About This Book
Things Not Seen is a captivating science fiction novel for middle grade and early high school readers about Robert 'Bobby' Phillips, who mysteriously wakes up invisible one day. Forced to conceal his condition from the world, Bobby finds solace and connection with Alicia, a blind girl who 'sees' him in a way others cannot. Together, they embark on a journey to understand and reverse his invisibility, facing challenges from concerned social workers to the mystery of a defective electric blanket. This book beautifully explores themes of identity, perception, friendship, and first love, making it an excellent choice for discussions on empathy and what it means to truly be seen.
A novel for secondary school English classes with great writing and important themes.
Concepts
peril_danger
separation_from_parent
Discussion Prompts
1
If you suddenly became invisible, what would be the first thing you would do, and why?
2
How does Alicia's blindness change her perception of Bobby's invisibility? What does this teach us about different ways of 'seeing' people?
3
Bobby's parents tell him to stay home, but he leaves. What are the consequences of his decision, and do you think he made the right choice?
4
The book's title is inspired by a Bible verse about faith. How does faith, in a broad sense, play a role in Bobby and Alicia's story?
5
What does this book say about the importance of inner qualities versus outward appearance?
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