Two Choices, Two Storylines: Read Our Review of Surprisingly Sarah by Terri Libenson

Secrets. Surprises. MIDDLE SCHOOL.

Sarah and Leo have been BFFs since they were little. They share everything… until Sarah starts crushing on Leo’s friend Ben. Then one day Sarah is suddenly faced with a big choice: ask Ben to the school dance, OR chicken out.

Terri Libenson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Emmie & Friends series and the cartoonist of the award-winning syndicated comic strip The Pajama Diaries. Surprisingly Sarah is Libenson’s seventh and latest addition to the Emmie & Friends series.

Graphic novels are very popular among BR Kids readers; they enjoy the seamless storytelling and conversational tone that accompanies the format. In Surprisingly Sarah, there’s a fun kind of choose-your-own adventure twist that’s sure to keep reluctant readers engaged. Two choices, two storylines—one surprise ending! It’s a unique way of telling the story, and a fun way to elevate this series.

I absolutely loved this! While you’d think the two storylines unfolding separately, but side by side, might get confusing, Libenson does this seamlessly. The parallel stories follow Sarah and Leo, best friends who are navigating the dynamic of their friendship shifting as they transition to middle school.

On the surface, this is about seeing two versions of the same story play out: one where Sarah asks her crush, Ben, to the dance, and one where she doesn’t. But on a deeper level, this is a tale that explores changing friendships, first crushes, middle school drama, and complex family dynamics – including privilege and single parenthood.

In true Emmie & Friends style, this is a fun and lighthearted story. You’ll constantly ask the questions: ‘Will they? Won’t they?’, with Libenson’s conversational tone and diary-like entries – Sarah’s inner thoughts remind me of the cartoon subconscious of Lizzie McGuire. Yet this story also touches on important issues and conversations surrounding consent, honesty and staying to true to your feelings.

Don’t fret if you haven’t read the rest of the books in the Emmie & Friends series, because, like the other six books in the series, Surprisingly Sarah can be read as a standalone. This seventh book might just be my favourite yet, and I can’t wait to see what Libeson has in store next for this series.

Buy a copy of Surprisingly Sarah here.