Terri Libenson is the cartoonist for the syndicated comic 'The Pajama Diaries'. While I wasn't quite as shy and quiet as she was in school, I too often felt ignored and invisible, and to be completely honest, I often still do even as an adult.įans of Raina Telgemeier and Victoria Jamieson will love this book as well, and I would also suggest it to fans of the middle grade Dear Dumb Diary, Dork Diaries and Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. This is a great story for all those kids who have a hard time finding their voice and often feel insignificant, and I readily identified with Emmie's character. I don't want to say too much in a review, but in the end it will even make more sense that Katie's perspective is shown in a more cartoon-y fashion.

I really enjoyed this book, and thought it was interesting how the author used a different format and color palette for each characters' perspective while telling the story. (Not being a graphic novel person, I preferred reading the 'Emmie' sections, no surprise.) The colors for Emmie's pages are soft and muted, while Katie's story is told with bright, vibrant colors, further reflecting the differences in their personalities. The passages about Emmie are more like an illustrated chapter book, written in regular prose paragraphs accompanied by doodles to illustrate, while the parts about Katie are told in traditional panels, comic book-style. Not only are the two characters' personalities different, the author presents them in two different illustration styles. Going to school makes her nervous and uncomfortable.

She’s not popular, not an outcast, just quiet, and she likes to draw. It combines the illustrated diary format with comics to contrast different approaches to middle school. These two seem to have nothing in common, until one day something happens that causes their lives to intersect, ultimately helping Emmie to find her voice and become visible. Terri Libenson’s Invisible Emmie does something fun with the concept, though. Katie, on the other hand, is pretty, popular, and outgoing. So no one really notices her, and she feels invisible. She does not talk to other people or speak up in class, and is perfectly ordinary in almost every way, other than having artistic talent. What prompted me to do it was an article I read on how several rural communities are beginning to band together to fight for land preservation laws. Emmie is very quiet, shy, and introverted. This is another painting I recently completed, which deals with the issue of urban sprawl. It is also about having the courage to express yourself. It mainly focuses on Emmie, who flies under the radar, but still desires to be heard. It stars Emmie and Katie, two seemingly opposite girls. Another great 'middle school angst' graphic novel from a debut author! This one is a little bit different from the others.įirst of all, the main character does not somehow stand out as being different from everyone else, nor is she teased, picked on or bullied. Invisible Emmie is the first book in the drama-filled world of Emmie & Friends.

Main idea invisible emmie