Welcome to Litsy!

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

It was also great to have some new voices join in! Thank you to @LibrarianRyan @amie @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Daisey @TheBookHippie & @JaclynW for a lively discussion!!

LibrarianRyan Thanks for letting me comment. 6y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan Your insights are always welcomed 🙂 6y

25 likes2 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 10 #mgbuddyread

Peddler410 I genuinely loved the way Emmie‘s story was told. I‘m looking forward to reading the next by this author — which I already own, like this one, from a year ago 😳

Positively Izzy

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 So many books, so little time! 6y

TheBookHippie I loved it and also want to read the next one!!!! 6y

JaclynW I loved the story this book told and the format it was told in. I will definitely read more from this author. 6y

mrp27 I enjoyed it! I look forward to reading more by this author. 6y

4 likes5 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 9 #mgbuddyread

Peddler410 Assuming you mean Katie‘s: I believe it shows everyone has something going on. Katie was portrayed as having it all together, being popular, lots of friends...but what she craved was alone time. 6y

Peddler410 Or did you mean the illustrations in the final Emmie chapter? In that case, I loved how Terri Libenson shows Emmie letting go of Katie ... indicating she has learned to accept herself for who she is. 6y

Chelsibno @Peddler410 Summed this up pretty well on both possible sides of the question. I definitely agree. 6y

See All 9 Comments

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 @Chelsibno Actually if you notice the last couple of pages Emmie's pictures are much more colorful and brighter, not as subdued as in the rest of the book. I like how the author did this as a reflection of Emmie feeling brighter and more seen. 6y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie yes I agree!!! More vibrant ! But true to self acceptance. 6y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie I Agreee! I loved that! The visual bits in the book really play to the story taking place. It is subtle but definitely noticeable and important to the story. A layer. 6y

mrp27 I loved seeing Emmies's pages brighten up, it signified to me that things were looking up for her. 6y

Lmstraubie @mrp27 It was such a subtle change, but I love that the author did it. 6y

mrp27 @Lmstraubie Me too. 6y

4 likes9 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 8 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan I think it depends on the patent. 6y

Peddler410 I don‘t think there‘s a one-size-it‘s-all answer to this question. My nieces are 9 yrs apart — I‘ve talked with my sil about raising little Anna and she commented more about the differences in tech more so than her parenting — I mean, there are formula Keurigs now! A friend mentioned he age/experience at the time her girls were born playing a role (19 first time mom; girls 6 yrs apart). (edited) 6y

Peddler410 Temperament of the children I think also plays a big role in parenting. What works for one may have no effect on another. 6y

See All 13 Comments

Chelsibno I think a lot of factors come into play with parenting styles. Birth order can have an effect on it, but so can the ages of the parents, the state of the times, the temperament of the different children, etc. There is a 15 year age gap between me and my oldest sibling. My parents were 19 when she was born and 34 when I was born. So they were in completely different stages of their own lives with each of us. 6y

Lmstraubie @Chelsibno @Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan This question stemmed from the way Emmie's parents were always on the fly, but really intense when they were in her presence. The age difference between her and her siblings also factored in as well. 6y

TheBookHippie Yes. For sure I raised my first kid in my 20-30s now 40-50s way more relaxed -less stress -more go with the flow 🤣🤷🏽‍♀️ 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @peddler410 @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie @Chelsibno YES!! Although, like many of you stated above, many other factors are influencers as well. The way Emmie's parent's are definitely stood out to me. I could identify. I know I'm a completely different parent to my youngest compared to my oldest -there is an 8 year gap. I'm definitely more relaxed and confident. With your oldest, everything is a "first" so there is that learning curve. 6y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie You are just wiser 😉 6y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie tired and you realise it just doesn‘t matter 🤣🤣 6y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie My kids are 4 1/2 years apart. It's amazing how much I learned between them. 🤣 6y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie almost 18 is a whole other ballgame 6y

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie Definitely! 6y

mrp27 In my house growing up it definitely did. 6y

6 likes13 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 7 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan It was typical. I remember being that way and my life going one way and my friends going the other. 6y

Amie I thought it was sweet but surprising that they had stayed friends in spite of their different interests. 6y

Peddler410 Any other manifestation of their friendship would not have worked for me. Theirs is a typical friendship — exploring interests different from each other as they move into middle school. Many young friendships don‘t survive to high school but it does happen. I like that this story shows readers that it‘s possible. 6y

See All 9 Comments

Chelsibno It reminded me of a lot of my friendships back then. Meeting in early elementary school and becoming friends out of convenient circumstances is pretty common. As is developing different interests and skills in middle school and not being as close but staying friends. I found it a bit surprising that they managed to make amends so easily, but then again it‘s a pretty short book, so suspension of disbelief ought to come into play. 6y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @amie @peddler410 @Chelsibno I was bothered by the way Brianna treated Emmie. I guess it's natural to have a more dominant friend & a passive one, but it still bugged me a little. Sidenote: My closest friends are those from childhood - some from kindergarten, some from 4th grade(when we switched to a new school) & some from jr. high. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @amie @peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie I thought the friendship seemed genuine and real. It is something I could identify with and have seen in my children's friendships. Middle school/jr high is a common time where friendships change or are abandoned. Many of my current friends are ones I met in 7th grade. I have a couple that I've known since elementary school. Changing relationships is part of life when your interests change. 6y

mrp27 I agree the friendship was typical but it irks me. Primarily because I see so much of myself in Emmie that when I look back at my friendships I had my own Brianna. Wish I was less passive in my youth. 6y

Lmstraubie @mrp27 If we could go back in time knowing what we know today 😏 6y

mrp27 @Lmstraubie Right?! The saying, "Youth is wasted on the young" is so true. 6y

6 likes9 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 6 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan Not sure. I don‘t think I saw the clues. But I still enjoyed it. 6y

Chelsibno The following is a copied-and-pasted part of my response to the last question: “I think the different formats of their chapters helped to tip me off. Like some comic book characters, Katie just seemed too perfect to possibly be real.” 6y

Daisey I didn‘t take the time to try and figure out any twist, but I definitely thought it was weird that these two girls were always in the same place! 6y

See All 6 Comments

Peddler410 The fact that these two girls had ALL the same classes started to bug me. Then I started thinking of the use of the graphic novel format for Katie‘s character coupled with Emmie‘s artistic talents... (edited) 6y

JaclynW @Daisey @Peddler410 Oh! Those were both good clues! I can see it in hindsight. 6y

mrp27 Katie was too perfect and I couldn't pinpoint it at the time but @Peddler410 nailed it. I knew there was something in Emmie's art that would be a part of the twist. 6y

7 likes6 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 5 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan I knew there was a twist, but I didn‘t have it exactly figured out. Thout they would become friends, or might be secretly sisters. I liked what actually going on, and think it fits the character and the story well. 6y

Peddler410 I figured it out, don‘t remember when exactly. I loved that twist 😊 And, yes it fits so perfectly. 6y

Chelsibno I figured out the twist pretty early on. I think the different formats between their chapters helped to tip me off. Like some comic book characters, Katie just seemed too perfect to possibly be real. 6y

See All 6 Comments

Lmstraubie @Peddler410 @Chelsibno I was in the same ballpark as @LibrarianRyan I knew something was up, but not quite sure what it was. It was a nice surprise. 6y

JaclynW I was surprised by the twist. I loved it! 6y

mrp27 I figured there would be a twist coming because Katie was too perfect. 6y

6 likes6 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Question 4 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan I love graphic novels. Especially for this age. They give the mind something to focus on when they wander from the words. But I‘m not sure I would call this book a graphic novel. A fully illustrated novel, yes, a graphic novel no. Only parts of the book are layer out in visual panels, not the entire thing. 6y

Peddler410 Thank you, @LibrarianRyan for those words! This is not a book I would describe as graphic novel. It‘s a pet peeve of mine when illustrated novels are grouped with graphic novels. 6y

Amie I like graphic novels, and I love how much kids love them. I have a hard time focusing on the right panel when I read them in print because my eyes like to randomly wander all over the page, so I prefer to read them in ebook format because I have the option to view one panel at a time. I actually listened to the audiobook of this one which was definitely lacking without the pictures. 6y

See All 16 Comments

Peddler410 As to my feelings about the genre — I really enjoy the format. It‘s wonderful for many groups of readers: ELL, reluctant, struggling, anyone. 6y

LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 I like this form of book for parents who are peeved their kids only read GN, but also for kids who have yet to find a chapter book they can sink into. This is a nice melding of two worlds. So much so I bought the next book. 6y

Chelsibno I absolutely ADORE graphic novels! I think this stems from a childhood of reading comic books with my older brothers. However, I‘m rather peeved by the description of graphic novels as a “genre”. They aren‘t a genre, they are a format. Just like how film is a format, not a genre. Many different genres exist within the graphic novel format, just like with films. 6y

Chelsibno As others have mentioned, I wouldn‘t exactly call this book a graphic novel. I thick @LibrarianRyan described what keeps it from being a graphic novel best. It felt more like the love-child of an illustrated novel and a graphic novel. 6y

CouronneDhiver Ignorant. I‘ve never tried one 6y

Peddler410 @LibrarianRyan I completely agree! As a school librarian it‘s not only parents, but teachers too that I aim to assist. @Chelsibno I‘m with you on the genre but. In the school libraries I work in, we do keep the graphic novels separate but I‘ve though about moving them to the genre sections. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @amie @CouronneDhiver Thanks for the clarifications. I wondered if this was a true graphic novel. I'm new to that format and still trying to decide if I like it. I've done better when it is a graphic novel meant for younger readers. The graphic novel I read for adults was more difficult. I get distracted and can't follow or truly get into the story. I'm thinking I just need more practice. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @amie @CouronneDhiver I know several parents who won't let their children read the graphic novel formatted books. They don't consider them to be "real reading." This saddens me because I think if someone is enjoying what they read, you shouldn't hinder that. Have you run across this? What do you say to parents who believe that? I think graphic novels could also be a springboard into other formats. 6y

LibrarianRyan @JaclynW When I talk to parents that are like that, I try to appease them and still find a happy medium with the kids. Something like Brian Selznick who does fully illustrated books, or chapter books based on their favorite comics. Or a book like Emmie that mixes both. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan Great ideas! 6y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW I think the most frustrating thing for me are parents & teachers who dismiss them without ever having read one!! 6y

mrp27 @Chelsibno Good point! I love that graphic novels are really evolving into some awesome books. I'm reading more and more of them on all levels, kids, YA etc. I do feel like they get a negative reaction as not being real reading or mislabeled as comics or super hero ish. They are so much more! 6y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Yes, that is often the case too. 6y

19 likes16 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 3 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan The two sides of a personality. The side of who you think you are, and who you want to be. 6y

Peddler410 I agree with @LibrarianRyan I really liked the use of the graphic novel format for Katie. 6y

LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 yes. I thought it was cleaver to use two different types of story form for each character. 6y

See All 9 Comments

Chelsibno I have to agree with @LibrarianRyan as well. The Emmie parts are laid out more like a Dork Diaries or Diary of a Wimpy Kid format. Both the protagonists in these series are pretty flawed, which is how Emmie sees herself. Meanwhile, Katie‘s parts are laid out in a more comic-like format, revealing how unrealistic Katie (& Emmie‘s idea of the perfect girl) truly is. 6y

Daisey I agree with @LibrarianRyan and @Chelsibno as well. I thought the bold brightness of the panels was perfect for Katie and the chapters with more text were better for the more introverted and deeper thoughts of Emmie. 6y

Lmstraubie Well said @LibrarianRyan! @daisey @Chelsibno @peddlee410 I liked the two formats as well. I wonder if the author considered switching the formats for each girl at the end. I know she didn't, but wonder if it was a consideration. 6y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie Interesting thought. I wonder now too. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie @Daisey I loved the two formats and what they represented. The more muted colors and wordy sections emphasized Emmie's invisibility. I actually noticed how it messed with my head and really made me *feel* like Emmie. Vice versa for the Katie parts that were more colorful. You felt light, bright, fun, confident while reading those parts. It was a clever move on the author's part. 6y

mrp27 I agree with @LibraianRyan I liked the use of different formats for both Emmie and Katie. 6y

6 likes9 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 2 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan Her fear. She has a fear of others noticing her perceived faults, so she “hides” herself in plain sight until she learns that her faults are not really faults. Just more quirks she should love. 6y

Amie I think it's the nature of being an introvert. The world has a tendency to not see us quieter folks (and we don't like being there center of attention), and especially in an environment like school it's easy for someone who's quiet to get lost in the background. 6y

Peddler410 Emmie is insecure. She does what she can to avoid being noticed because of what she feels are flaws. 6y

See All 9 Comments

Chelsibno I think insecurity with her perceived faults plays heavily into this. She believes she has more faults than positive qualities, so tries to stay out of the spotlight. 6y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @amie @Peddler410 @Chelsibno It's interesting how a middle school environment can bring on or intensify those feelings. 6y

TheBookHippie Severe insecurity!!!! And I think she is just quiet. 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie @amie Fears and insecurities most definitely!! She isn't accepting of who she is at her core. She doesn't want to stand out as being different. Middle school (junior high) does bring this to the forefront with great intensity. I get a slight dose of PTSD just thinking back...😬😣😖😟😢 6y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW I wasn't sure what the connection was between her siblings leaving & her becoming an introvert. I guess she felt more supported when they were home. 6y

mrp27 Her insecurity and fear to just accept herself as she is. The one thing I can appreciate about age is the ability to finally own who you are without apology. 6y

6 likes9 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

Question 1 #mgbuddyread

LibrarianRyan She feels invisible because she is not popular. She is not “noticed” in her class. She is the fly on the wall observing everything, rather than the butterfly getting all the attention. 6y

Peddler410 I think Emmie feels invisible because she doesn‘t feel special in any way. 6y

Chelsibno I think she feels invisible because she doesn‘t feel like she‘s noticed at school. She doesn‘t have a lot of the things or qualities that she believes makes girls popular or noticed. We see this particularly with Katie, her idea of the perfect popular girl. Emmie thinks that to be noticed, a girl needs to be super gorgeous, outgoing, intelligent, athletic, and, most annoyingly, PERFECT. She doesn‘t believe she is any of these things. 6y

See All 20 Comments

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno I agree with what you all said. I just found it interesting that she was so much more outgoing when her older siblings we're home and then that changed when they left. 6y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie very interesting. Because normally the baby in the family is stereotyped as the “performer”. It could also be the huge age gap between siblings. My friend and my guy are youngest but with a decade or more between youngest and next. Both are introverts. It almost becomes single child syndrome. 6y

Lmstraubie @LibrarianRyan I remember reading somewhere (but please don't ask where lol) that an age difference of 8 years or more makes it seem as though the child is an only even though there are siblings. 6y

LibrarianRyan @Lmstraubie I can believe that. There is 12 and 13 years between Josh and his brothers. 6y

TheBookHippie @Lmstraubie yes I am eight years older than my brother we feel like onlys my kids 17.5 years apart are considered it as well. 6y

TheBookHippie This is so how I felt and lots of the girls I read this book with. “Nothing stands out...” 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie I agree with your statements. Kids at this age, often/especially girls, struggle with insecurities and wondering where they fit in this big world. It's tough! Do you remember it? Just about every person I know really struggled through the ages of 12-15 - "popular" kids included. ⬇️ 6y

JaclynW @LibrarianRyan @Peddler410 @Chelsibno @Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie We all want to belong somewhere and feel important/valued. Sometimes our vision is clouded and we become someone we aren't. Peer pressure and societal "norms" don't help. We often aren't given several "paths" to go down. So if we don't fit the norm, we feel invisible and start to live accordingly. 6y

TheBookHippie @JaclynW I was bullied relentlessly 10-15. So yah blech. 6y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie Oh man, sorry! Bullying sucks. My husband and I have been discussing bullying over the years as our kids are growing and we've tried to think of how best to deal with it. What are your thoughts? What advice would you give a student who is being bullied? 6y

TheBookHippie @JaclynW find your tribe you only need one person and confide in one mentor. Teaching that it‘s the bully‘s issue is helpful. Reporting every single thing is actually a crap shoot. There are laws some places but hardly upheld. My parents should have let me change schools. They apologized when I was 30 🙄 (edited) 6y

JaclynW @TheBookHippie Great advice. Bullies get away with a lot even with rules/laws in place. Wow, 30 is a bit past due. So sorry! I do think empowering students can be helpful. Teaching them to stand up for themselves and others too. Like you said, teaching students to know and understand that it's the bully's issue and to let it roll off you instead of internalizing it is helpful. (All easier said than done of course.) 6y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW @TheBookHippie I try to instill in my students & my own children that the way someone treats you is a reflection of them. The way you respond is a reflection of you. And, so true, easier said than done. 6y

TheBookHippie @JaclynW 30 was decades ago 🤣🤣🤣🤣and yes way overdue 6y

mrp27 Sorry for joining so late, was on vacation last week. I think Emmie feels invisible for a multitude of reasons but they all lead to the same place, wanting and finding her place in the world, her world being school, family and friends. 6y

Lmstraubie @mrp27 Better late than never 😉 Hope you had a nice trip! 6y

JaclynW @Lmstraubie What great advice! 6y

6 likes20 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Welcome to the#mgbuddyread 🙂

@JaclynW @Bklover @sblbooks @Daisey @mrp27 @TheBookHippie @Chelsibno @Peddler410 @Dmarie76

17 likes

Chelsibno

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

pick

This was a nice read during one of my busiest times of the school year. I‘d been wanting to read this book ever since I saw its book fair commercial last year. I‘m not sure the label graphic novel really fits it. It feels more along the same vein as Diary of a Wimpy Kid or Dork Diaries. It‘s still an enjoyable and quick read. I can‘t wait to talk about it more during the #mgbuddyread

26 likes

Peddler410

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

pick

So spot on for middle school. The twist at the end was fun, but not unexpected.

Not sure I agree with calling this a graphic novel though. I think GN are great, however this would be a great book to help transition those graphic-novel-only readers into reading something new.

#mgbuddyread

11 likes

Peddler410

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Starting this for #mgbuddyread
Hoping to finish it quickly so I can get back to my pile of novels in verse.

17 likes2 stack adds

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Happy Friday Littens! Just a reminder - our #mgbuddyread for April is the tagged book. Our discussion will be on Sunday, April 28th. Questions will be posted around 4:00pm EST. Join in when you can! Questions? Just comment below 🙂📚🔖

Dmarie76 Hello! I would love to join your book club and wondered if you add me to your updates and conversations? Thanks a ton! 6y

Lmstraubie @Dmarie76 Yes! Definitely 🙂 Just in case you can always search #mgbuddyread but I will add you to the list! Welcome! 6y

32 likes2 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers

LibrarianRyan #LittenLoveBingo #Greatfirstline
#NancyDrewChallenge #lotofblueonthecover
#KillYourTBR #nameintitle
#mgbuddyread 6y

pick

4.4⭐️ This books was simply fabulous. It was lighthearted, big hearted, and full of real feelings and emotions. The mix of comics, illustrations, and paragraphs was a perfect mix to tell this story. Emmie fells invisible. She has no feelings about it, until she is thrust into the spotlight over a small mistake. But this mistake will cause big changes in both Emmie and her school mates. A delightful read, and I can't wait to read the sequel.

7 likes1 comment

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

1. Done
2. End, it‘s fun and fast paced.
3. It seems as if Emmie is comparing herself or in love with Kate. I would flesh this out a bit more.
4. @Trashcanman @Bklover @Avanders

#whatwouldyoudo

Derf

Avanders Fun! Thanks for the tag ☺️♥️ 6y

Bklover Yay! Thanks for the tag! 6y

36 likes2 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

I think I‘m going to love this book.

BookNAround We call them bonus babies here rather than an oops. 😉 6y

LibrarianRyan @BookNAround I like that. 6y

63 likes2 comments

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

#greatopener

55 likes1 stack add

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

After Resistance I needed something easier and something happier. So I‘m picking up this mi the #mgbuddyread. Plus, it was one of the Letters about Literature titles written about by kids.

55 likes2 stack adds

LitsyHappenings

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Repost for @Lmstraubie :
The results are in and here are our next 4 #mgbuddyread. Thank you to everyone for the feedback. 🙂 More details to follow! New readers are always welcome to join us! @LitsyHappenings

35 likes

Lmstraubie @TheBookHippie @sblbooks @Peddler410 @JaclynW @Readingismyescape @mrp27 @amie @Daisey @Chelsibno @megnews @cwarnier @Chrissyreadit @Smangela @monkeygirlsmama 6y

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

The results are in and here are our next 4 #mgbuddyread. Thank you to everyone for the feedback. 🙂 More details to follow! New readers are always welcome to join us! @LitsyHappenings

Bklover Oh, I loved Invisible Emmie! 6y

Lmstraubie @Bklover I'm looking forward to reading it. Consider joining us for our discussion in April 🙂 6y

See All 9 Comments

Bklover Will do! 6y

TheBookHippie Yay!!!! 6y

JaclynW Oh fun! I'm looking forward to these! 6y

Lmstraubie @JaclynW Me too!! 6y

Readingismyescape Looks like a great lineup!! 6y

Lmstraubie @Readingismyescape We have good taste 😉 6y

39 likes1 stack add9 comments

koka77

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

pick

Awesome book about love and embarrassment would totally recommend reading

Eggs

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

Amusing and sweet!

65 likes1 stack add

Talia_4lyfe

Invisible Emmie | Terri Libenson

This post contains spoilers