While Bri may not be a traditional “quiet kid,” she is reserved and enjoys knowing what to expect. On the other hand, Bri loves school but struggles with others seeing her as more than just a “smart girl.” When she agrees to participate in the school talent show, she takes a step out of her comfort zone. She loves acting in skits, making up funny stories, and being in the spotlight, but she’s not great at school. Terri’s second book, Positively Izzy, follows a similar pattern with the stories of Izzy and Bri. But in the end, when their storylines come together, both have come to terms with who they are and have a better understanding of what it’s like to be in each other’s shoes. Emmie’s story is told in tandem with popular, outgoing, athletic Katie’s, as each girl finds themselves experiencing emotions and situations out of their norm.
For quiet kids, being called on in class or singled out can make them feel incredibly anxious, just like Emmie when she’s suddenly noticed by her peers. Suddenly, people are noticing her and she’s really uncomfortable with all of the attention, which a lot of kids can relate to. They’re funny, sweet, and compelling with illustrations that bring the story to life, but what they also do, that a lot of other books tend to overlook, is celebrate the quiet kid.įor example, in Terri’s first book, Invisible Emmie, an embarrassing note falls into the wrong hands and turns quiet, shy, artistic Emmie’s life upside down.
Her graphic novels explore the lives of two socially dynamic girls whose lives connect in an unexpected way. Terri Libenson is one author currently excelling in this space. Just like it’s important that we represent diversity in books, it’s equally important that kids who are on the quieter side also see themselves represented in literature. Some kids are more quiet, preferring to observe rather than participate, and it’s important that they know this is okay because not every person has the same interests or likes being the center of attention. “Libenson’s clever tale will entertain readers in the throes of middle school as well as younger students both wary of and intrigued by their near future.Not every kid is outgoing or athletic or popular, especially not in middle school when they’re going through so many changes and just starting to discover who they really are. A highly relatable middle grade drama.” - School Library Journal “Many readers will recognize themselves in Emmie and her friends, who are at once self-conscious and eager to be seen for who they are. “With all-too-familiar middle-school drama and an empowering lesson about speaking up and bravely facing down embarrassment, this should find an easy audience among fans of Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries books.” - Booklist A well-executed twist will have readers flipping back to see what they missed while cheering the strides made by Libenson’s no-longer-invisible heroine.” - Publishers Weekly “In her first children’s book, cartoonist Libenson offers strikingly different visions of seventh grade through two very dissimilar narrators. Reading Invisible Emmie sums up middle school: You laugh, you cry, you get beaned in the head with a volleyball.” - Stephan Pastis, author of Timmy Failure “Clever, funny work by a great cartoonist. “This funny and heartfelt tale will ring true for anyone who’s ever felt invisible.” - Victoria Jamieson, Newbery Honor author-illustrator of Roller Girl Invisible Emmie is unforgettable!” - Lincoln Peirce, author of Big Nate A fantastic debut novel with plenty of laughs and tons of heart. “This is middle grade fiction at its best. Terri has a husband, two daughters, and one poodle (all adorable).
Terri is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series and the cartoonist of the award-winning syndicated comic strip The Pajama Diaries (2006–2020). She also knows how wonderful it is when friendships do work out. But as a mom (and former middle school student in the dark ages), she knows these things happen. As a Type A perfectionist, Terri Libenson hates to admit that she has any ex-friends.