Invisible

Summary:  Invisible is a book about Doug Hanson, a 17-year-old boy that only cares about two things, his train and his best friend, Andy. Doug has some quirky behaviors like stalking and pranking that make him stand out as a creeper while Andy is a football star. Doug appears psychologically unstable, but he believes he is fine.  It’s everyone else that has a problem. Doug is picked on, stalks his crush, and refuses to acknowledge an incident that happened at the Tuttle place.  He sees a therapist and is medicated and skips out on both his sessions and taking his medication. Doug is kicked out of school after making a bomb threat and reveals that he’s no longer taking his medication. While speaking with a psychiatrist, Doug recounts the moment when he and Andy started a fire in an abandoned house, which ended up taking the life of Andy. However, Doug still believes Andy is with him, and doesn't realize it is only in his head. Afterwards, Doug sets fire to his train and the town of Madham, and his basement burns down. Doug then claims to be in the Madham burn unit, with Andy by his side, but we are left unsure whether Doug is alive or in a mental institution.

Hautman, P. (2005). Invisible. New York: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers.

Commentary:  The strengths of this book are that it brings to light mental illness issues and inner demons that some teenagers may be struggling with, either themselves, friends or family members.  Although this book was surprising, suspenseful and disturbing all at the same time, I think that some teenagers will be able to see themselves in either Doug or Andy and perhaps be able to help themselves or others. 

Connections:  I would consider this book a Realistic Fiction novel with references to mental illness and the issues that come from that, although we never do find out exactly what mental illness effects Doug. We also never really know if his reality is reality or what really happens to him at the end of the story. Hautman also has a new book coming out on September 12th called Slider.  

Pete Hautman's webpage.

Pete Hautman's BlogSpot

Video with the author with his dogs, one bullies the other.  He is very passionate about bringing awareness to the bullying issue because he was bullied as a kid.

Book Trailer