Invisible Emmie

“I never thought I was much to look at to begin with, but a puddle of slime really isn’t very attractive. I’m hoping to return to human form soon.”

Emmie metaphorically compares herself to a puddle of slime, drawing herself as such. This is how she introduces herself because, at this stage, Emmie has a completely negative view of her own personality and place in the world. Embarrassment feels like the end of the world because of her anxiety. At the same time, Emmie is able to joke about herself, which shows that she has resilience and a sense of humor about her problems.

“It’s all good, but what about books starring other kinds of kids? You know, the ones who aren’t exactly weird…or smart…or…well, this.”

Emmie’s story challenges stereotypical stories about kids in middle school, their personalities, and the conflicts they overcome. Emmie doesn’t feel like she fits into her peer group or into these stories; she is on the outside somewhere instead. In this way, Emmie’s story is more relatable because it features a protagonist that is more realistic and experiences common problems.

My mom says I was chattier when I was little, so my theories are:

a)  I got tired of trying to be heard over my sibs and clammed up, or…

b) Once they got older and busier, I didn’t have anyone to talk to except grown-ups. And who wants to talk to grown-ups?”

Emmie lists off the possible explanations for her quietness. In doing so, she demonstrates her own skills of self-reflection and admits that she does not necessarily know all the answers to her problems.