THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE by Liz Gallagher

June 7, 2010 Jason 5 flames, Liz Gallagher, Randomhouse 1

THE OPPOSITE OF INVISIBLE

Source: Public Library

Reading level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 160 pages
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books (January 8, 2008)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0375841520
ISBN-13: 978-0375841521

SYNOPSIS:

Alice and Jewel have been best friends since grade school. Together, they don’t need anyone else, and together they blend into the background of high school. Invisible.

To Alice, Jewel is the opposite of invisible. Jewel is her best friend who goes to Indie concerts and art shows with her. Jewel scoffs at school dances with her. Alice is so comfortable around Jewel that she can talk to him about almost anything.

But she can’t tell him that she likes the cool, popular Simon. And then Simon asks her to the school dance the same day that Jewel kisses her for the first time. Still, she can’t say no to Simon. He seems like the easy choice, the one she’s attracted to, the one she’s ready for. But will it mean losing Jewel?

In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush, and what it means to be yourself when you’re not sure who that is yet.

MY THOUGHTS:

I found this book by looking online at my local library. I thought the cover was pretty and the story sounded cute so I ordered it to borrow.

I am so glad I found this book. Granted, it isn’t a long book, but it has a powerful message that is more important than the number of pages. I liked the character of Alice. Maybe because every teenage girl goes through a point in her high school life that she wishes she could be more than what she is. Alice wants to explore outside her cocoon that she has been living in. She has a wonderful friend in Jewel, who yes is a boy, but she has a crush on Simon. Simon is one of the popular group, and even though Alice is in the artistic crowd, they begin a relationship. Yet just as Alice and Simon start to talk to each other, Jewel professes his love for Alice. Alice must decide which boy is the right path. Unfortunately, Alice picks the wrong path. She finds herself falling down the rabbit hole, trying to figure out what she should do. Finally she figures out what she wants and realizes that she wasn’t invisible to everyone, she was just insecure in herself.

You can’t help but fall for each of the characters in the story. It is a simple, teen read that packs a strong punch in life lesson. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and can’t wait to read the author’s next book.

MY RATING: