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Reviewed by: Emily McFarlane, Elementary School Librarian Title: Remarkably Ruby
Author: Terri Libenson Series: Invisible Emmie/Emmie and Friends #6
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 5-8 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction Graphic Novel
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: A couple of crude references/humor, an LGBTQIA+ side character
Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: I love the Invisible Emmie series, and each one has been focusing on a different character from the background of previous books. It's lovely to see all of the characters get their own spotlight.
If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be: When your only friend has turned their back on you, where else can you turn?
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Review:
Ruby has been "baked bean girl" for the last 2 years among the other kids at the middle school she goes to with the rest of the cast of Emmie and Friends, and she's been struggling with fitting in. Her nervous stomach/IBS has caused her a lot of problems, and she generally feels like she's stuck in elementary school, even though she's the biggest kid in her class. Her former friend, Mia, has been icing her out and her mom is always on her case to join something which just makes her feel worse. When an opportunity to join the Poetry club pops up, Ruby decides to give it a try.
Mia, on the other hand, is consumed with election preparations for class president and is struggling to juggle her friendships, her boyfriend, and all of the election preparations at the same time. She can't worry much about how she's treating everyone, especially her former friend, Ruby. Ruby embarrasses her and she's trying to get away from that "babyish" behavior. Now that her BFF's are more friends with each other than Mia, though, she's starting to feel lonely.
Ruby and Mia's stories are told seamlessly through alternating perspectives and come together to form a lovely and satisfying ending. I love how Libenson weaves her characters' stories together so well, and the ending of this one threw me for a loop! I was so shocked and impressed that I hadn't figured it out along the way. I also love how realistically she portrays middle school and growing up. There is something about her characters that is always relatable for adults and kids alike. I especially related to Ruby, for many reasons. Each character across the series has had to deal with a different character flaw, which has made each book fresh and interesting. Emmie is painfully shy and had a fake love note spread all over the school, prompting her to stand up for herself and make friends. Brianna hates the spotlight but agreed to do a talent show and a bat mitzva, showing her that she CAN be confident. Jamie is struggling to figure out who her real friends are amid cliques and popular girls, but realizes that being true to yourself and sticking with the people who like you for who you really are is the best bet. All of the characters end up in realistic situations and have very believable reactions to what's going on, which makes their growth feel earned. I hope to keep reading and enjoying more of these!
The cast is also quite diverse across all of the friends and characters that pop in and out, in body type and looks which is a nice bonus!
Fans of Raina Telgemeier, the Click series, and Drama will gravitate toward these along with your avid graphic novel readers. The entire series is one huge SEL lesson, with so many themes: family, friendship, growing up, maturity, growing apart, standing up for yourself, bullying, and more. The covers are brightly colored and simple, always featuring the main character at the center against a simple background. They have a characteristic look that will let readers know they are part of the Emmie series.
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Find resources for Remarkably Ruby at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Author's Website
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