Things Not Seen

Reader reviewed by Amy Ward

This book is so original.  I never thought I could read a book about an invisible boy and take it seriously.  The issues though are so real (relationships, sense of self, the future, disabilities) that I completely believe this could happen.  The relationship that develops between Bobby and Alicia is realistic.   They fight and make fun of each other, all the while completely supporting each other.  The ending is very satisfying while keeping the integrity of the story.  The ending doesn't just shoot out of left field.  It feels completely natural.  I would definitely recommend this book.

Reader reviewed by Meghan W.

Bobby is just a normal kid... Until one day he wakes up and he's completely invisible. No one can see him. They can't tell anyone, because no one would believe his parents, and if they did, everyone would want to conduct experiments on him. And Bobby doesn't want to be poked and prodded.

Because of this problem, Bobby can't go to school. That's okay with him. His parents just call him in sick. But sitting at home all day is boring, so Bobby, against his parents' wishes, goes out during the day. But he can't wear clothes because they float and you don't see him. Floating clothes are sure to attract some attention anywhere.

One day Bobby, invisible to everyone, bumps into Alicia. Alicia is blind, and Bobby can't help but confide in her. Alicia's really smart, and tries to help Bobby figure out what made him turn invisible.

Meanwhile, the school is getting suspicious. And pretty soon, if they don't have proof that Bobby is okay, they are going to have to check in. Finding an empty room would be bad. Can Bobby and his new friend find out how to reverse it before it's too late?

This book is great. It's one of my favorites and I think everyone should read it.

Reader reviewed by MssJos

Bobby Phillips is a normal teenager. Neither popular nor unpopular in school, he argues with his parents, dislikes his private school, gets ignored by the popular girls. But Bobby Phillips has a problem. A big one. One morning after his shower Bobby notices something peculiar when looking in the mirror. Nothing. Bobby Phillips is now officially, literally, invisible.

This novel is great for many levels of readers. Even struggling readers can follow along and appreciate Bobby's dilemma as he tries to literally find himself. This is also a great young adult novel because it is told from a very believable perspective of a very likable teenage boy, a nice change from the novels typically told from a female point of view.

While Bobby struggles to figure out how to become visible, readers experience his anguish and frustration as he realizes it took becoming invisible to make people (specifically his busy career-driven parents) truly see him. Bobby befriends a girl with complete and total blindness named Alicia, who soon becomes his only confidente, helping readers to grasp the subtle hint that what's on the outside isn't always what's most recognizable.


Excerpt:
"I'm not assuming anything. I'm talking about experience. You can tell if someone thinks you're nothing. Like, just a few weeks ago, I'm walking towards this beautiful girl named Jessica in the hall, and I smile and look at her, and her face doesn't change, her eyes don't connect with me, nothing. It's like she looks right through me, like I'm not even there."

Alicia's eyebrows shoot up, "Hmmm...she looked right through you, eh? Like you weren't even there? Interesting way to describle your old life, don't you think?" (p.160-61)

Reader reviewed by BB

Things Not Seen is a great book by a great author. It is a great book for both genders. This boy wakes up, takes a shower like any other day. But when he wipes the steam off the shower he finds that he isn't ion the mirror. He realizes he is INVISIBLE! So he skips school and goes to the library trying to avoid contact of other people. He travels to the library. He finds what he needs and is on his when out when CRASH! He bumps into someone! Will this person find out that he is invisible? Will the person just go on by? Read the book Things Not seen to find out more! This is a great book. I recommend it highly.

Reader reviewed by Bren

This is a great book. It is so interesting and keeps you wanting to read. I liked how the book was some-what of a mystery and also talked about how Bobby & Alicia (a blind girl) had some sparks between them. Also, the book also has a good plot to it. One morning, Bobby wakes up to realize that he is invisible. He then is on a mission to find out what turned him invisible and how he can come back to normal. Read to find out! Definately a great read.

Reader reviewed by Dominique

What would you do if you woke up one day and found out that you were invisible? Being invisible can present a lot more problems than expected.
When Bobby wakes up one morning, he is body is completely invisible. His predicament presents many problems for his parents when others become curious about where Bobby has gone. After being in his house for a while, Bobby gets bored and ventures out. He goes to the library where he meets a blind girl. Later, the two of them become friends and work to find a way to make Bobby visible again. But they learn a shocking fact--there are other people that are invisible as well. How did this happen? Will Bobby and his friends and family solve this problem? Will Bobby and the other people who have turned invisible ever be visible again? Read the book to find out!