Emmie & Friends: Positively Izzy: A Graphic Novel

Written by Terri Libenson

Narrated by Cassandra Morris and Em Eldridge

Emmie & Friends: Positively Izzy has descriptive copy which is not yet available from the Publisher.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins
• Release date: May 5, 2020
• ISBN: 9780062840745

Terri Libenson

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.

Reviews for Emmie & Friends

[Melissa Petersen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Really good book!
I was listening to it while I was doing my chores, and it made my chores fun!
It totally captured me, and felt like I was in a different world.
I would recommend it for middle schoolers and up, because they know, THE STRUGGLE IS REAL!!!
Otherwise, great and exciting book!!

[Nicole Simmons · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I LOVE this audiobook!!!!?It’s so great ? yay!!
#inlove ?

[howifeelaboutbooks · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I was so glad to be able to start this book right after I finished Invisible Emmie, and I think I loved it even more than the first! It took me a minute to notice this book had alternating chapters, too, but once I did, I was blown away! The stories were both so amazing and the twist at the end brought tears to my eyes! Such a great story. Can’t wait to read more in this series!

[Neveen Sharaf · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Great book i love it ? it is very fun enjoy ?

[jennybeast · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Well, I'm glad for the twist at the end, because I was hella confused as to why there were 2 points of view here. I'm not really sure they work, to be honest -- it's just too disconnected, and weaving the two points of view together implies a whole lot happening that isn't really there. At least it's a related book that you can hand to the kids who loved Drama, but I think it's at about 75% of the charm of that book.

[sweetiegherkin · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Izzy can't seem to focus on school but absolutely loves things that use her creative side, so she cannot wait for the school's talent show. On the flip side, Brianna is nicknamed "the Brain" and would much rather be studying than on stage. Both girls are put to the test when their mothers interfere and push them outside their comfort zones.

This was an engrossing middle-grade read that deals with a lot of common issues tweens deal with (balancing school work, making new friends, having crushes, etc.). It does so deftly, highlighting positive responses without being overly didactic. The two stories converge in an epilogue that is rather surprising. If you really want the big spoiler, here it is: It turns out the two stories are not happening simultaneously as the reader is lead to believe, and that in actuality Izzy is Brianna's mother. However, I think working towards that conclusion is much better.

The illustrations are great. I keep seeing this book referred to as a "hybrid" between chapter book and graphic novel, and that seems fair. Brianna's story is told more in a traditional comics panel style, while Izzy's story looks like a hand-written diary accompanied by some sketches.

This book is a sort-of sequel to Invisible Emmie, although I did not feel lost without having read that book prior. (There may be some Easter eggs that readers of both books might spot.) In terms of diversity, there are definitely secondary characters of color, although the main ones appear to be Caucasian. Izzy's mother is a single parent while Brianna is being raised by divorced parents.

[librarianryan · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This is not a sequel to Invisible Emmie, but it is in that stories world, and Emmie shows up a few times. Izzy loves to act, sing, and be creative. That leaves very little time for standard academics, at which Izzy does not excel. She will have to buckle down and defy some laws to show that she can come out on top. Bri is a brain. She loves to study and hates the stage. That is not a good thing when your mom is the drama coach. To make mom happy she takes the stage, and learns that it may not be for her, but there are ways to be close with her mom. If you have read Invisible Emmie, you will know what to expect. There is a “surprise” ending that you will see coming. It’s expected, and maybe can be figured out. However, it is also a bit confusing because time. To understand what I mean, pick up the book and read it for yourself.
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