Rating: 2 out of 5 (It’s Okay. Some good qualities but mostly negative.)
Marcus Sedgwick, 2014 Printz Award recipient for Midwinter Blood, is back with his latest offering She Is Not Invisible. The story is told from a blind girl’s point of view and her search for her lost father following a series of clues and events. When I read the synopsis, I was intrigued by the mystery and possible fantasy elements. However, after reading I am left wanting more. I wouldn’t recommend this to most people unless you are a fan of Sedgwick’s.
The Skinny
Sixteen-year old Laureth has a talent finding patterns with numbers. Her seven-year old brother Benjamin can render electronic devices useless with his touch. Their father is working on a book about coincidences which has consumed his life for the past seven years making life difficult for the family of four. While on reconnaissance for his book in Sweden, Laureth receives an email from someone in New York City explaining they found her father’s research notebook. She is convinced her father is missing and tries to get her mother to listen without success. Laureth secretly books a plane ticket for her and Benjamin from England to New York City in order to find answers with the key being her father’s notebook. In order for any of this to work, Ben needs to be her eyes on this dangerous journey. Promising story right?
My Thoughts: Like opening a present only to find nothing in it…
Intriguing premise, but disappointing end
This story has great potential, but fell flat at the end. Characters, Laureth and Ben, make this book somewhat enjoyable. Laureth is a brave, passionate, and smart young lady who is admirable in her pursuit of her father. She must overcome her blindness in order to solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance and rely on her intelligence and resourcefulness. For seven-years old, Ben is extremely mature for his age. Not only does Laureth take care of Ben but the roles are reversed as well. Without Ben, Laureth would be helpless. Ben cares for his big sister physically, but emotionally as well. I also really liked the solving clues aspect of the story. Sedgwick leads the reader through some well thought out mysterious events that had me problem solving right along with Laureth. Unraveling the mystery and figuring out who, what, where, when, and why is a high point reading this book.
I gave this book a 2 because the plot is too thin. The book is 146 pages and way too short to fully develop a complex and flushed out story with this premise. The story has great potential, but there isn’t enough substance to make this a great book. After reading, I felt like I only skimmed the book. I had trouble recounting details to even write this review because it lacked depth. Some parts of the story were distracting and lead to nowhere making me feel mislead at the end. The end is uneventful and unsatisfying and nothing like I hoped. I probably would not recommend this book to most readers.
The Golden State Jersey Girl 