Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Kind tale of empathy shows how to reach out to left-out kid.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 6+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
Brian feels invisible. He's ignored by his classmates and even overlooked by his teacher. When a new student named Justin arrives, some of the kids poke fun at his lunch. Brian, who loves to draw when he's alone, leaves a picture in Justin's backpack with a note: "I thought the bulgogi looked good." Later, when it's time to pick partners in class, Brian again is shunted aside. Emilio chooses Justin, but then Justin suggests adding Brian to form a three-person team. At lunch, Justin calls Brian to join him at a table, with a welcoming nod from Emilio. Sharing cookies with Justin, Brian feels like he might not be invisible after all.
Is It Any Good?
With THE INVISIBLE BOY, author Trudy Ludwig taps into the everyday insecurities and agonies of elementary school without making anyone a villain. Patrice Barton's illustrations show similar empathy: Her depiction of a room of children sizing up the new kid is painfully on-target. She cleverly introduces Brian, the invisible boy, in shades of white and gray. As Justin starts to draw him into his social circle, the first blush of color tints his cheeks. By the story's end, Brian shares the same soft hues as his classmates.
Ludwig's message is neither strident nor cloying. Brian gets Justin's attention only by reaching out to him, and Justin helps open doors for Brian through small, thoughtful gestures. The discussion questions at the book's end are a terrific guide for parents and teachers, and the author's website has links to more resources.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how it takes someone else outside the group to pull Brian in. Why do people sometimes act callously when they're part of a group?
Have you ever felt excluded?
How could you help someone who might feel invisible?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Patrice Barton
- Genre : Friendship
- Topics : Friendship
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Random House Children's Books
- Publication date : October 8, 2013
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 6 - 9
- Number of pages : 40
- Available on : Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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