The dictionary definition of invisible is “unable to be seen; not visible to the eye”. The middle school definition of invisible is not exactly the same. Has someone ever walked by you, shoved past you, and not given you a second glance? That happens to Emmie on a daily basis. This is understandable, because she is quiet, shy, and not the popular type. This book is about how Emmie survives middle school during an embarrassing event that draws unwanted attention to her. Soon, when the most popular girl in school, Katie, tries to come to her aid, things do not go her way. Katie is a very popular character in this story. Emmie, on the other hand, is a shy, quiet person who is just trying to hide from everyone and get through middle school. Kate is also not afraid to stand up for herself and others around her. And while she tries to stand up for Emmie, it doesn’t work out as well as intended. This book has a great plot, escalates slowly, and makes you want to keep turning the pages. I bet that if you are in middle school, you will relate to this book one way or another. This book is part of a series. If you enjoy this book, there are many others you can enjoy. Readers of any age will enjoy this book, but I recommend it to any middle school student looking for a new book. I first read this book when I was ten years old, and I still enjoy reading it! One of the things that I love about this book is that it narrates the story from multiple perspectives. Other books in the series show their stories from multiple timelines as well. I also like that this book is a graphic novel. I like that it’s a graphic novel because while I like visualizing pictures, I also love seeing how the author imagines everything in the story. The author, Terri Libenson, did an amazing job of making everything bright, colorful, and cartoonish, while still making it look realistic. Overall, this is one of the best graphic novels I have ever read. This series is amazing, and I recommend it as a must-read book/series for any middle school student, especially those who feel invisible. Invisible Emmie by Terri Libenson. Balzer & Bray/Harperteen. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Book Reviews
Scar Island, Reviewed by Arjun Nair, 12
It is said that guilt is perhaps the most painful companion of death, but Jonathan Grisby feels he deserves far worse. After a terrible accident that leaves his family in despair, Jonathan takes responsibility for a crime that he did not commit. He is soon sent to the Slabhenge Reformatory School, a place that was once a prison and, in some ways, still is. As time passes on the forlorn island, chaos erupts like magma from the Earth while Jonathan sinks in guilt. Scar Island is a thrilling work, for author Dan Gemeinhart did an exceptional job crafting this story. The moment he arrived on the island, Jonathan faced his harsh treatment. The head supervisor of the island, the Admiral, kept a firm grip on everything that took place. The boys were forced to take care of every task that needed to be done, leaving the Admiral and his colleagues living in luxury. To ensure their comfortable and extravagant life was eternal, they extended the stay of many boys much longer, excusing themselves by saying, “There’s still more work to do.” Although he faced an excruciating life, Jonathan made a few friends who helped guide him in his new life. Just as he seemed to be getting used to Slabhenge, a strange event occurred on the island. On the second morning of Jonathan’s stay, a brutal storm swept through the island. The Admiral lifted his sword into the air during the morning’s event, completely unexpecting what was about to happen. As all the officials were standing in deep puddles, the outcome was inevitable. They were dead before they hit the ground. By this point, the magma had become lava, seeping through the crevices of the island, melting any form of peace to little more than dust. While this novel incorporates many thrilling elements, it also contains some meaningful value. Throughout the book, Jonathan struggles with guilt that he doesn’t deserve. In life, you should never blame yourself for things you did not do because it will only cause the downfall of your mental health. As the book goes on, Jonathan begins to understand this, something important for everyone to recognize. Altogether, Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart is an excellent book with ideas scarcely found in others of its genre. Author Gemeinhart managed to compose a riveting plot and convey a strong message at the same time, something that made this book a wonderful read. Thus, I recommend this book to the ages of 10-13, as it holds components perfectly suited for those of this age. Scar Island by Dan Gemeinhart. Scholastic Press, 2018. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
Scythe, Reviewed by Emily Ke, 12
I know. To think about the end of life, death, is a topic that everyone is scared to talk about. It is depressing to be honest, but after I read the sci-fi page-turner Scythe by Neal Shusterman, I wasn’t scared anymore. In fact, it made me appreciate life more. Through this book, I went into a temporary escape to a world governed by two corporations that run MidMerica (Future USA): Thunderhead, the governing body, and Scythedom, the army. Here, people don’t die of old age, or anything that involves physical damage to the human body, like jumping off a skyscraper. The only way for a life to end is to have a Scythe glean you. I love this word, and this is the alternative synonym from now on. So what does this mean? It’s a chosen method, a ritual, by the Scythe, and how you glean tells a lot about who you are. Now enter the two main characters, Citra and Rowan, who are to be chosen by Scythe Brahms, an honorable old (probably the oldest) sage, to be his apprentices. The funny thing is…neither of them WANTS to be a scythe, so they’re agitated deep inside. Only one of them can become a true Scythe, and they work to NOT be the chosen ones, but let’s not spoil the book about who becomes the ‘unlucky’ one. I could write a whole new book review about what it means to run away from your fate but come to accept it. Sometimes we have to be courageous and rise up to the situation, but this book review is about gleaning, and an equally thought-provoking question came to mind as I was grabbing the pages tighter. That is, who determines the gleaning—us or the ones with power? In this world, they might not have the freedom to choose how to be gleaned, and in the real world, I think we have similar limitations. Then, I started asking my family and friends around me. How would you like to be gleaned (after explaining what that meant)? Everyone had different answers. One said going into a deep, happy sleep where pain is no longer felt, and then drift off into another dimension. I like that one. The other said having one big party with everyone you love with an unforgettable feast, and then entering a door that says ‘Yay, you made it to the other side!” What I realized is that when you give people freedom as to how they want to be gleaned, it’s positive, which makes us positive creatures. When we think about the end, we want happiness and joy not only for us, but for the people around us. As soon as there is control, then we turn into negativity. This is always the central message of dystopian novels, it seems like. The reason I love this book, and why everyone should read it is because thinking about gleaning is a part of life and what it means to be free. We live on this Earth not knowing what’s going to happen next, but we know that we are more likely to suffer psychologically if we get gleaned in a way that we dislike. This is also important in difficult areas like capital punishment or euthanasia rights or just giving people the right to close the life chapter with a smile. So, don’t be afraid to give this book a try. You’ll see that the end of life is just as important as how you live the best life now. Scythe by Neal Schusterman. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 2017. Buy the book here and help support Stone Soup in the process!
