Things Not Seen - Andrew Clements

Invisibility is not all it's cracked up to be.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
4
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Andrew Clements
  • # of pages: 251
  • Publisher:Penguin Putnam Inc.
  • Original Publication Date: 04/03/2005
  • Genre: Fiction - Science Fiction
  • Hardcover: $15.99
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 10 up
  • Read Aloud: 10+
  • Read Alone: 10+

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that although the 15-year-old protagonist's overnight invisibility seems wildly implausible, there are many positive messages young readers can glean from his experiences. Even though his parents are all-too-eager to hide the truth about what happened to him from the world, Bobby bravely stands his ground and demands to be "seen." He proves himself a positive role model with real guts.

Families can talk about how Bobby's invisibility, which at first glance seems like it would be a great thing, turns out to be a real problem. How would you deal with being invisible? What kinds of things would you do if you knew nobody could see you? Have you ever felt "invisible," figuratively speaking? If so, why? And what did you do about it?

Message

Social Behavior:

Consumerism:

Several products and stores mentioned.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

A minor character is described as having taken drugs.

Violence

Sex

Whenever Bobby goes out he must take off his clothes to keep from being seen.

Language

The mother is described as swearing, initials but no actual words are written.

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Amy Brotman

Bobby is frustrated by his parents, like most teens, and feels invisible in school. But when he wakes up one morning he discovers he really is invisible. Unlike most kids in books, the first thing Bobby does is tell his parents, and he quickly discovers being invisible isn't as much fun as you might think. Bobby becomes a prisoner in his own house -- in midwinter Chicago going around without clothes isn't too much fun, and clothes walking around without a person inside them draws unwanted attention.

Things get even more difficult when his parents are in a car accident and hospitalized for several days, leaving Bobby on his own. But in this day and age a boy can't just disappear without first his school and then Child Protection and the police getting involved, suspecting that he has been the victim of foul play. So Bobby must find a way to become visible again before his parents are arrested.

Is it any good?

4

Lest anyone accuse him of falling into a rut with his middle grade school stories, Andrew Clements (author of Frindle, among others) has written a YA novel with a science-fiction twist that has little to do with school. Clements pursues his premise logically. What would the real-life consequences be in this unreal situation?

Unlike other invisibility stories. Bobby neither enjoys his predicament, nor does he use it for any questionable purposes. He just wants his life, such as it was, back. This doesn't have the joyous, grinning-all-the-way-through, everything-happens-as-it-should feeling of his middle grade books. But fans who have graduated from Clements' earlier books will find he hasn't lost his talent for a gripping story with a satisfying ending.

From the Book:
"... David, do something! Let's ... let's call Dr. Weston -- or someone else, a ... a specialist."

So I'm thinking, Oh, great. Yeah, let's call one of those Invisible Teenager Specialists. I'll get the Yellow Pages..

Other choices

Other Books by Andrew Clements
Frindle
The Landry News
The School Story
The Janitor's Boy
The Jacket
A Week in the Woods
The Report Card
The Last Holiday Concert

Invisibility
Up from Jericho Tel by E.L. Konigsburg
The Enchanted Castle by E. Nesbit
Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements
The Schwa was Here by Neal Shusterman

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 52 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/16/08 by sportsdiva321 Kid contributor, age 14

YES! YES! YES!

When I first got this book and read the back i was not that enthusiastic about reading it. But now it is the night after I finished the book and I am devestated! I loved that book so stinking much! I love Bobby's sarcastic remarks, and the humor and romanc to the story. I'm hoping A.C. will make a sequil to it because I want more! This is a great book for teens.
Age 8+
3

Posted on 07/01/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

IDK

i didnt finish reading da D**n book yet
Age 11+
0


Posted on 06/28/08 by Ms. Di Adult contributor

YUK!!!!

An Electric Blanket! What! I couldn't get passed the science to even enjoy the relationships in this story. This book was one of the worst children's book I've read in a long time. Sad, Sad because A.C. is one of my very favorite authors. I use many of his books in my class room. This one I actually threw out!
5


Posted on 05/30/08 by gaby344 Kid contributor, age 14

Best Book Ever

The book is very funny because of Bobby's sarcastic remarks. He does become invisible. He can be harsh sometimes when he doesn't get what he wants. I would reccomend this book to all teenagers. There is humor, little romance, agnst, horror, spirituality, and sadness. I felt like I couldn't stop reading the book. This book has a situaion that interests me a lot. I feel like I want to read the book again.
0


Posted on 05/30/08 by brianclarke Kid contributor, age 14

Don`t read this book for kids!

I won`t recommend it for kids because it will gives them ideas about stealing inforamation from places.
0


Posted on 05/30/08 by joesecleter Kid contributor, age 14

i lost twenty five brain cells reading this book now im stuped

ok it was an ok book. i dont recomend this book for kids under the age of 12 because if your dumb you wont get the ending..i mean im 14 and i dont even get the ending =/ soo ya, anyways this book was kinda boring made me want to barf at the end.
5


Posted on 05/30/08 by kikyo366 Kid contributor, age 15

I think that this was one of the best book i read in a long time. usually i have trouble picking up a book and reading it, because i am very picky about the books i read. Though i had no problem picking up the book "things not seen" by Andrew Clements,i thiink this is a great book for teenagers not so much for adults. It has a great story plot and a wonderful ending and i just love bobby's and alica's sarcasm throughout the book. I definitly recommend it to anyone that loves mystery's and real life problems that a teenager faces everyday. :)
4

Posted on 05/30/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

This book is fun and good to read

I think this book is good to read because, it is funny and understanding. Bobby will make you laugh in this book comedy. This book is very romantic too. Things not seen is the best book i ever read.
5


Posted on 04/18/08 by lily121 Kid contributor, age 15

A must read for EVERYONE...

This book is my favorite, bar none. The openly spelled-out message was fantastic. Andrew Clements keeps you enthralled all the way through. He writes beautifully, while keeping very current and modern. He creates realistic characters and carries them well. He remains constant in their own unique personalities. Bobby and Alicia are a pair of memorable characters that have an interesting relationship. They have undeniable chemistry, even when they are angry, if not at each other, at the world. I first read this book when I was 8 or 9 so,I think, any child can read this book and absolutely love it, like me.
5

Posted on 04/05/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

See all 52 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 8 reviews.

Age 8+
3

Posted on 07/01/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

IDK

i didnt finish reading da D**n book yet
Age 11+
0


Posted on 06/28/08 by Ms. Di Adult contributor

YUK!!!!

An Electric Blanket! What! I couldn't get passed the science to even enjoy the relationships in this story. This book was one of the worst children's book I've read in a long time. Sad, Sad because A.C. is one of my very favorite authors. I use many of his books in my class room. This one I actually threw out!
Age 11+
5


Posted on 11/23/07 by Dont.judge.a.book.by.its.cover Adult contributor

Fantastic!

This is great story of sudden teenage invisibility..literally. Fifteen year old Bobby wakes up one morning to find he has become invisible, and the main plot-line is trying to figure out the reason behind it. He befriends a blind girl and together, they eventually solve the mystery. Sure, he may walk around naked, but that's the point! He's invisible! Why would it matter? It's not an promotion for everyone to go about town in that manner. It just helps him cause a little less disruption than being an invisible figure in clothing. Definitely a good read! Two thumbs up!
Age 17+
0

Posted on 09/25/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

COULNT BELEIVE MY EARS!!!!!!!

THIS BOOK IS INAPPROPRIATE, HE WALKS AROUND NAKED THE WHOLE BOOK. READ SOMETHING ELSE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Age 11+
4

Posted on 08/15/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

awsome!!!!!!

This was one of the best books i have read in a long time.
Age 11+
5

Posted on 02/16/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

I LOVED THIS BOOK

I am 11 years old. (on my mom's account with permission)I absolutly loved this book! I am going to re-read it soon. It is one of my favorite books. Appropriate for kids my age:Y
Age 11+
4

Posted on 12/20/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Age 11+
4


Posted on 12/07/06 by Babyboy78 Adult contributor

See all 8 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 44 reviews.

5


Posted on 11/16/08 by sportsdiva321 Kid contributor, age 14

YES! YES! YES!

When I first got this book and read the back i was not that enthusiastic about reading it. But now it is the night after I finished the book and I am devestated! I loved that book so stinking much! I love Bobby's sarcastic remarks, and the humor and romanc to the story. I'm hoping A.C. will make a sequil to it because I want more! This is a great book for teens.
5


Posted on 05/30/08 by gaby344 Kid contributor, age 14

Best Book Ever

The book is very funny because of Bobby's sarcastic remarks. He does become invisible. He can be harsh sometimes when he doesn't get what he wants. I would reccomend this book to all teenagers. There is humor, little romance, agnst, horror, spirituality, and sadness. I felt like I couldn't stop reading the book. This book has a situaion that interests me a lot. I feel like I want to read the book again.
0


Posted on 05/30/08 by brianclarke Kid contributor, age 14

Don`t read this book for kids!

I won`t recommend it for kids because it will gives them ideas about stealing inforamation from places.
0


Posted on 05/30/08 by joesecleter Kid contributor, age 14

i lost twenty five brain cells reading this book now im stuped

ok it was an ok book. i dont recomend this book for kids under the age of 12 because if your dumb you wont get the ending..i mean im 14 and i dont even get the ending =/ soo ya, anyways this book was kinda boring made me want to barf at the end.
5


Posted on 05/30/08 by kikyo366 Kid contributor, age 15

I think that this was one of the best book i read in a long time. usually i have trouble picking up a book and reading it, because i am very picky about the books i read. Though i had no problem picking up the book "things not seen" by Andrew Clements,i thiink this is a great book for teenagers not so much for adults. It has a great story plot and a wonderful ending and i just love bobby's and alica's sarcasm throughout the book. I definitly recommend it to anyone that loves mystery's and real life problems that a teenager faces everyday. :)
4

Posted on 05/30/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15

This book is fun and good to read

I think this book is good to read because, it is funny and understanding. Bobby will make you laugh in this book comedy. This book is very romantic too. Things not seen is the best book i ever read.
5


Posted on 04/18/08 by lily121 Kid contributor, age 15

A must read for EVERYONE...

This book is my favorite, bar none. The openly spelled-out message was fantastic. Andrew Clements keeps you enthralled all the way through. He writes beautifully, while keeping very current and modern. He creates realistic characters and carries them well. He remains constant in their own unique personalities. Bobby and Alicia are a pair of memorable characters that have an interesting relationship. They have undeniable chemistry, even when they are angry, if not at each other, at the world. I first read this book when I was 8 or 9 so,I think, any child can read this book and absolutely love it, like me.
5

Posted on 04/05/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12

1


Posted on 03/19/08 by rosegurl772 Kid contributor, age 13

5


Posted on 02/23/08 by ladii.bubblezz Kid contributor, age 13

A Must Read Book for everyone

I absolutely loved this book. The message is very clear. This book made me cry because of all the dialogue that there is. it is also very funny when the main character talks to himself and comments on the grown-ups. the most important thing in the book is that it shows you the problems of adults through the eyes of kids. this is very important because you really get to see how a child might feel going through these type of circumstances. i recommend this book to everyone out there. it is a good book to read.
See all 44 kids reviews >
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