Invisible

Hautman, P. (2005). Invisible. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Doug Hanson is different from other seventeen-year-old boys. He is a quiet and smart introvert. He is viewed as an outcast by his peers and has only one friend. Ironically, his friend Andy is very popular and involved in many school extra-curricular activities. Growing up next door to each other, they had always been each other’s confidants. Doug has always loved trains and building models, but recently his love has become more of an obsession. Hours upon hours are spent in seclusion fine tuning every detail of his train, tracks and scenery. His parents are becoming increasing worried and think Doug is disturbed. At school, his status has gone from outcast to freak. Doug begins stalking a classmate and quits taking his medication prescribed by his psychiatrist. Through Doug’s eyes, the reader is given insight into his mind, and the true reason he has become disturbed is revealed. Andy had died in their tree house by a fire they had accidentally set years past. Doug had suppressed the memory, and when the memory resurfaces a Doug sets fire to his train set in the basement of his home. This book would be great for grade levels 7 and up. Based on this title, a recommended title to read next would be We Were Liars. The main characters share similar psychosis and the plots have similar twists and turns.