Author Clements has crafted a novel with a unique combination of fantasy-science fiction combined with an urban-contemporary setting involving two middle-grade/junior high students. The Sci-Fi aspect is cleverly written in a very plausible setting such that it is easy to involve the reader in the plot without any sense that the story is implausible.

This is a comfortable story for the Tween and slightly older age-group: the pace is reasonably even and some angst builds without overwhelming the story. The narrative plays through a few heavy-handed episodes, some rather unbelievable (an exaggerated police search, some arrogant government officials). Nevertheless, overall the novel is engaging and generates sympathy for Bobby and Alicia (the main protagonists). Perfect reading for a young teen wanting to escape feeling misunderstood by all the adults in their life. ( )

In "Things Not Seen", Bobby Phillips overall seems like a average fifteen-year-old. Until one certain morning, he wakes up and can't seem to see himself in the mirror. He was not blind, or dreaming, but Bobby seemed to be just plain invisible. no reason has occurred for this to happen to Bobby. He meets a a girl, Alicia, who is blind. Bobby talks to her like no other and trust her. He knows that being invisible can have a dangerous outcome. This book can help students in the class, to bring a sort of mystery when reading, and also learning how to trust others in hard situations. ( )

Puffin Platinum edition ( )

What a touching and original novel. It had a fresh, strong narrative voice and a compelling plotline that isn't necessarily brand new, but done it a totally new way.

Bobby Phillips wakes up one morning to find that something impossible has occurred; he can't see himself anymore. Somehow, he has become invisible. At first it seems it could be temporary, and surely Bobby's supportive physicist Dad and warm Mom can do something. But as hours pile up and Bobby and his family begin to realize the implications of his bizarre condition, things get serious.

But when Bobby finally snaps and decides to go to the library to escape, invisible or no, a chance meeting changes everything. Because suddenly there's one unlikely person who seems calm and understanding enough to help an invisible fifteen-year-old boy. Her name is Alicia...and she's blind.

The development of both Bobby and Alicia's characters, as well as their totally unique relationship of blind girl and invisible boy, is very well done. It's interesting how Clements addresses Bobby's condition in a scientific rather than magical way, and when the eventual cause is discovered, it's very original and unexpected. All in all, this is a startlingly real novel with great characters and real emotion; the end almost brought me to tears. There are a couple companion books to it, and I hope to read those and see these characters again. ( )