What is INVISIBLE about?
A 13 year old boy becomes the target of a classroom bully with a focussed barrage of intimidation and fear tactics, building quickly to exclusion and a terrible choice. Told in multiple points of view from the bullied boy, his friends, one of his teachers and the bully himself.
The constant bullying causes the boy to believe he has special powers to avoid his tormentors, not realising the truth – which is even worse than the bullying itself.
Plot summary of INVISIBLE (No Spoilers)
A boy wakes in a hospital, not sure at first why he is there. His parents take turns to be with him day and night, and friends and kids from his school visit him. He has been in pain, and is only sleeping 3-4 hrs at a time, but is healing. Something he’s disappointed about is the fact he can no longer turn invisible.
He’d mastered the skill, along with other superpowers like speed and an impenetrable shell over the past several weeks. These powers had helped him against a bully in his class everyone called MM. MM also had buddies who helped with the bullying in and out of school.
The boy had two very close friends, one of which he would’ve liked to get closer to, but she didn’t seem to want the same thing, and then didn’t seem to want to help him either.
When his parents tell him another type of doctor is coming, he finally reveals all that has happened, how he became a wasp, and then became INVISIBLE.
Review
Thanks to Source Books & Net Galley for the opportunity to read this novel (on a device).
With tears, my gut swirling and my head shaking at the injustice, I jumped online to find anything else by this Spanish Author I had never come across before. I couldn’t find any other books for children or young adults by Eloy Moreno in English anywhere.
The next day I promptly went out and bought a paperback version of INVISIBLE (Released in NZ/Aust 4/8/26) – and read it again. It hit just as hard the 2nd time.
For me, this book is a little bit Wonder (RJ Palacio), a smidgen of The Wrong Shoes (Tom Percival) and a pinch of A Monster Calls (Patrick Ness).
The style of the storytelling is so captivating, and the story gut punching and compelling at the same time, because it is so real.
INVISIBLE not only portrays a victim and a bully’s pain, but made me wonder about all the ‘monsters’ – those who looked away. They were adults, classmates and even friends, but one teacher’s clever ways to make them see this, is inspiring.
Hands down – THE BEST BOOK I’VE READ IN 2026. With over a million copies sold, in 60 editions, in 30 languages around the world, this will make a powerful read aloud in New Zealand and Australian schools too.
Find a copy here
Book Style
323 pages / Short chapters / 5 Parts / Multiple Points of view
FAQ’s
What age is it for?
10 – 16 (But really…. everybody should read this book)
Where & When is it set?
A modern school and hospital – Easily recognisable by readers whether they live in NZ, Australia, UK, US, or Europe.
What is the Point of View / Tense of the novel?
The main character is mostly in 1st person/ Other key characters are in third person / Mostly in present tense
What genre is INVISIBLE?
High Middle Grade / Young Adult Crossover
Themes
Bullying / School / Family / Isolation Trauma / Lack of consequences / Our own responsibilities
Is it part of a series?
No
If you liked this, you might like:
Find more books about Bullies here
Author
Eloy Moreno
Publisher
2018 (Spanish), 2026 (English), Source Books USA, Bullying, Bullies, Betrayal, Guilt, Shame, Responsibility, Fear, Exclusion, School, Friendship, A Caring Teacher, Choices, Family, Growing up, Peer Pressure, Real Life, School, Secret)