Invisible by Eloy Moreno

I've had today's read on my stack just waiting to be grabbed up...and wow, have my fingers been itching, too. But I don't play favorites, so it had to wait. That means I'm super excited to, finally, have the chance and dive in. Originally, this was published in Spanish but has reached the English market with power...as I understand. It is a serious read and hits on the theme of feeling invisible. From what I understand, this one will twist the gut hard and leave more than a little food for thought.

So, let's dive in and see how it goes.

INVISIBLE

by Eloy Moreno

Sourcebooks Young Readers

Tween Contemporary

336 pages

ages 10 to 13

When a thirteen-year-old boy is bullied at school, he discovers an ability to turn "invisible." An emotional and compelling portrayal of bullying and mental health, perfect for fans of RJ Palacio's Wonder.

"...I decided to find a new power, one so great they wouldn't be able to hurt me at all. And I finally found it."

"Which power was that?"

"I have the power to make myself invisible."

A boy wakes up in a hospital room with no memory of how he got there.

As time passes, the pieces of what happened that fateful day start falling into place, and the boy remembers his secret: he has the power to become invisible.

But the boy is hesitant to tell anyone the truth. What will they think of him if they find out the reason he gained this ability? And what if it makes everything worse?

Told in alternating perspectives following the boy, his friends, his parents, his teacher, as well as his bully, the events of that day are slowly revealed through flashbacks. A heart wrenching and powerful read for anyone who has ever felt "invisible."

GOODREADS     /       PUBLISHER       /       AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

There are books, which are written for young readers but, actually, leave real food-for-thought for all ages. This is one of those.

A boy wakes up in the hospital in pain but unable to remember exactly what happened. His parents take turns staying with him, and a couple of friends visit as well While most of his memory remains, he can't seem to remember anything about the accident. Worse yet, he realizes that he's lost his superpowers, especially that of being invisible. These were the only defenses he had against the drastic bullying he faced. When his parents introduce a new doctor, he decides to open up and the truth is harsher than anyone expected.

The author hits the gut by taking the usual, sugar-sweetness of imagination and twisting it into a last defense system for a boy in a very tragic situation. This boy is bullied hard, not just at school, but the band of kids manages to take it to other parts of his life. Although the boy seems to have a couple of friends, none really provide help. The boy's feeling of isolation pierces readers, especially since everyone has felt this way to a certain extent at one time or another. The boy translates all of this into monsters, which constantly follow and haunt him...and this sets off the light coating of bittersweet sadness as he develops so-called superpowers to offer a last chance of defense. While all of this is already enough to hit hard, the author then weaves the tale from different points of view and makes each character human and lays their thoughts and reasonings bare. Even that of the bully. These switches in POV are always clear, keeping confusion at bay to make the story and situations bring a realistic weight...and that is not easily forgotten.

While I haven't read this in Spanish, the English translation flows very well. While, sometimes, it's almost lyrical, others, the text punches, quick and short. The insights from the other characters dance and step in between with exactly what is needed to make the meaning sit. So, it's a delight to read from the literature side of things. As to the book in total...it's not a light read and destroys any sense of fuzzy feelings. It lets the boy's pain come across clearly and sticks with the reader long after the book is laid down.

This is the type of book, which classrooms and homeschoolers are going to want to take a peek at. There is a study guide available, which helps teachers or groups steer through this book with some questions, discussions, activities, role plays, and more. Of course, this won't be for every reader due to the depth and direction, but for those wanting to dive in, it's well worth the read.

You can learn more about Eloy Moreno...

Instagram: @eloymorenoescritor

 https://www.eloymoreno.com

Invisible: Max Wheeler's Guide to (NOT) Fitting In by Ryan Andreassen

Today's read is one that I'm, at first glance, on the fence about. It's no secret that I'm very cautious when it comes to reads with message about social issues...as in that's their complete purpose of being written. I tend to be super critical of these reads, especially when it hits areas such as neuro-divergency. My circle is packed with individuals in this area, so my scrutiny level is very high. Now, there are very good reads out there, and that's why I take a peek when I think one might win me over. So, why did I grab this one up? Well... ready for depth?????

The cover. Yep, that's it. And that's why I'm on the fence because I'm well aware that a cover doesn't necessarily mean anything, but there's just a nice sense of playfulness in this one to make me wonder if it does stay true to the intended audience and doesn't weigh down.

I guess it's time to find out if it's worth my gamble on this one or not.

*******

And before I forget, it's Monday! That means there is tons of middle grade goodness over at the MMGM (Marvelous Middle Grade Monday) over HERE. Knowers and lovers of literature for this age group recommend all sorts of tales to dive into. So, if you're into middle grade literature, you're going to want to head over there and take a peek.

INVISIBLE:

Max Wheeler's Guide to (NOT) Fitting In 

by Ryan Andreassen

Salt & Light

Middle Grade Contemporary

178 pages

ages 7 and up

"So here’s the thing about brains- they’re all weird. Seriously. But some brains are weird in ways everyone understands, and some brains are weird in ways that make people look at you funny. Guess which kind I have?" – Max Wheeler

Invisible is a laugh-out-loud, deeply heartfelt middle-grade novel about being different, being seen, and finding the people who see you for who you truly are.

Max Wheeler’s brain is like a spaceship- sometimes launching into hyperfocus at lightspeed, other times spinning out in a cosmic storm of distractions. With ADHD, dyslexia, and sensory processing differences, middle school feels like a daily mission through unexpected noise, confusing social codes, and cafeteria smells that seem like they came from another galaxy. Thankfully, Max has Cosmo—his support dog and steady companion.

His latest plan? Operation Normal A foolproof strategy to blend in and avoid standing out. it fails. Spectacularly.

When Max gets partnered with the ultra-organized, hyper-focused Amelia Lin for a major science project, he's sure they'll be a disaster together. Amelia has every step of her life planned out, and Max... well, Max once got distracted mid-sentence and forgot what he was talking about. But as they build a project around space and craters, Max realizes that maybe the key to surviving middle school isn't becoming someone else- it's finding the right people who like you just as you are. "Maybe being invisible isn't the problem. Maybe I just need to be visible to the right people."

Full of humor, heart, and unforgettable characters, this book is perfect for fans of Wonder, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Counting by 7s, and The Miscalculations of Lightning Girl. It's a story about friendship, self-acceptance, and the unexpected ways we discover where we belong.

GOODREADS    /     AMAZON    /     B&N

MY TIDBITS

Max's determination to improve his social status slides in unexpected directions to increase awareness while putting a smile on the face.

Max has ADHD, dyslexia and sensory processing challenges...which means that life in school isn't always easy. But Max is on a mission to make himself more 'normal', which means figuring out what normal kids do, like, and talk about. Even with carefully laid out plans, nothing runs as planned, and he's about to give up...until he is partnered with the smartest girl in the class for a science project. Of course, he's well aware that this is destined to become a complete disaster despite his huge interest and knowledge in all things space. If he worked alone, he'd easily impress the teacher, but with a partner, he's pretty sure he's doomed. 

The first pages allow Max time to introduce himself and, especially, stress his special challenges. Even with the toss in of lists and various fonts/media fun, it almost became too much and concentrated on that front...but then, the tale shifts as a very entertaining and grabbing story unfolds. 

Max is a guy to like. He's well aware of who he is, how others see him, and what situations are most difficult to deal with. But for all of this self-awareness, he still can't manage to behave in a way to make him 'fit in'. This might seem like very usual set-up (and it is), but Max is a determined guy. Readers will have no trouble identifying with his well-planned missions to fit in and laugh as well as groan as one after the other falls apart in surprising ways. It's bitter sweet and lets lightness and humor coat the serious undertones without cheapening them. But this isn't the whole story...and that's great! Max has to work with the smart girl of the class, and she's quite the enjoyable character to get behind thanks to her very own, distinct quirks. The interactions between them are natural, adorable, funny, and hold just enough tension to make a reader wonder how in the world it will work out. The whole time, Max's thoughts and remarks (and lists and more) lead to awkward reality in the best ways.

The various challenges Max and others have in this book do help readers become more aware of such situations and open up a big door to better understanding. Especially since Max is, actually, very easy to connect with and understand. It doesn't shove everything into boxes, which I appreciate, but rather, lets the vastness flow in a very easy way for even 'normal' kids to identify with on some level.

Mostly, it's a fun read. Max carries tons of personality and is a character to root for the entire way through.