I am glad that it all worked out great. I liked how it had Ruby's and Mia's side of the story. I am hoping to read the next books in the series.
May 29, 2022
meh. i felt like it was aimed at younger readers.
December 5, 2022
So cute! I really enjoyed this one.
June 6, 2024
★★★★★
This book i feel like is the best Terri Libenson book i have read !
This book i feel like is the best Terri Libenson book i have read !
May 15, 2022
Ruby and Mia have had a falling out. Ruby is awkward and introverted, Mia is outgoing and a perfectionist. Mia is running for class president and cannot focus on anything else. Ruby joins the new poetry club and is starting to make new friends. It turns out they both are anxious. Their parents want them to get along.
Love this series, and really love getting to know the minor characters.
Love this series, and really love getting to know the minor characters.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 2, 2022
Verdict: As always, a remarkably accurate picture of middle school life.
I love this graphic novel/prose series and kids love it too. There are two parts, one told from the point of view of one character in prose with pictures and one told from another character in graphic novel format. I’ve read all 6 in the series and they are all fantastic.
I love this graphic novel/prose series and kids love it too. There are two parts, one told from the point of view of one character in prose with pictures and one told from another character in graphic novel format. I’ve read all 6 in the series and they are all fantastic.
January 15, 2023
10/10 THE BEST BOOK EVER!
January 5, 2025
Great book with secret sisters, ruby and Mia—spoiler!😜😆👍 - Romy (age 8)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 12, 2024
It’s so good I want to read all of the books in the series
September 4, 2022
I am so glad that Terri Libenson has continued to add to the Invisible Emmie series. Each book has given us a new perspective of Lakefront Middle School. I really enjoy the dual format that Libenson uses to distinguish between the two characters -- in this book Ruby has the narrative/small graphics style while Mia's sections have a classic graphic novel structure. You will be rooting for Ruby and her chance to be more than "Baked Bean Girl." You will also empathize with Mia as she finds it difficult to juggle family, friends, boyfriend, and homework on top of school politics. The parents in this episode are supportive and quirky. Their daughters don't always understand them, but they still look to them for assistance and guidance. If you are looking for some good ideas for poetry projects, there are some really nifty ones in this book. Between them, Ruby and Mia showcase some thorny issues like IBS, friend drama, learning social skills, work/life balance, trying new things, and forgiveness. Good stuff! Looking forward to meeting some new kids in the next book. Who will be featured next?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews