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3.74 AVERAGE
3.74 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
relaxing
medium-paced
Very entertaining youth graphic novel
(This is a combined review of three books in the series.)
I now have read all but one or two of this companion series. All of them follow the same format that I noted in the first book that I read of the series with one perspective told in typical comic style panels and the other told as primarily narrative with frequent illustrations. In my opinion, none of these three did it as well as the first one that I read, including the one that launched the series, invisible emmie. When the reveal came at the end of that one, the alternating perspectives made so much sense but the reading experience was quite jarring. Additionally another one of them (I cannot remember which) had two different perspective that did not ever really come together although they do interact briefly towards the end.
I now have read all but one or two of this companion series. All of them follow the same format that I noted in the first book that I read of the series with one perspective told in typical comic style panels and the other told as primarily narrative with frequent illustrations. In my opinion, none of these three did it as well as the first one that I read, including the one that launched the series, invisible emmie. When the reveal came at the end of that one, the alternating perspectives made so much sense but the reading experience was quite jarring. Additionally another one of them (I cannot remember which) had two different perspective that did not ever really come together although they do interact briefly towards the end.
I didn't have very many expectations going in, but even then, I found the stakes in the story to be low and the plot to be confusing. Emmie seemed like the exact opposite of Rafe from James Patterson's Middle School series, but I couldn't help but draw a parallel between the two of them for their imaginations. Both characters draw and frequently interact with a character who lands somewhere on a fuzzy line between real and imaginary. With Emmie, however, I think it would have been a lot more interesting if there'd been more of an interaction with the give-and-take between the two characters' attention. The stakes are incredibly low in this dichotomy and, in fact, throughout the entire story. The main conflict concerns--what else--a crush, along with a B-plot where Emmie's straight-A friend ends up acting like a Grade-A Moron, which has no consequences and is lamely "resolved" within 15 pages. I only gave it a second star because the pictures helped get me through it.
This was a quick read for my last book of 2017, and the introverted, awkward 7th grader in me could relate painfully to Emmie's struggles, and I think I would have really appreciated finding this just before middle school. I confess I didn't really understand the diminution of Katie's character - I understand that it was supposed to represent Emmie's character development, but it didn't really work for me. Nevertheless, I welcome the addition of more quiet, awkward introvert characters!
This plot was not very unique, but the Diary of a Wimpy Kid feel/format will probably appeal to a lot of young readers.
This is a simple and fast read, it was good, I felt relateable with the main character. I recommend it
A heartfelt story about a smart, arty girl who's funny and forthright on the inside.... but finds it hard to express her true self as an awkward 13-year old. It's an (at least semi-) autobiographical story by author Terri Libenson. It's very well done - not least because the novel/graphic novel hybrid format suits this story very well. (It's a graphic novel with many paragraphs of text, as opposed to something like Wimpy Kid, which is a heavily-illustrated novel)
On a tangent, I am very glad there is a growing range of "girl-friendly" graphic novels. Other favourite artists include Victoria Jamieson (Rollergirl) and Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters).
On a tangent, I am very glad there is a growing range of "girl-friendly" graphic novels. Other favourite artists include Victoria Jamieson (Rollergirl) and Raina Telgemeier (Smile, Sisters).
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying