Remarkably Ruby (Emmie & Friends)

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Author(s)

Terri Libenson

Publisher

Balzer + Bray

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

May 03, 2022

ISBN

978-0063139190

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From bestselling author Terri Libenson, this is a story about how there’s more to everyone than meets the eye.

Pride. Popularity . . . Poetry? Middle school.

Ruby and Mia are total opposites:

Ruby is a little awkward, not a “joiner,” and loves to write poetry.

While Mia is type A, popular(ish), and wants to be class prez.

They used to be friends. But now they have nothing in common anymore. . . . Or do they?

Editor review

1 review

Poetry and Class Election Anxiety

April 28, 2022 (Updated: May 31, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Ruby is constantly encouraged by her exuberant, artsy mother to get out and do things other than writing poetry in her journal and watering the family plants, but Ruby has fallen out with friends at school and is so uncomfortable in her body that she tries to stay off everyone's radar. Her anxiety about life has led her to develop Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms, and her clumsiness has occasionally landed her on social media in embarrassing ways. Mia, who used to be her friend, is completely embarrassed by Ruby and tries hard to avoid her. Mia is running for class president, and is herself incredibly anxious. She still has two friends, Keya and Gabi, as well as her boyfriend, Trevor, who is very supportive and also fun to kiss. As the campaign starts to heat up, especially when rumors fly that Josh is trying to bribe people to vote for him, Mia starts to alienate her friends by being obsessed with her campaign and not sharing her concerns with those who care about her. Ruby, meanwhile, agrees to join a poetry club that her favorite teacher, Mrs. Winn, is starting, and even helps to recruit members. She's a little uncomfortable, but starts to enjoy herself. She even makes a new friend, Leah, and the two hang out together. During a talent show, Ruby reads a poem that vaguely describes the breakdown of her relationship with Mia, which mortified Mia right before the class election. The two have an altercation, and the principal decides that because of their past history, they can help Mrs. Winn run a poetry program for elementary students instead of serving detention. Will the girl be able to reconnect, and get help with their rampant anxiety?

Good Points

This hybrid illustrated novel/graphic novel series has been very popular with my students who like Raina Telgemeier and Svetlana Chmakova's middle school titles that also showcase the generational anxiety so many students are currently exhibiting. Like this author's other books (Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzie, Just Jaime, Becoming Brianna, Truly Tyler), this has a good mix of school, family, and social situations with which the main characters must deal. It's not strictly necessary to read these in order, but it is fun to look back and see where characters like Ruby and Mia appear in the other volumes in smaller roles. I'd love to see Trevor or Josh examined, especially since they don't seem to have the same level of trauma in their lives that Mia, Ruby, Emmie, and Brianna seem to have.

One of the things I like best about these books is the representation of the parents. Parents are still a huge part of middle schoolers lives, and they determine so many facets of middle school experiences. I loved seeing Mia's father tell her she had to put her phone downstairs, and enjoyed Ruby's mother's overly enthusiastic interest in her daughter's life. Parents can be a source of embarrassment for tweens, but also a good source of support, and it was interesting to see that Ruby's mother eventually has her attend therapy sessions for her emotionally based stomach upsets.

There's a good mix of artwork, and hand drawn style of text, which greatly appeals to young readers. Mia's chapters are drawn with more traditional, comic book style panels, while Ruby's are a mixture of text blocks and smaller drawings. The color palette tends toward the pastel, with Mia's sections having more pops of color.

These books will be greatly appreciated by fans of Scrivan's Nat Enough series, Miller's Click books, and Lloyd's Allergic.

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer #1 Reviewer 2464 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0(1)

Characters

5.0(1)

Writing Style

5.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0(1)

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Great read for middle schoolers!

April 19, 2026 (Updated: May 31, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Plot

5.0

Characters

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Remarkably Ruby is a relatable middle school story that explores friendship, anxiety, and identity. Told through a mix of illustrated panels and written narration, the book follows two former friends, Ruby and Mia, who seem completely different but are dealing with similar struggles beneath the surface.

Ruby is quiet, creative, and more comfortable writing poetry than socializing. She struggles with anxiety and feels out of place at school, which affects both her confidence and her health. Her discomfort in social situations is very realistic, especially for middle school readers who may feel the same way. On the other hand, Mia appears more put together. She is focused on becoming class president and maintaining her social status, but she is also dealing with pressure and anxiety. Even though she tries to act confident, it becomes clear that she is overwhelmed in her own way.

The story does a good job of showing how both girls are misunderstood. Ruby is seen as awkward and invisible, while Mia is seen as controlling or overly focused on popularity. As the plot develops, especially during the class election and the talent show, their unresolved issues come to the surface. The moment when Ruby shares her poem is especially powerful because it reveals her emotions in a way that others cannot ignore.

One of the strongest parts of the book is how it handles anxiety. Both characters experience it differently, but in ways that feel honest and age-appropriate. Ruby’s physical symptoms and Mia’s pressure to succeed highlight how stress can affect people in different ways. The inclusion of supportive adults, especially Ruby’s mother and teacher, adds depth and shows that help is available even when things feel overwhelming.

The format of the book also makes it engaging. The combination of drawings and text helps bring the characters to life and makes the story easy to follow. It is similar in style to books by Raina Telgemeier, which makes it especially appealing to younger readers or those who enjoy graphic novels.

Overall, Remarkably Ruby is a meaningful and accessible story about growing up, dealing with anxiety, and understanding others. It shows that people are more complex than they seem and that friendships can change but still have the potential to heal.

Good Points

Realistic portrayal of anxiety and middle school struggles

Strong character contrast that highlights different perspectives

Engaging mix of illustrations and text that keeps the story interesting