Emmie & Friends: Just Jaime: A Graphic Novel

Emmie & Friends: Just Jaime: A Graphic Novel

Another spot-on story of middle school drama and friendship from Terri Libenson, national bestselling author of graphic novel favorites  Invisible Emmie and Positively Izzy . Friends. Frenemies. Middle school... The last day of seventh grade has Jaime and Maya wondering who their real friends are. Jaime knows something is off with her friend group. They’ve started to exclude her and make fun of the way she dresses and the things she likes. At least she can count on her BFF, Maya, to have her back . . . right? Maya feels more and more annoyed with Jaime, who seems babyish compared to the other girls in their popular group. It’s like she has nothing in common with Jai anymore. Are their days as BFFs numbered . . . ? Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer L. Holm. Plus don't miss Terri Libenson's  Becoming Brianna ! Gr 4–7—On the last day of seventh grade, Jaime and her best friend Maya are determined to talk about why things have grown awkward between them. Fans of Invisible Emmie and Positively Izzy will recognize this chatty pair. Jaime doesn't understand why Maya has been distant, and Maya wishes that Jaime would try harder to fit in with the crowd. Celia, the cool girl who wears makeup and kissed someone at summer camp, persuades Maya to shut Jaime out of their group. Maya is charmed by Celia's attention and goes along with the plan, to everyone's eventual regret. Jaime's side of the story is told in short chapters with doodled spot illustrations. Maya's perspective is rendered in full comics panels. In the end, Jaime stays true to herself—with the support of caring adults as well as old and new friends—and Maya returns, asking for forgiveness. This is a realistic, hopeful look at the "drama soup" of middle school. VERDICT A strong purchase for middle grade graphic novel collections, especially where Emmie and Izzy are circulating well.—Jennifer Costa, Cambridge Public Library, MA “A delightful tale that navigates the precarious ebb and flow of friendship dynamics.” - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) Positively Izzy: “Libenson captures middle-school dramas—family, friendships, crushes, stereotypes, grades, self-discovery—with candor, fast pacing, and authentic, relatable characters. Positively satisfying.” - The Horn Book Positively Izzy: “Libenson nicely touches on classic middle-grade tropes, such as shifting friendships, crushes, and developing confidence. A poignant twist ending adds a heartening note to an already charming story.” - ALA Booklist Positively Izzy: “The story is light but resonant for middle graders, with constant comedic asides in the illustrations.” - Kirkus Reviews Invisible Emmie: “This is middle grade fiction at its best. A fantastic debut novel with plenty of laughs and tons of heart. INVISIBLE EMMIE is unforgettable!” - Lincoln Peirce, New York Times-bestselling creator of Big Nate Invisible Emmie: “Clever, funny work by a great cartoonist. Reading INVISIBLE EMMIE sums up middle school: You laugh, you cry, you get beaned in the head with a volleyball.” - Stephanie Pastis, author of Timmy Failure Invisible Emmie: “This funny and heartfelt tale will ring true for anyone who’s ever felt invisible.” - Victoria Jamieson, Newbery Honor author-illustrator of ROLLER GIRL “Libenson perfectly portrays the gaslighting and passive aggression that can be the hallmarks of middle-school relationships turned sour, and readers struggling with cracking of beloved friendships will find reassurance in the book’s ‘this too shall pass’ sentiment.” - Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books “This story is simultaneously incredibly original and utterly universal. The emotional roller-coaster of navigating friendships as they change shape, particularly in middle school, is portrayed with admirable sincerity, gentle humor, heartbreaking pain, and of course plenty of texts and emojis. Libenson weaves a beautiful, accessible, layered story yet again.” - ALA Booklist Friends. Frenemies. MIDDLE SCHOOL. The last day of seventh grade has Jaime and Maya wondering who their real friends are. Jaime knows something is off with her friend group. They’ve started to exclude her and make fun of the way she dresses and the things she likes. At least she can count on her BFF, Maya, to have her back . . . right? Maya feels more and more annoyed with Jaime, who seems babyish compared to the other girls in their popular group. It’s like she has nothing in common with Jai anymore. Are their days as BFFs numbered . . . ? Terri Libenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series and the cartoonist of the (now retired) award-winning comic strip The Pajama Diaries . Terri empty-nests in Cleveland, Ohio, with her husband, Mike. She is the proud mom of two grown daughters and a poodle. You can find her online at terrilibenson.com.