Reading/Interest Level: Intermediate
Author: Terri Libenson
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson is a graphic novel about Emmie and Katie: two middle school girls on opposite ends of the popularity spectrum. One day Emmie and her friend Bri are writing love notes to their crushes for fun, but Emmie accidentally drops hers. When the class clown shares the note with everyone, including Katie who is dating Emmie's crush, her day quickly becomes a nightmare. Eventually, Emmie learns to stand up for herself while Katie discovers more about who she truly is.
The novel is interesting in that each section is divided between Emmie and Katie's perspectives. Emmie's story is told in narrative prose, whereas Katie's sections are full-page illustrations with captions. This novel is a great read for children who are like Emmie: quiet, shy, and submissive. It can teach children to stand tall and make friends. Katie's character can teach children that life doesn't always have to be perfect and that it's okay not to be popular all the time. A twist in the ending makes the novel all the more enjoyable.