Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Things Not Seen. by Andrew Clements. Philomel Books, 2002. 251 pages.

Plot: Bobby Phillips is a normal fifteen year old boy living in Chicago. He doesn’t stand out in a crowd.  One fateful morning he experiences a life altering event that few have ever experienced. He gets up, goes into the bathroom, looks into the mirror and sees nothing.  Every other day of his life he has looked into the mirror and seen himself - today he sees nothing. Overnight he has become invisible.  Of course he is concerned, but he doesn’t panic.  He tell his parents. Of course they are concerned , but they don’t panic.  Bobby’s dad is a scientist and he tries to solve the mystery. His parents don’t want anyone to find out.  Bobby can go out undetected in the world, but he is naked!  He meets Alicia, a girl at the library, and is comfortable talking with her because she is blind.  They become close friends.  In the meantime Bobby’s parents have been in a car accident. They are fine, but the police have been notified that Booby hans’t been in school and they suspect the parents are criminally involved with Bobby’s disappearance.  Alicia works with Bobby and they are led to the corporate offices of Sears, the manufacturer of an electric blanket suspected as a reason for the invisibility. Police investigations, private investigations, mystery and solar eruptions all lead to an exciting conclusion.

Review/Personal thoughts:  Even though the premise of the story is not believable, the story flows as if it is totally believable.  All of the characters interact as if this is just a problem they need to solve. Bobby is the narrator of the story and is very likable. Themes explored are friendship, first romance, honesty and family. I especially like Alicia’s heartfelt letter to Bobby where she tenderly describes her hopelessness and finally self-realization through her relationship with Bobby.  This book was recommended to me by a tween and now I recommend it to you.

Genre: Fiction, Fantasy

Reading Level: 5.0 Interest level: Ages 10 to 15.