Written & Illustrated By: Terri Libenson

For Ages: MG

Language: English

Topics Covered: Friendship, Growing Up, Self-Reflection, Social-Emotional Learning, Journaling.

Summary: You fine folx might remember a few months ago I shared a graphic novel about a young Jewish girl with anxiety getting ready for her Bat Mitzvah. The book is part of a larger series called Emmie & Friends! Today, I share a related book but with a twist!

Author and illustrator Terri Libenson has created an interactive journal for fans of the series! I used to love books like this when I was younger (I also went through a phase where I liked filling out applications and questionnaires, but we’re not here to talk about that right now). In the journal, different characters discuss various social-emotional and friendship dilemmas, as well as the importance of knowing yourself through and through. You-Niquely You strikes a delicate balance of silly activities like designing your own ice cream flavor to drawing a comic about conflict resolution with a friend.

This journal is slightly different from what we typically share, but I believe that young people need outlets for their emotions, and we are all too aware how the last 7 months or so have impacted everyone on a global and catastrophic scale. Having these outlets is so crucial for emotional processing, and this journal combines critical thinking, best friends, and creativity to bring middle graders something that is uniquely them (see what I did there).

This journal was kindly sent by Harper Kids, but all opinions are my own!