Q&A with Terri Libenson

 

 

 

Terri Libenson is the author and illustrator of the new middle grade graphic novel Entirely Emmie, the latest in her Emmie & Friends series. She lives in Cleveland.

 

Q: Why did you decide to focus on your characters Emmie (again) and Joe in your new book?

 

A: My editor and I thought it would be great to circle back to that endearing OG character, Emmie. She has grown so much in seventh grade, and I wanted to write from her more “evolved” perspective at the end of the school year.

 

As for Joe, I simply caved to all the reader requests for him (so many!). Seriously, though, it was Joe’s time, and I really enjoyed writing for him and revealing what lies underneath that outrageous facade.

 

The book takes place during an end-of-year class trip to a campground. Aside from the fun outdoorsy setting, what sets this story apart is it touches (bad pun) on body autonomy and boundaries (very innocently, don’t worry!), which is an important topic for pre-adolescents. The story also encourages communication between friends.

 

I think these are great catalysts for parent-child discussions.

 

Q: In the book’s acknowledgments, you write, “When writing, one of my main goals is to show that there’s usually more to someone than meets the eye. The world can always use more empathy (and laughter—something Joe understands).” Can you say more about that?

 

A: This is a reoccurring theme in the series: to encourage empathy in young readers by revealing so many different characters’ inner thoughts, fears, anxieties, hopes, etc. Basically, to show their humanity.

 

This is especially important for kids who may channel their anxieties inward and think they are alone or think that other kids adhere to an outward label.

 

But, of course, I like balancing all this with a lot of humor, and it’s perfect for highlighting Joe, a wannabe comedian. Humor tempers all that anxiety with hope and optimism.

 

Q: Why did you decide to write (mostly) about seventh graders in the series?

 

A: I stumbled into middle grade writing when I was encouraged to try my hand at children’s book writing. I wrote my first book, Invisible Emmie, as an experiment and found I had a knack and love for it. I think it’s mainly because I still feel stuck at age 12!

 

Q: What do you think the book says about friendship?

 

A: I love unlikely friendships, and that’s also an ongoing theme in many of my books. I think it shows that you don’t always have to have the same likes, outlooks, or interests to strike up a friendship.

 

Sometimes it just occurs spontaneously or when you’re thrown into a situation together (in this case with Emmie and Joe or with Anthony and Leah in Always Anthony). I’ve had friendships like that myself, and they’ve been so valuable to me.

 

Q: What are you working on now?

 

A: I’m alternating between the next book in the series (#10!), an illustrated humorous book for adults, and a historical fiction graphic novel (veeeery ongoing).

 

Q: Anything else we should know?

 

A: Sure! Entirely Emmie comes out on May 6. You can preorder it through links on my website. I’ll be doing a book tour and some promotional events this spring, so I hope readers will continually check out my website for details.

 

--Interview with Deborah Kalb. Here's a previous Q&A with Terri Libenson.