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Emmie & Friends #4
Becoming Brianna
National bestselling author Terri Libenson returns with another endearing, relatable story of friendship and finding confidence. Perfect for fans of Raina Telgemeier and Jennifer L. Holm.
Middle school is full of challenges.
Everyone knows how much brainy Bri likes the spotlight (not). So why did she ever agree to something that forces her to learn a new language, give a speech, help organize a party, and juggle drama at school and home?! As the big event inches closer, Bri wonders if it's all worth it. . . .
Told in alternating past and present chapters, Bri's heartwarming story unfolds over the eight months leading up to her bat mitzvah--as well as over the course of the big day itself.
Middle school is full of challenges.
Everyone knows how much brainy Bri likes the spotlight (not). So why did she ever agree to something that forces her to learn a new language, give a speech, help organize a party, and juggle drama at school and home?! As the big event inches closer, Bri wonders if it's all worth it. . . .
Told in alternating past and present chapters, Bri's heartwarming story unfolds over the eight months leading up to her bat mitzvah--as well as over the course of the big day itself.
320 pages, Paperback
First published May 5, 2020
692 people are currently reading
3988 people want to read
About the author
Terri Libenson
21 books707 followersTerri Libenson (pronounced LEE-ben-son) is a New York Times bestselling children’s book author and award-winning cartoonist of the syndicated daily comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, which ran from 2006-2020. She was also an award-winning humorous card writer for American Greetings.
Terri graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA in illustration and a minor in art history. Her daily syndicated comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, launched with King Features in 2006 and ran in hundreds of newspapers internationally until its retirement in January, 2020. Pajama Diaries has been nominated four times for the Reuben Award for “Best Newspaper Comic Strip” by the National Cartoonists Society and won in 2016. You can read the Pajama Diaries archives daily on ComicsKingdom.com.
Terri has three Pajama Diaries book collections: Deja To-Do, Having It All–And No Time To Do It, and Bat-Zilla. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade series, Emmie & Friends (Balzer + Bray).
Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Terri lives with her husband and two daughters in Cleveland, OH.
Terri graduated from Washington University in St. Louis with a BFA in illustration and a minor in art history. Her daily syndicated comic strip, The Pajama Diaries, launched with King Features in 2006 and ran in hundreds of newspapers internationally until its retirement in January, 2020. Pajama Diaries has been nominated four times for the Reuben Award for “Best Newspaper Comic Strip” by the National Cartoonists Society and won in 2016. You can read the Pajama Diaries archives daily on ComicsKingdom.com.
Terri has three Pajama Diaries book collections: Deja To-Do, Having It All–And No Time To Do It, and Bat-Zilla. She is also the New York Times bestselling author of the middle grade series, Emmie & Friends (Balzer + Bray).
Born and raised in Kingston, PA, Terri lives with her husband and two daughters in Cleveland, OH.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews
May 16, 2020
Terri Libenson is so talented. Her work is both funny and touching, and completely relatable.
September 24, 2020
Both informative and entertaining, this new graphic novel from Terri Libenson takes the reader step by step through preparation for a bat mitzvah. Brianna agrees to participate despite not having gone to Hebrew school regularly. As you might imagine, doubts creep in as Brianna struggles through learning the Hebrew and writing her own speech. What I loved about this book aside from the inside look at this religious milestone, is the time Brianna spends discussing the Torah with her rabbi and struggling with questions of faith. She also realizes the value of being a part of a religious community and the support and encouragement you gain. Libenson's signature style alternates graphic panels with "notebook" chapters. I love the mix of styles and find her sketches remind me a bit of the 'Cathy' comic strip that I enjoyed for so many years. Includes a glossary in the end notes.
Read
January 27, 2023Becoming Brianna is the fourth book in the Emmie & Friends series, but could easily stand on its own.
In this middle grade graphic novel, Brianna agrees to have a bat mitzvah which means she has a few months to learn Hebrew, read parts of the Torah, and give a speech in front of her family and friends at the ceremony. At first, Brianna commits in order to please her mom and carry on the tradition her mom started - as she was the first female in the family to have a bat mitzvah. As Brianna studies the Torah and works on her speech, she has conversations with her rabbi and is encouraged to think and question.
The story is told through two timelines that switch between the chapters, one that is "now" and one that starts "eight months ago." As a non-Jewish reader, I found this book very engaging and I also learned a lot about the bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah preparation and celebration. -Diana F.
In this middle grade graphic novel, Brianna agrees to have a bat mitzvah which means she has a few months to learn Hebrew, read parts of the Torah, and give a speech in front of her family and friends at the ceremony. At first, Brianna commits in order to please her mom and carry on the tradition her mom started - as she was the first female in the family to have a bat mitzvah. As Brianna studies the Torah and works on her speech, she has conversations with her rabbi and is encouraged to think and question.
The story is told through two timelines that switch between the chapters, one that is "now" and one that starts "eight months ago." As a non-Jewish reader, I found this book very engaging and I also learned a lot about the bar mitzvah / bat mitzvah preparation and celebration. -Diana F.
Want to read
May 31, 2019But didn’t we have a book devoted to her already?
June 28, 2020
This book is about a girl named Brianna, who is having a Bat Mitzvah. She really didn't want to have one, but agrees to it to please her mother. As a result, she is a bit stressed over it. There is a lot of preparation involved including reciting Hebrew prayers and making a speech in front of a lot of people. She doesn't know all the Hebrew prayers because she didn't always go to Hebrew school, so that is adding to her stress.
That was it. The whole book, chapter after chapter was her worrying about the Bar Mitzvah. After a while it became boring a repetitive. There was some drama introduced with her and her best friend drifting apart and the popular girls becoming friends with her just to be invited to the party. Then in the end, she "accidentally" invited more people to the party and had to pay for them herself.
I really wanted to like this book, as I am a big fan of the other books by this author. But I just didn't. I couldn't wait for it to be over and for her to have the party so we could both be put out of our misery!
That was it. The whole book, chapter after chapter was her worrying about the Bar Mitzvah. After a while it became boring a repetitive. There was some drama introduced with her and her best friend drifting apart and the popular girls becoming friends with her just to be invited to the party. Then in the end, she "accidentally" invited more people to the party and had to pay for them herself.
I really wanted to like this book, as I am a big fan of the other books by this author. But I just didn't. I couldn't wait for it to be over and for her to have the party so we could both be put out of our misery!
January 21, 2022
“Well, here I am again.”
- first line
The fourth book in the emmie & Friends series follows Brianna in two timelines: the weeks leading up to her Bat Mitzvah and the day of the event. During these times she navigates friendship issues (are some girls friends with her because they believe the party will be the event of the year?), performance anxiety, and questions about her beliefs, not to mention dealing with her divorced parents increasing tension and fighting. Brianna’s best friend warned her about her new “cool” friends and they got into a huge, potentially friendship-ending fight about it. Her parents are fighting like they never did before and Brianna is wondering if she really wants a Bat Mitzvah after all.
Recommended to fans of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, Smile, and other realistic fiction/girl friendship stories.
- first line
The fourth book in the emmie & Friends series follows Brianna in two timelines: the weeks leading up to her Bat Mitzvah and the day of the event. During these times she navigates friendship issues (are some girls friends with her because they believe the party will be the event of the year?), performance anxiety, and questions about her beliefs, not to mention dealing with her divorced parents increasing tension and fighting. Brianna’s best friend warned her about her new “cool” friends and they got into a huge, potentially friendship-ending fight about it. Her parents are fighting like they never did before and Brianna is wondering if she really wants a Bat Mitzvah after all.
Recommended to fans of the Baby-Sitters Club graphic novels, Smile, and other realistic fiction/girl friendship stories.
April 22, 2020
full disclosure: i received an arc through a goodreads giveaway.
this was super cute and made me chuckle more than a few times. i loved learning about the process of a bat mitzvah and the glossary in the back (so cool that there's a b'nai mitzvah!); really heart-warming with adorable art.
this was super cute and made me chuckle more than a few times. i loved learning about the process of a bat mitzvah and the glossary in the back (so cool that there's a b'nai mitzvah!); really heart-warming with adorable art.
July 9, 2020
I really liked it! I don't know if I like this one or Just Jamie better, but it's still really good
July 11, 2024
Content warning ⚠️ it talks about a person being gay on one or two pages.
January 7, 2021
I didn't like Brianna's character I felt like is is annoying as hell and the thing that most pissed me was how at beginning she was like going on and on about the performance and then the end was rushed I didn't enjoy any characters and everything was about her how she talk with her friends and family was not okay for me I have read this book 2 weeks ago and I still feel nagtive about this book
August 2, 2023
I just finished this book it was pretty good! I like it because it talked a lot about jewish people and there culture! But something I did not like about this book is that there was feminist quotes and talking bad about boys. I have no problem this is just a book for kids and it just has
Political quotes in it. I would definitely read this book again I enjoyed it a lot thought!!!!!🥰🥰
Political quotes in it. I would definitely read this book again I enjoyed it a lot thought!!!!!🥰🥰
July 9, 2023
Poorly written, Brianna is a little piece of crap
November 14, 2024
4 / 5
So fun to read and true satisfaction! I really enjoyed getting to know about Bat Mitzvah and the little twist and turns that made this book truly relatable and memorable :)
So fun to read and true satisfaction! I really enjoyed getting to know about Bat Mitzvah and the little twist and turns that made this book truly relatable and memorable :)
Read
December 19, 2021Ania picked this up as a Christmas gift for our 11 year old nephew (who's not on Goodreads, whew 😅). Because its a book that was laying out in the open, I couldn't help but pick it up and read it. :)
It's a graphic novel (which I have never really read) with good artistry and some pretty silly funny scenes. Also definitely learned a bit more about bat mitzvahs which I have 0 direct experience with, but generally have a high respect for people who go through this period of life.
Pretty fun overall.
It's a graphic novel (which I have never really read) with good artistry and some pretty silly funny scenes. Also definitely learned a bit more about bat mitzvahs which I have 0 direct experience with, but generally have a high respect for people who go through this period of life.
Pretty fun overall.
October 28, 2020
Graphic Novel
Middle school challenges continue in Brianna's story. She is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and readers see the story in alternating time frames. Brianna narrates the activities of the day in the present and also takes readers back through the school year and the events of the past year. We see a major argument with Emmie and each of them finding other friends - fake and otherwise. Readers will connect to parents who argue and the continuing emotions after a divorce. Brianna also narrates her struggle with faith and figuring out who she is and what she believes. A lovely reminder that each person has to make these decisions. Plenty of humor woven through the series themes as well.
Middle school challenges continue in Brianna's story. She is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah and readers see the story in alternating time frames. Brianna narrates the activities of the day in the present and also takes readers back through the school year and the events of the past year. We see a major argument with Emmie and each of them finding other friends - fake and otherwise. Readers will connect to parents who argue and the continuing emotions after a divorce. Brianna also narrates her struggle with faith and figuring out who she is and what she believes. A lovely reminder that each person has to make these decisions. Plenty of humor woven through the series themes as well.
September 18, 2020
Loved the fact that my daughter learned about what a bat mitzvah was. Brought back fond memories of attending a friend’s bar mitzvah in Jr. High. Parts of this story made me laugh, but it was balanced with depth as Brianna learns about herself.
December 26, 2021
Trying to please. #3wordbookreview
July 18, 2023
I really liked this book although I was a little annoyed that she had a bat mitzvah and not something more interesting. I also found it weird that the party at the end was book themed. I mean I know people that really like books but even they would find it kind of weird to have a book themed party. This book wasn't as good as the others but still quite funny.
June 12, 2024
I actually loved this book and I felt like I can really relate to a lot of stuff that happens like how she was really scared to speak in front of everyone.
April 28, 2020
The wait is almost over for the fourth installment of the humorous, and oh so relatable, Emmie & Friends series by celebrated cartoonist, Terri Libenson. BECOMING BRIANNA, follows smart, introverted feminist, Brianna, in the eight eventful months leading up to her bat mitzvah. In the alternating style of “graphic novel hybrid” and full comic panels readers of the series have come to expect—and love—Libenson cleverly and colorfully tells Brianna’s story of her challenging, emotional months of preparation and questions about her beliefs to present day where she continues to reflect and cope with her whirlwind of emotions. She does quite a bit of soul-searching while also dealing with friendship drama and rumors at school and some bickering between her divorced parents at home. I definitely enjoyed my return to Lakefront Middle School and seeing familiar characters once again with small hints of recall from the past books. Witty and heartfelt, BECOMING BRIANNA is a journey of self-discovery, faith, friendship, and family that is surely going to be another hit with my students!
October 14, 2020
Brianna the Brain is dealing with middle school, but add her parents divorce and her upcoming Bat Mitzvah and it is almost more than she can handle. For fans of 3 previous books Just Jaime, Invisible Emmie, Positively Izzy...middle school with all the ups and downs,
June 2, 2020
Okay
This book was okay, but I found some parts boring. I prefer the other books in the series, it’s still a good book though.
This book was okay, but I found some parts boring. I prefer the other books in the series, it’s still a good book though.
February 7, 2021
Enjoyed this short audiobook about a young girl preparing for a bat mitzvah, questioning why she is having one while dealing with friendship issues. Will recommend to MS students.
July 14, 2021
Meh. I don't like this girl much so I had a tougher time getting into this one.
October 7, 2025
Accurate, a lot of middle school drama though. Good explanation of a bat mitzvah though.
July 16, 2020
I really enjoy the Emmie & Friends series and enjoyed this fourth installment to it. If you have read the others you might remember Brianna, this book is all about her!
Brianna is torn- her Mom wants her to have a bat mitzvah and Brianna wants to make her Mom happy. However, their family has never been very religious and Brianna quit going to Sunday school early on and doesn't know much Hebrew. She also doesn't necessarily feel that she belongs to that community
Nevertheless, Brianna agrees to go along with it. Her Mom arranges a Hebrew tutor for her, they meet with the Rabbi and the Cantor regularly and from the outside things appear to be steadily moving along. This is not the case, fantastical rumors about her bat mitzvah party are going around school and suddenly a bunch of popular girls are cozening up to her. Her best friend Emmie tries to share her concerns that they are doing it merely to get invites to what they think will be the "event of the summer" but Brianna gets made and they have a falling out.
Will Brianna ever memorize the Hebrew prayers she needs too? Has she written her speech about what her bat mitzvah means to her? Will she and Emmie make up or give each other the cold shoulder the rest of the year?
Told in alternating timelines between Past Brianna and Present Brianna we see how this story all comes together. For those unfamiliar with Judaism there is a Glossary at the end of the book that explains the meanings of the Hebrew terms used, although the author does a good job of explaining the meaning in context as well. I really like Terri Libenson's work, I think the stories are easy to understand and relatable while being entertaining. A light-hearted read especially right now!
Brianna is torn- her Mom wants her to have a bat mitzvah and Brianna wants to make her Mom happy. However, their family has never been very religious and Brianna quit going to Sunday school early on and doesn't know much Hebrew. She also doesn't necessarily feel that she belongs to that community
Nevertheless, Brianna agrees to go along with it. Her Mom arranges a Hebrew tutor for her, they meet with the Rabbi and the Cantor regularly and from the outside things appear to be steadily moving along. This is not the case, fantastical rumors about her bat mitzvah party are going around school and suddenly a bunch of popular girls are cozening up to her. Her best friend Emmie tries to share her concerns that they are doing it merely to get invites to what they think will be the "event of the summer" but Brianna gets made and they have a falling out.
Will Brianna ever memorize the Hebrew prayers she needs too? Has she written her speech about what her bat mitzvah means to her? Will she and Emmie make up or give each other the cold shoulder the rest of the year?
Told in alternating timelines between Past Brianna and Present Brianna we see how this story all comes together. For those unfamiliar with Judaism there is a Glossary at the end of the book that explains the meanings of the Hebrew terms used, although the author does a good job of explaining the meaning in context as well. I really like Terri Libenson's work, I think the stories are easy to understand and relatable while being entertaining. A light-hearted read especially right now!
August 10, 2020
This series is adorable!
So before I get to my review, know that these past few weeks have been kind of hellish for me. Family drama, friend drama, work drama... If it could happen, it happened. None of this drama directly involved me, personally, but I happened to be at or near Ground Zero when it all transpired. And to cap things off, the Jeep took a major s*it as we were driving 75 mph down the highway. Most of the drama is on its way to resolving itself and the Jeep is fixed, after nearly 3 weeks, but damn I'm exhausted by it all!!
I was thinking I needed something light to read, something brainlessly entertaining. Think on the level of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Funny, predictable to a fault, the literary equivalent of Peeps... No nutritional value at all (nothing but high fructose corn syrup, sugar, air, and artificial colors), but so mysteriously tasty you can't just eat one. Especially if they're ever so slightly stale...
But what I really needed was this book!!
I needed to read about someone else's drama. I needed a character I can sympathize. Poor Bri... she had it as bad as I did as far as all the drama all at once. Between trying to not let her family down, fighting with her BFF Emmie, and dealing with all the "fake" friends who are only using as a means to their own twisted ends... Yikes! Plus crippling stage fright! Girl is in DEEP! And I empathized. So much!! But, as with other books in this adorable series, everything worked out in the end. YAY!!!
Reading this, I realized my dramas aren't so bad. And, as they are with Bri (and Emmie and Izzy and Jaime), Drama isn't a constant state. Things resolve themselves.
After all... it could be MUCH worse...
I could be back in Middle School (*Shudder*).
And I wouldn't relive those days again for anything! Not for Seven Quadrillion Dollars, World Peace, and a Magical Kitten named Marigold.
Wellllll.... maybe a Magical Kitten.
So before I get to my review, know that these past few weeks have been kind of hellish for me. Family drama, friend drama, work drama... If it could happen, it happened. None of this drama directly involved me, personally, but I happened to be at or near Ground Zero when it all transpired. And to cap things off, the Jeep took a major s*it as we were driving 75 mph down the highway. Most of the drama is on its way to resolving itself and the Jeep is fixed, after nearly 3 weeks, but damn I'm exhausted by it all!!
I was thinking I needed something light to read, something brainlessly entertaining. Think on the level of Janet Evanovich's Stephanie Plum series. Funny, predictable to a fault, the literary equivalent of Peeps... No nutritional value at all (nothing but high fructose corn syrup, sugar, air, and artificial colors), but so mysteriously tasty you can't just eat one. Especially if they're ever so slightly stale...
But what I really needed was this book!!
I needed to read about someone else's drama. I needed a character I can sympathize. Poor Bri... she had it as bad as I did as far as all the drama all at once. Between trying to not let her family down, fighting with her BFF Emmie, and dealing with all the "fake" friends who are only using as a means to their own twisted ends... Yikes! Plus crippling stage fright! Girl is in DEEP! And I empathized. So much!! But, as with other books in this adorable series, everything worked out in the end. YAY!!!
Reading this, I realized my dramas aren't so bad. And, as they are with Bri (and Emmie and Izzy and Jaime), Drama isn't a constant state. Things resolve themselves.
After all... it could be MUCH worse...
I could be back in Middle School (*Shudder*).
And I wouldn't relive those days again for anything! Not for Seven Quadrillion Dollars, World Peace, and a Magical Kitten named Marigold.
Wellllll.... maybe a Magical Kitten.
August 14, 2020
Continuing the series that is popular with the realistic fiction graphic novel lovers of my library, who find these books in the JM section, which is what we call our tween section.
Brianna grudgingly agrees to have a Bat Mitzvah, and her mom goes overboard in the planning. Brianna puts off writing her speech, which only causes more stress. Her best friend Emmie notes that the popular girls might just be giving Brianna attention so that they will get invited to what seems to be The Party, and Brianna and Emmie have a falling out. This title is different from the previous ones in that the two different voices are not two different characters, but instead past Bri and current Bri. The adults in Brianna's life are multidimensional and caring. The drama of middle school cannot be overemphasized, but in this book the the girls ate a little awkward with each other after they make up, showing that we have to work to earn friendships. And the other students from past books are here, including the bathroom girl.
A great series from a local author.
Brianna grudgingly agrees to have a Bat Mitzvah, and her mom goes overboard in the planning. Brianna puts off writing her speech, which only causes more stress. Her best friend Emmie notes that the popular girls might just be giving Brianna attention so that they will get invited to what seems to be The Party, and Brianna and Emmie have a falling out. This title is different from the previous ones in that the two different voices are not two different characters, but instead past Bri and current Bri. The adults in Brianna's life are multidimensional and caring. The drama of middle school cannot be overemphasized, but in this book the the girls ate a little awkward with each other after they make up, showing that we have to work to earn friendships. And the other students from past books are here, including the bathroom girl.
A great series from a local author.
August 1, 2021
Absolutely LOVED this book!! It is not often that I see a character like me in a book so I was so excited to read this one and I can't wait to add it to my classroom library. In this book, Brianna is preparing for her Bat Mitzvah, a very important ceremony for Jewish girls when they turn 13. This book alternates narratives between the past (her planning for the event and going through the normal trials and tribulations of middle school) and the present (the actual Bat Mitzvah ceremony and party following). I have been where Brianna was, preparing to speak Hebrew in front of family and friends and being so nervous. Not to mention balancing also being a 7th grader and all the complications of being in middle school. This book did a phenomenal job with all of the Jewish aspects of the story and the Hebrew. It also had some great messages about friendships, the importance of questioning things and not just following blindly, and what it means to put your mind to something and push to follow through. Highly recommend!! Thank you Terri Libenson for writing this book!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 352 reviews