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Things Not Seen
- By Andrew Clements
- Genre: Science Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Invisibility isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What 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.
What's the story?
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
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!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
The best book
It's the best thing I ever read, I think that you can learn how is important to appreciate every second of your life and how a part of the book sais: Not only look at the mirror to remember how you are and that's all. Just.. make me cry.
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AGE
Perfect For Tweens
THis book tells the story of an 'invisable' boy who meets someone with an 'invisable' world. Together Bobby and Alicia cope with the blankness of the cr@ap and mysteries in life. And with hope and re-newed confidence they find a cure.
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AGE
Really, really good.
This is by far the best book I have ever read. I stayed up all night reading it. The idea of invisibility seems really cool as a superpower, but if it's thrust upon you like in this book, it's not that great after all. I recommend it for anyone who likes to read, and I think it would be a good book for required school reading.
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AGE
Cool story!
This is a wonderful novel about a kid who becomes invisible and must overcome himself and get to know a beautiful blind girl. I highly recommend it!
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AGE
Try it out!
As a person I didn't really care for the book. I thought that he told us he was invisable too many times, but I laughed so hard sometimes it felt that my sides split open. I got through it pretty easy and most of my friends like it. So give it a try because even if you don't like the story line it's really funny. Take my word (or words) for it!
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AGE
Great Book!
i read this book for summer reading, and i loved it! it taught me that, even though in the novel bobby was physically invisble, there are real teenagers out in the world that are truly forgotten and ignored. Bobby was a like-able character young children can easily look up to,
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AGE
Great! A must-read for Mystery and Romance fans ages 10+!!
I loved this book. It was tottaly amazing. Although, there was mild curses and Bobby walks around naked, but I can understand that because he is invisible. I dont realy care, but I though I'd let curious parents know the down sides to the book. Anyway, throughout the book, I can feel a bond between me and the chararacters. A.C makes the characters in his stories so real, you can connect with them so much. It's a very good book if you're looking for humor, mystery, fiction, or romance books. It makes you wanting to keep reading more and more. Try and put this down once you start reading. I dare you. I read this is 2 days. =) ENJOY THE BOOK!
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AGE
perfect for 10 and up though a few 8 and 9 year olds(mature and good readders) may also read it.
i loved the book soooooo much!!!
It is super interesting. its soo good I am reading it a third time though i have not forgotten anything about the book.
I first read it in 5 th grade.
I give it 5 stars READ it!!!!
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| Author: | Andrew Clements |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Science Fiction |
| Publisher: | Penguin Group |
| Publication date: | April 3, 2005 |
| Number of pages: | 251 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 10 - 14 |
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