By Marcus Sedgwick
She is not invisible is a mystery/thriller book for teens, aged 12 and over. Anyone who has read previous Marcus Sedgwick will know what great reads he provides, and this one is no different. So whether you are a first time reader or an avid Marcus Sedgwick fan, you won’t be disappointed.
The book starts when Laureth, a 16 year old girl, receives an email that her dad’s notebook has been found. What puzzled her was that it was found in New York, when her dad was supposed to be in Switzerland for his new book. Jack Peak was a very successful author and had all his ideas in his book, and would never leave it behind. Her mum, fortunately, was in Manchester, so not wasting any time; she takes her younger, 7 year old brother Benjamin with her, (And Stan, his toy Raven).
However Laureth has one other obstacle that’s blocking her; her blindness. What was already an adventure for a normal teenage girl was now made even more difficult. An everyday interaction such as shaking hands and moving forward in a queue was tough. "I don't mind being blind. What I mind is people treating me as if I'm stupid," she says. She is adamant not to let her disability define who she is, and what she is capable of.
This book also focuses on the nature of Coincidence, which Laureth finds out is the subject of her dads book. The author skilfully manipulates our thoughts, and we find ourselves pondering whether coincidences happen for a reason or if we give it more meaning and attention than necessary. Another addition to the book is that it features pages of Jack Peak’s notebook, which gives an in-depth insight into the world of coincidence.
I would give this book 5 star, and would recommend this book to readers who have enjoyed Picture Me Gone by Meg Rossof and The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time by Mark Haddon.