 |
Reviewed by: Emily McFarlane, Elementary School Librarian Title: Invisible Author: Christina Diaz Gonzalez Illustrator: Gabriela Epstein Publisher: Graphix
Year: 2022 Good for Grades: 4-8 Genre/Type of Book: Realistic Fiction/Graphic Novel
Content Warnings, or things that other School Librarians should be aware of: Bullying, homelessness, harsh treatment from a teacher, prejudice Recommended for a school library: Yes Reason(s) for choosing the book: Present at the school book fair, avid graphic novel reader If you were tasked by the publisher with writing a short quote for the back cover of this book, what would it be:
|
Review:
This story opens with a framing device that sets up a lot of tension right away. All five main characters are in the principal's office being questioned and they aren't being told why. They start telling the events of about a month ago...
George is a Puerto-Rican American student who really wants to go to a prestigious high school. In order to do so, he needs to complete community service hours and get a recommendation letter from his principal. He gets assigned to do cafeteria duty with "people like him." When he gets there, it turns out he's working with the other bi-lingual/Spanish-speaking students and has been assigned the role of translator, even though he doesn't speak as much Spanish as the others. Everyone sees them the same though: the Spanish-speaking kids. This leads to a lot of friction between the kids at first, especially as they struggle to work under the cranky head Cafeteria lady, Mrs. Grouser. As each character shares their side of the story, their friendship and cooperation grows. While doing community service, they work to help someone in need without hurting them. Can they help themselves be seen as more than just the "five Spanish-speaking kids" along the way? Or will remaining invisible be the only way to keep their own secrets safe?
This story launched right into a high tension situation that had me hooked. I NEEDED to know what was going on and why these kids were being questioned. I also needed to know how their stories turned out. George is struggling with having moved out of the district and worries that the school will find out and kick him out. Dayara is struggling with a learning disability and struggles to read in English. Nico may be rich, but he has very few friends and his family may be in danger. Miguel wants desperately to be an artist, but his father wants him to be a baseball player. And Sara misses her home and her family. She hardly speaks to anyone, and struggles to be noticed. With all of these secrets, it's hard for them to show their true selves, even to each other. There are a lot of themes about secrets, being open with each other, helping one another, and being seen for who you really are.
Being a graphic novel, this book would be amazing for struggling readers and ENL students. It is also highly bilingual, with much of the dialogue being written in Spanish AND English! This would help kids who are fluent in one, the other, or both to comprehend and learn. Plus, the visual medium tells a lot of the story. The characters have such distinct looks and personalities, it really helps to fight against the "cultural monolith" stereotype, which is challenged in the first few pages. These characters leap off the pages.
This book would also be wonderful for SEL lessons surrounding diversity, equity, and inclusion as it hits on a lot of topics including immigration, separated families, homelessness, financial inequalities, bullying, learning disabilities, and more. None of it felt rushed or squished in. It was all part of each character's story, told from their perspective. Then, they folded into each other throughout as each character's arc overlapped with the others. I wish I'd had this ready for Hispanic Heritage month!
Number of party hats:
Find this video and other resources for Invisible at Teachingbooks.net
For more information about this book, see the Publishers Website
Find this ebook in the Monroe One BOCES SORA Collection
Check out this title in the Monroe 2 Sora Collection: