The Invisible by Tom Percival

"A tender, important story about really seeing those around us - and how we all have a right to belong."

Isabel and her family move to another part of the city. Her parents have not been able to pay their bills or rent. The book does not use these words but it is clear they have been forced into social housing. The tall apartment towers look dreadful. This part of the city is bleak and cold and unfriendly. 

Gradually Isabel becomes invisible but as she becomes invisible she notices the other invisible people around her - the homeless; the elderly; the disabled; and the newly arrived migrants.

Isabel is a girl of action. She stops to help an elderly lady plant flowers in a old food tins; she talks to the young immigrant boy who is repairing a bike; and with her family she organises to paint some of the dull walls in the local streets.

This is such a simple book on a complex topic which would be absolutely perfect to share with young children aged 6+. I am certain you will see this book listed for UK awards over the coming months. I am pleased that I have discovered this book which was published in February and the paperback edition will arrive in July, 2021. I highly recommend this as an essential purchase for all Primary school libraries. With an older group of students it would be interesting to spend some time talking about the title and what it implies. Notice the word "the". Yes Isabel becomes invisible but what about the others in our community?  Here is an extended and heart-felt review. You can see the whole book here.

We could all do with being more like Isobel. The Book Bag

Compassionate, thoughtful, and a lovely story to read aloud together. Book Trust

As companion reads I would look for these

I saw Pete and Pete saw me

It's a no money day

The Secret Sky Garden

The Old Man

At the back of The Invisible, Tom Percival talks about the poverty of his own childhood. His family lived in a small caravan with no electricity or running water for six years. 

"However, despite our lack of money, despite the jumble sale clothes and hand-me-down shoes there were two things I had plenty of - love and books."  "There are around four million children living in poverty in the UK ... these children are ignored, which is why I wanted to explore the idea of invisibility in this story."

Take a look at my reviews of other books by Tom Percival:

The Sea Saw

Herman's Holiday

Herman's letter