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Invisible #1
Invisible
Jazmine Crawford doesn't make decisions. She doesn't make choices. She doesn't make friends. Jazmine Crawford only wants one thing: to be invisible. For Jazmine, it's a lot easier to take out her hearing aid and drift along pretending that nothing's wrong than it is to admit that she's heartbroken. She starts to come out of her shell when she's forced to be in the school play and even makes friends with bouncy Gabby and chocolate-loving Liam. But can she stand up to the school bully, and is she strong enough to face the truth about what really happened to her dad?
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 17, 2013
2189 people are currently reading
3139 people want to read
About the author
Cecily Anne Paterson
23Ìýbooks127ÌýfollowersCecily Anne Paterson is the author of eight novels for young teen girls, as well as an award-winning memoir for adults.
Her first novel Invisible, was a semifinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards in 2014, and 'Charlie Franks is A-OK' won the CALEB Award in 2017.
Cecily writes 'brave-hearted fiction', hitting some serious issues, but in an age-appropriate, clean, and helpful way, and always with a hopeful ending.
Cecily grew up in Pakistan, where she went to boarding school in the Himalayan mountains, and now lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, four children and a cuddly dog.
Her first novel Invisible, was a semifinalist in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards in 2014, and 'Charlie Franks is A-OK' won the CALEB Award in 2017.
Cecily writes 'brave-hearted fiction', hitting some serious issues, but in an age-appropriate, clean, and helpful way, and always with a hopeful ending.
Cecily grew up in Pakistan, where she went to boarding school in the Himalayan mountains, and now lives in Sydney, Australia with her husband, four children and a cuddly dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 296 reviews
April 1, 2024
So I picked this book via random generator.
Let's hope it will be good (3 stars at least)🤞
It was good and I want to continue with the series.
Review to come.
Let's hope it will be good (3 stars at least)🤞
It was good and I want to continue with the series.
Review to come.
July 22, 2013
Oh my, my! Let me gather the words.
This book is just plain fantastic, wonderful, amazing, mesmerizing. Just wow!
From the first word to the very last word, it was sheer magic. I fell in love with the world Paterson created or rather I fell in love with Jazmine.
The author has not just weaved the story so beautifully but her words are utter perfection. She pens down feelings into words so that you can see those feelings, visualize them, breathe them. Ahh, pure bliss!
The story is well thought out, the characters are beautifully etched. Ms. Cecily (the author) has an uncanny ability to get into the mind of a 13 year old and to pour it out on paper. It's just magnificient! I don't know, I am running out of words here because I don't think anything I can write down will do this book justice.
Overall, I have found a new favorite and I will be returning to this book for sure in the near future. I'm in love with the writing style. Highly recommended.
This book is just plain fantastic, wonderful, amazing, mesmerizing. Just wow!
From the first word to the very last word, it was sheer magic. I fell in love with the world Paterson created or rather I fell in love with Jazmine.
The author has not just weaved the story so beautifully but her words are utter perfection. She pens down feelings into words so that you can see those feelings, visualize them, breathe them. Ahh, pure bliss!
The story is well thought out, the characters are beautifully etched. Ms. Cecily (the author) has an uncanny ability to get into the mind of a 13 year old and to pour it out on paper. It's just magnificient! I don't know, I am running out of words here because I don't think anything I can write down will do this book justice.
Overall, I have found a new favorite and I will be returning to this book for sure in the near future. I'm in love with the writing style. Highly recommended.
September 6, 2015
This is Ms. Paterson's first published, is that right? Wow! She has set the bar very high for herself. What did I like about this book? I liked the plot, I liked the themes, I liked the characters, I liked the ending. I was drawn from beginning to end, what more could one expect.
Invisible is a coming of age story about a young girl in Australia who is hearing impaired, who's father died when she was younger, she has no friends, very low self confidence, and she is being bullied at school. That's a lot to deal with but the writer does so in a very straightforward and believable manner. The writing was so good that I am amazed this is a first novel. Well done Ms. Paterson, I look forward to reading your next book.
Invisible is a coming of age story about a young girl in Australia who is hearing impaired, who's father died when she was younger, she has no friends, very low self confidence, and she is being bullied at school. That's a lot to deal with but the writer does so in a very straightforward and believable manner. The writing was so good that I am amazed this is a first novel. Well done Ms. Paterson, I look forward to reading your next book.
April 30, 2022
Cute kids book about standing up for yourself
January 11, 2015
This is a moving and believable journey of a young girl who is partly deaf. Struggling with the death of her father, feeling isolated at school, bullied and lonely, she finds a friend in one of her teachers, who shows her that she has much to offer the world. When Liam, a boy at school begins to notice her as well, her whole life changes and she discovers who she really is.
February 6, 2016
"Today I'm officially brave, which is what you are when you're scared but you still show up."
I came across INVISIBLE while perusing Amazon a few weeks ago (it was and currently still is available as a free ebook). Seeing as it was
1) a young adult book
and
2) written by an indie author
I knew I had to check it out as I am an indie YA author, too. I wasn't prepared for the kind of story Cecily wrote, to be honest. The blurb pretty much explains the jest of the storyline; but when you read INVISIBLE, feelings come into the picture, too. You feel how Jazmine feels. You get how numb she's become, how lacking the relationship between her and her mother is, how sad it must be to not allow herself to have emotions most of the time.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is one of those books where you want to applaud for the MC at the end because you're so proud of how much she's learned. Cecily does a great job of getting you inside Jazmine's head. The Secret Garden references are neat, but most of all I truly enjoyed watching the little bubble Jazmine kept around herself expand and grow wider, allowing more people and feelings in the further the story goes. The book is a little slower paced through the first half, but as these types of stories go, it wouldn't work if it wasn't. You have to get to know the "before" Jazmine in order to see how far she's come.
One last quote:
"Later, as I'm supposed to be copying safety rules for using the power drill off the board I'm secretly and strangely happy. I never realised before that when someone says 'see you at lunch' it feels like sunshine."
And that's how this book feels by the time you reach the end: Like the darkness around Jazmine and her mother is gone and the sunshine is beaming down on you, empowering you to move on.
Sidenote: Cecily is from Australia, so there are a few references that kind of throw you off if you're from the US, but they're hardly worth mentioning.
I came across INVISIBLE while perusing Amazon a few weeks ago (it was and currently still is available as a free ebook). Seeing as it was
1) a young adult book
and
2) written by an indie author
I knew I had to check it out as I am an indie YA author, too. I wasn't prepared for the kind of story Cecily wrote, to be honest. The blurb pretty much explains the jest of the storyline; but when you read INVISIBLE, feelings come into the picture, too. You feel how Jazmine feels. You get how numb she's become, how lacking the relationship between her and her mother is, how sad it must be to not allow herself to have emotions most of the time.
I don't want to give anything away, but this is one of those books where you want to applaud for the MC at the end because you're so proud of how much she's learned. Cecily does a great job of getting you inside Jazmine's head. The Secret Garden references are neat, but most of all I truly enjoyed watching the little bubble Jazmine kept around herself expand and grow wider, allowing more people and feelings in the further the story goes. The book is a little slower paced through the first half, but as these types of stories go, it wouldn't work if it wasn't. You have to get to know the "before" Jazmine in order to see how far she's come.
One last quote:
"Later, as I'm supposed to be copying safety rules for using the power drill off the board I'm secretly and strangely happy. I never realised before that when someone says 'see you at lunch' it feels like sunshine."
And that's how this book feels by the time you reach the end: Like the darkness around Jazmine and her mother is gone and the sunshine is beaming down on you, empowering you to move on.
Sidenote: Cecily is from Australia, so there are a few references that kind of throw you off if you're from the US, but they're hardly worth mentioning.
March 29, 2020
Calling all YA book lovers!! This is a truly wonderful book. The main character Jaz starts of super quiet, to herself and unique. As the sorry unfolds through challenges and life trials, she starts to shine through. Even though I couldn’t relate to her as much as I thought I would (also hearing impaired), the author truly correctly captures the struggle of the technical life of hearing with a hearing aid. That is much appreciated and it is awesome to see real characters out there! This story had several parallels, yet still intriguing. I can’t wait to read the whole series!
September 8, 2018
The one word that comes to mind when describing this story? Boring! I honestly don't get all the good ratings for this one. I had the hardest time reading this. I felt like it was more for a child or something. The writing was so...immature if that makes sense. Was this the author's first book? That was definitely the vibe I got.
In the beginning, why did the teachers think Jazmine owed them an explanation? I never understand that. I mean it would make sense for the other 3 girls to have to explain themselves, but not so much Jazmine. How long had she been going to this school? I would have thought for at least a few months. So after that time, the teachers should have had an understanding of her quiet/nobody home kind of attitude.
What exactly was with the principal? "I haven't seen much that's worth saving about you." Um...is he aware of everything all the students in his school do? Pretty sure, no! That just seemed like a strange thing for him to say. And why would she have received the same punishment as the others? Yes, she was with them but she didn't destroy anything. That didn't make sense to me either.
The fact that Shalini was 6 ft tall...kind of surprising. I can't imagine she was only a bully to Jazmine, so how did no one notice anything between the two of them prior to the 'destroying the room' incident?
I did find it funny how Jazmine's 'punishment' was that she has to do whatever the drama teacher wants her to do. "If I say paint a set, you'll paint a set. If I say iron a costume you will iron the costume." For some reason, that made me automatically think of Shalini. Tell Jazmine to do something and she'll do it.
"The lid is sticky and stuck and I have to use all my muscles and go around and around slowly before I can finally grab it with my fingers and prise it up and pull it off and look inside to find nothing but a disappointing swirl of old brown sludge and oil." That had to have been the longest run-on sentence I've seen in a while. It's also a pretty example of the immature writing style I had mentioned before.
"Do you remember, dad, when I was about four and you...
Do you remember, dad, some nights when I couldn't sleep...
Do you remember, dad, when you took me to get my first hearing aid?
Do you remember, dad, when you first got sick?
Do you remember, dad, your funeral?" That part made me imagine the author having a checklist of different things the main character could ask of her dead father. Like a story web = immature.
So Shalini's father was living where Jazmine and her parents use to live. Shalini's father had only been living there for a year, Jazmine and her mother had been gone from Mudgee? longer. So how did Shalini's father even know about Jazmine's father? Yeah, I get it was a small town but still.
In the beginning, why did the teachers think Jazmine owed them an explanation? I never understand that. I mean it would make sense for the other 3 girls to have to explain themselves, but not so much Jazmine. How long had she been going to this school? I would have thought for at least a few months. So after that time, the teachers should have had an understanding of her quiet/nobody home kind of attitude.
What exactly was with the principal? "I haven't seen much that's worth saving about you." Um...is he aware of everything all the students in his school do? Pretty sure, no! That just seemed like a strange thing for him to say. And why would she have received the same punishment as the others? Yes, she was with them but she didn't destroy anything. That didn't make sense to me either.
The fact that Shalini was 6 ft tall...kind of surprising. I can't imagine she was only a bully to Jazmine, so how did no one notice anything between the two of them prior to the 'destroying the room' incident?
I did find it funny how Jazmine's 'punishment' was that she has to do whatever the drama teacher wants her to do. "If I say paint a set, you'll paint a set. If I say iron a costume you will iron the costume." For some reason, that made me automatically think of Shalini. Tell Jazmine to do something and she'll do it.
"The lid is sticky and stuck and I have to use all my muscles and go around and around slowly before I can finally grab it with my fingers and prise it up and pull it off and look inside to find nothing but a disappointing swirl of old brown sludge and oil." That had to have been the longest run-on sentence I've seen in a while. It's also a pretty example of the immature writing style I had mentioned before.
"Do you remember, dad, when I was about four and you...
Do you remember, dad, some nights when I couldn't sleep...
Do you remember, dad, when you took me to get my first hearing aid?
Do you remember, dad, when you first got sick?
Do you remember, dad, your funeral?" That part made me imagine the author having a checklist of different things the main character could ask of her dead father. Like a story web = immature.
So Shalini's father was living where Jazmine and her parents use to live. Shalini's father had only been living there for a year, Jazmine and her mother had been gone from Mudgee? longer. So how did Shalini's father even know about Jazmine's father? Yeah, I get it was a small town but still.
March 8, 2022
Seit dem Tod ihres Vaters, war Jazmine nie länger als ein Jahr auf einer Schule. Da fällt es schwer neue Freundschaften zu schließen, insbesondere wenn man ein Hörgerät trägt. Am liebsten wäre sie unsichtbar. Ohne recht zu wissen wie ihr geschieht sitzt sie nun im Büro des Direktors und ihr droht die Suspendierung, weil sie mit ein paar Mädchen die Theaterkulissen für das diesjährige Stück zerstört hat. Jetzt wünscht sie sich erst recht, dass niemand sie bemerken würde. Nur die Kunstlehrerin sieht mehr in ihr und macht ihr ein Angebot das sie nicht ablehnen kann. Statt einer Suspendierung muss sie nun bei der Theateraufführung helfen und in einem Notizbuch täglich aufschreiben, wie sie sich fühlt. Zunächst ist es für Jaz eine immense Überwindung, aber dann findet sie neue Freunde und sie bekommt die Hauptrolle. Als ihr Schwarm Liam auch noch auf sie zu stehen scheint, gelingt es ihr ihr Schneckenhaus abzuschütteln und ein aufgeweckter, lebenslustiger Teenager zu werden.
„Invisible� ist mein Überraschungsbuch für diesen Monat. Ich hatte es auf mein Kindle geladen, weil es bei Amazon als Freebie verfügbar war und mir das Cover gefallen hat. Hätte ich geahnt, welch schöne Geschichte sich dahinter verbirgt, hätte ich es schon viel früher gelesen. Jazmine ist so lebensnah beschrieben, dass ich mit ihr gelitten habe und ich konnte mich in sie hineinversetzen, ohne sie je zu bedauern. Obwohl sie schon viel durchmachen musste und Hörbehindert ist, tat sie mir nicht einmal leid, sondern ich habe sie eher bewundert für ihren Mut, sich den Veränderungen in ihrem Leben zu stellen. Ich war stolz wie Bolle, als sie sich gegen ihre Mopperin am Ende behauptet und natürlich froh das sie so tolle Freunde findet. Und ich war über glücklich das die Kunstlehrerin sie nicht aufgegeben und ihr eine zweite Chance gegeben hat.Wenn die Protagonisten eines Buches dem Leser zum Herzen gehen, dann braucht es keinen großen aufwendigen Plot. Den sucht man hier auch vergebens. Dennoch nehme ich dieses Werk sehr gern in die lange Riege meiner Lieblingsbücher auf, denn nur selten habe ich so sympathische Charaktere in einem Buch getroffen, deren Schicksal mich wirklich bewegt und die so lebensecht agieren, dass ich gern mit ihnen befreundet wäre.
Für alle Moppingopfer ist dieses Buch eine Aufforderung sich zu wehren und die eigene Schönheit zu erkennen, aus sich herauszugehen und sich nicht unterkriegen zu lassen. Unsichtbar werden hilft niemandem, im Gegenteil es behindert die Sicht auf die schönen Dinge im Leben. Liebe dich selbst dann können die anderen dich gern haben.
„Invisible� ist mein Überraschungsbuch für diesen Monat. Ich hatte es auf mein Kindle geladen, weil es bei Amazon als Freebie verfügbar war und mir das Cover gefallen hat. Hätte ich geahnt, welch schöne Geschichte sich dahinter verbirgt, hätte ich es schon viel früher gelesen. Jazmine ist so lebensnah beschrieben, dass ich mit ihr gelitten habe und ich konnte mich in sie hineinversetzen, ohne sie je zu bedauern. Obwohl sie schon viel durchmachen musste und Hörbehindert ist, tat sie mir nicht einmal leid, sondern ich habe sie eher bewundert für ihren Mut, sich den Veränderungen in ihrem Leben zu stellen. Ich war stolz wie Bolle, als sie sich gegen ihre Mopperin am Ende behauptet und natürlich froh das sie so tolle Freunde findet. Und ich war über glücklich das die Kunstlehrerin sie nicht aufgegeben und ihr eine zweite Chance gegeben hat.Wenn die Protagonisten eines Buches dem Leser zum Herzen gehen, dann braucht es keinen großen aufwendigen Plot. Den sucht man hier auch vergebens. Dennoch nehme ich dieses Werk sehr gern in die lange Riege meiner Lieblingsbücher auf, denn nur selten habe ich so sympathische Charaktere in einem Buch getroffen, deren Schicksal mich wirklich bewegt und die so lebensecht agieren, dass ich gern mit ihnen befreundet wäre.
Für alle Moppingopfer ist dieses Buch eine Aufforderung sich zu wehren und die eigene Schönheit zu erkennen, aus sich herauszugehen und sich nicht unterkriegen zu lassen. Unsichtbar werden hilft niemandem, im Gegenteil es behindert die Sicht auf die schönen Dinge im Leben. Liebe dich selbst dann können die anderen dich gern haben.
December 12, 2013
This story was different to me in some ways. It involved aspects I'd never read about before, like the main character having a disability, and the fact that the setting is Australia. With that said, it was both intriguing and refreshing to experience something...out of the ordinary to me.
Jazmine had a lot to deal with; she lost her father a few years ago and his death placed a huge gap in the relationship she had with her mother. Then again, there was more to his death that her mother kept hidden from Jaz and that was the main problem keeping them from re-establishing the bond they had before. Aside from that, Jaz has her hearing issue to cope with and pretending to be invisible helps her shield herself from the scrutiny of outsiders. She finally starts to believe she's making friends but they turn out to be the wrong crowd for her, hence, how she ended up working on the school play.
Throughout the story, we get to see Jazmine learning to open up. Partly due to her expressing her feelings more in words, and trying something new. She starts really good friendships and even experience some romance. The best part for me though, was when she and her mother started to get back that closeness they once had. It was all going well until a certain nasty individual returns to Jazmine's life and causes chaos, then we really discover just how emotionally wrecked the main character is.
I think one of the reasons I liked this story is because I can relate to Jazmine, being that she's shy and sometimes fearful about opening up to people. The story really tugs at your heart with some of the things she'd even consider in private. Like questioning her self-worth for instance. There were times I just wanted to reach into the page and give her tight hug. She needed it. Thankfully, towards the end, Jazmine allowed happiness to find her.
Overall, Invisible was a really good story. This young character was well developed and very interesting to learn about. And I liked how the author pulled me into what was happening right up till the very last line. Cecily definitely made a fan out of me and I'd love to read more of her work.
Jazmine had a lot to deal with; she lost her father a few years ago and his death placed a huge gap in the relationship she had with her mother. Then again, there was more to his death that her mother kept hidden from Jaz and that was the main problem keeping them from re-establishing the bond they had before. Aside from that, Jaz has her hearing issue to cope with and pretending to be invisible helps her shield herself from the scrutiny of outsiders. She finally starts to believe she's making friends but they turn out to be the wrong crowd for her, hence, how she ended up working on the school play.
Throughout the story, we get to see Jazmine learning to open up. Partly due to her expressing her feelings more in words, and trying something new. She starts really good friendships and even experience some romance. The best part for me though, was when she and her mother started to get back that closeness they once had. It was all going well until a certain nasty individual returns to Jazmine's life and causes chaos, then we really discover just how emotionally wrecked the main character is.
I think one of the reasons I liked this story is because I can relate to Jazmine, being that she's shy and sometimes fearful about opening up to people. The story really tugs at your heart with some of the things she'd even consider in private. Like questioning her self-worth for instance. There were times I just wanted to reach into the page and give her tight hug. She needed it. Thankfully, towards the end, Jazmine allowed happiness to find her.
Overall, Invisible was a really good story. This young character was well developed and very interesting to learn about. And I liked how the author pulled me into what was happening right up till the very last line. Cecily definitely made a fan out of me and I'd love to read more of her work.
March 12, 2013
I really liked this book. It was a nice story that helped me get out of my Ebook slump.
The story deals with bullying, making new friends, and parent death in a way that many will be able to connect with. While these are serious topics, it doesn't come across as a depressing, wow is this bleak, kind of book. I thought it was rather heartwarming how Jazmine comes out of her shell and stands up for herself.
Jazmine was an interesting main character. She claims she's "had no feelings" since her father died, but it's obvious that she is in a lot of pain. She is so lonely that she becomes friends with Shalini, the school bully who honestly treats Jazmine like crap and calls her 'deaf girl'.
Shalini was completely despicable. I wanted to try and knock some sense into her. There was not a drop of goodness in this character, which kind of disappointed me. I like antagonists who aren't completely evil, but who are human. Shalini was more of a devil. However, it's explained what caused her to become so malevolent, and that kind of satisfied me. Kind of.
And Mrs. Fraser was the most awesome teacher ever! Gosh, I adored her. I loved how she took Jazmine under her wing and helped her spread her wings.
I also loved the Secret Garden references. Jazmine seems like she is based off of Mary Lennox, and it's hinted in the book. I LOVED Secret Garden as a kid, so it was a nice element.
Now, the book did have a couple editing mistakes, but I've come to expect that with indie. My rule is that if it doesn't interefere with the story, I won't 'mark down' for it. Thankfully, the few mistakes in here did not.
So, all together, it was a great story that I really enjoyed. Oh, and it's free. Just a little added perk.
This review can be found on
The story deals with bullying, making new friends, and parent death in a way that many will be able to connect with. While these are serious topics, it doesn't come across as a depressing, wow is this bleak, kind of book. I thought it was rather heartwarming how Jazmine comes out of her shell and stands up for herself.
Jazmine was an interesting main character. She claims she's "had no feelings" since her father died, but it's obvious that she is in a lot of pain. She is so lonely that she becomes friends with Shalini, the school bully who honestly treats Jazmine like crap and calls her 'deaf girl'.
Shalini was completely despicable. I wanted to try and knock some sense into her. There was not a drop of goodness in this character, which kind of disappointed me. I like antagonists who aren't completely evil, but who are human. Shalini was more of a devil. However, it's explained what caused her to become so malevolent, and that kind of satisfied me. Kind of.
And Mrs. Fraser was the most awesome teacher ever! Gosh, I adored her. I loved how she took Jazmine under her wing and helped her spread her wings.
I also loved the Secret Garden references. Jazmine seems like she is based off of Mary Lennox, and it's hinted in the book. I LOVED Secret Garden as a kid, so it was a nice element.
Now, the book did have a couple editing mistakes, but I've come to expect that with indie. My rule is that if it doesn't interefere with the story, I won't 'mark down' for it. Thankfully, the few mistakes in here did not.
So, all together, it was a great story that I really enjoyed. Oh, and it's free. Just a little added perk.
This review can be found on
December 24, 2020
This book uses its long page count to full advantage. It’s a completely relatable story of a young girl finding her voice (with a little help). It also starts with an explanation that this all takes place in Australia so some words might be different.
Jazmine has just gone to her forty-ninth-millionth school since her dad died (that’s my exaggeration, not the author’s). Being the new girl, and not to mention a deaf girl, makes it hard for Jazmine to cope. So she makes herself “invisible�. The person you walk by but don’t see. We have all seen them and we have all been them.
The story opens with Jazmine’s mom going into the principal’s office. Jazmine’s friends have trashed the drama department because the lead mean girl didn’t get the play lead. Since Jazmine just watched, not participate, she gets a break. And a choice. A three week suspension or helping the drama teacher with the play itself. Which choice to make?
The rest shows how that one choice changes Jazmine’s entire school experience, which then permeates through her home life. It’s a great book and a easy read. Highly recommended and a good book for parents to share. There is also a sequel that I may check out as well.
Recommended to people of all ages, and to school librarians as well.
Jazmine has just gone to her forty-ninth-millionth school since her dad died (that’s my exaggeration, not the author’s). Being the new girl, and not to mention a deaf girl, makes it hard for Jazmine to cope. So she makes herself “invisible�. The person you walk by but don’t see. We have all seen them and we have all been them.
The story opens with Jazmine’s mom going into the principal’s office. Jazmine’s friends have trashed the drama department because the lead mean girl didn’t get the play lead. Since Jazmine just watched, not participate, she gets a break. And a choice. A three week suspension or helping the drama teacher with the play itself. Which choice to make?
The rest shows how that one choice changes Jazmine’s entire school experience, which then permeates through her home life. It’s a great book and a easy read. Highly recommended and a good book for parents to share. There is also a sequel that I may check out as well.
Recommended to people of all ages, and to school librarians as well.
July 19, 2016
I’ve had a string of bad books and I’m glad to say this might have broken that string. I really enjoyed this book.
Jazmine was a girl that touches your heart instantly. I knew a few people in highs school like her. They were completely fine blending in with the crowd. I think her transformation from wall flower to someone who stands up for herself was done wonderfully. Mrs. Fraser was probably my favorite character. She was there whenever Jaz needed her and gave her a great kick in the butt when she refused to do something.
I loved that Jaz was able to stand up to her bully, because it shows girls that you don’t have to put up with those kinds of people. The added journal entries were wonderful and really gave you a feel for who Jaz was.
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story with a little romance added. I would suggest this book to anyone.
Posted on
Jazmine was a girl that touches your heart instantly. I knew a few people in highs school like her. They were completely fine blending in with the crowd. I think her transformation from wall flower to someone who stands up for herself was done wonderfully. Mrs. Fraser was probably my favorite character. She was there whenever Jaz needed her and gave her a great kick in the butt when she refused to do something.
I loved that Jaz was able to stand up to her bully, because it shows girls that you don’t have to put up with those kinds of people. The added journal entries were wonderful and really gave you a feel for who Jaz was.
This is a wonderful coming-of-age story with a little romance added. I would suggest this book to anyone.
Posted on
November 24, 2020
This Aussie MG surprised me, and in good ways: simple yet immersive storytelling, skillful interweaving of sensitive themes like mental health and disability, high emotional impact. I would read the sequel! Btw, I got this for free on Amazon, so if you find it available again, I recommend you download it. Trigger warnings for death of a parent, mental illness, bullying
April 28, 2013
With a thirteen-year-old protagonist, this book is a little more juvenile than most of the contemporary books that I read; however, I did actually enjoy it. Paterson nails the early-teen mentality, with all of its anxiety, craziness, and fun. I felt that the dialogue was a bit off for thirteen-year-olds (as in, a bit too mature), but then again, the book is set in Australia rather than in America, so it wouldn't be fair of me to hold it to the standard of what I hear every day with my students.
March 10, 2013
3.5 stars.
This was a really sweet story. It centres around an Australian girl as she tries to find out who she is and where she fits in within the school setting.
It was written in such a way that it was very relatable, I can definitely remember being 13 and having similar feelings to the character regrading fitting in, acceptance and working out who you are.
This is a really nice story set in early High School in Australia. I would recommend this novel as it is a very quick read.
This was a really sweet story. It centres around an Australian girl as she tries to find out who she is and where she fits in within the school setting.
It was written in such a way that it was very relatable, I can definitely remember being 13 and having similar feelings to the character regrading fitting in, acceptance and working out who you are.
This is a really nice story set in early High School in Australia. I would recommend this novel as it is a very quick read.
November 20, 2013
Lots of telling, not showing here. The voice wasn't authentic for a 12-year-old. I kept thinking she was so much older. Underwhelming. It might find an audience in the middle grade crowd, but there are better options out there.
July 4, 2013
A very well written book, though there were some misspellings as well as some confusion for me in the beginning about location. Otherwise, I very much enjoyed reading it.
June 2, 2024
What a wonderful book! I wish I read this when I was younger. Such relatable, realistic and hard themes to grapple with, but written in a way that presents a fabulous and inspiring message.
December 6, 2017
Jazmine Crawford wants nothing more than to be invisible. She doesn’t want anyone to notice her. And she’d rather let life pass her by with no trouble and no interference.
Jazmine and her mum have been moving from town to town ever since her dad died, never settling down and never letting anyone close. When life gets too complicated Jazmine takes out her hearing aid and drifts away. But coasting along in life is exactly what lands Jazmine in a heap of trouble.
After being caught red handed vandalizing the drama room Jazmine is put on probation and has to be the drama teacher’s personal assistant. She also has to write how she feels in a journal.
Living life purposefully means that Jazmine begins to notice things and people that she never did before. Jazmine meets new friends, finds out what she’s really interested in and begins to feel more alive than she’s ever felt in her life.
But Jazmine has some big secrets—secrets that nobody can know—not her new friends or the cute boy who likes hanging out with her.
With her life finally on track can Jazmine keep her past mistakes secret?
Cecily Anne Patterson has written a beautiful novel about being brave and having the courage to face life’s challenges, enjoy life’s rewards and live every day purposefully no matter what is going on.
Jazmine is a beautifully complex heroine whose deep grief and determination serve to bring out a courageous spirit.
If you love Jazmine’s story you’ll be excited to hear that Invisible is the first book in a series of three. Invincible and Being Jazmine continue Jazmine Crawford’s journey.
Invisible is recommended for kids aged 11-14.
Jazmine and her mum have been moving from town to town ever since her dad died, never settling down and never letting anyone close. When life gets too complicated Jazmine takes out her hearing aid and drifts away. But coasting along in life is exactly what lands Jazmine in a heap of trouble.
After being caught red handed vandalizing the drama room Jazmine is put on probation and has to be the drama teacher’s personal assistant. She also has to write how she feels in a journal.
Living life purposefully means that Jazmine begins to notice things and people that she never did before. Jazmine meets new friends, finds out what she’s really interested in and begins to feel more alive than she’s ever felt in her life.
But Jazmine has some big secrets—secrets that nobody can know—not her new friends or the cute boy who likes hanging out with her.
With her life finally on track can Jazmine keep her past mistakes secret?
Cecily Anne Patterson has written a beautiful novel about being brave and having the courage to face life’s challenges, enjoy life’s rewards and live every day purposefully no matter what is going on.
Jazmine is a beautifully complex heroine whose deep grief and determination serve to bring out a courageous spirit.
If you love Jazmine’s story you’ll be excited to hear that Invisible is the first book in a series of three. Invincible and Being Jazmine continue Jazmine Crawford’s journey.
Invisible is recommended for kids aged 11-14.
June 26, 2021
I feel this is between 3.5 and 4 stars... but I'll upgrade it to 4 because of the audience it's aimed at and possibly the reason why..
If I was younger I'd definitely love it.
It's very well written and would be a great book to give a teenager who lost a parent. The author cleverly writes a therapeutic book for a teenager with grief, and who feels a bit of an outsider (MC wears a hearing aid).
Well worth a read.
If I was younger I'd definitely love it.
It's very well written and would be a great book to give a teenager who lost a parent. The author cleverly writes a therapeutic book for a teenager with grief, and who feels a bit of an outsider (MC wears a hearing aid).
Well worth a read.
February 9, 2021
Easy read
This book was an easy read. Nothing super special. For most of the book I thought the characters were older than they actually were and when I found out their ages it changed the entire story for me and made me slightly annoyed. I also found myself skipping paragraphs halfway through just to finish the book faster. Will not be continuing with the series.
This book was an easy read. Nothing super special. For most of the book I thought the characters were older than they actually were and when I found out their ages it changed the entire story for me and made me slightly annoyed. I also found myself skipping paragraphs halfway through just to finish the book faster. Will not be continuing with the series.
January 17, 2014
Imagine a world all alone, of no one but you. All alone, for miles, no one in sight, your
heart rushing like a cheetah running after it's prey on a hot sunny Sahara day. You stand there
on the cloudy beach with the ocean right near you, the breeze from the ocean gushes and
scrapes against your legs, leaving them sore and wounded, the wind is sending endless
shivers down your spine, one after another as the goosebumps rise up to surface like bubbles
in boiling water. You're screaming for help, losing your mind because you're trapped. And then
you realize, you're nothing but invisible.
In the book Invisible by Cecily Anne Peterson, is a story about a girl who fights a
journey to find herself. The main character, Jasmine (Jazz), struggles with life itself. When she
was little her dad died, and since then things have been a little shaky with her school, her
mom, and even her. Until one day in the drama room she saw the guy of her dreams. And
soon she found herself staring at him every chance she got, and then it hit her, she had a
crush on Liam. Day by day her affection for Liam grew. One recess he was playing basketball
and Jazz (who hated getting noticed), she hid behind the bushes and noticed him. Without
making even the littlest noise just sat there watching him. Just when Liam turns around and
catches her staring at him. Jazz could feel her heart go numb, her body go stiff and her
cheeks turn red like a bright, juicy tomato. Liam started approaching her, but there’s nothing
she can do. Has she made a fool of herself? Does he think she’s creepy? Does she have any
chance left with him?
I think that this book is very entertaining because it has so many ups and downs.
Secondly, It has very dramatic and hilarious parts to it, which makes it very enjoyable to read.
Also, this book just sucks you in, the author has done such a great job to explain the story and
the details are so relatable to your own life. I think that this book is a great book to read.
I recommend this book to all of the teenage girls out there because it is just so
understanding and it really does have great discription. All the drama that girls have in their
lives, they way they feel, for example, almost every girl has gotten bullied and in this book it
really bring out those feeling, and describes them perfectly with it’s strong word choice. Also
it’s so interesting, funny, adorable, romantic and it really does make you feel less self
conscious about yourself. This is why I recommend this book because if you like romantic,
emotional and good books, then you are guaranteed to love this book!
heart rushing like a cheetah running after it's prey on a hot sunny Sahara day. You stand there
on the cloudy beach with the ocean right near you, the breeze from the ocean gushes and
scrapes against your legs, leaving them sore and wounded, the wind is sending endless
shivers down your spine, one after another as the goosebumps rise up to surface like bubbles
in boiling water. You're screaming for help, losing your mind because you're trapped. And then
you realize, you're nothing but invisible.
In the book Invisible by Cecily Anne Peterson, is a story about a girl who fights a
journey to find herself. The main character, Jasmine (Jazz), struggles with life itself. When she
was little her dad died, and since then things have been a little shaky with her school, her
mom, and even her. Until one day in the drama room she saw the guy of her dreams. And
soon she found herself staring at him every chance she got, and then it hit her, she had a
crush on Liam. Day by day her affection for Liam grew. One recess he was playing basketball
and Jazz (who hated getting noticed), she hid behind the bushes and noticed him. Without
making even the littlest noise just sat there watching him. Just when Liam turns around and
catches her staring at him. Jazz could feel her heart go numb, her body go stiff and her
cheeks turn red like a bright, juicy tomato. Liam started approaching her, but there’s nothing
she can do. Has she made a fool of herself? Does he think she’s creepy? Does she have any
chance left with him?
I think that this book is very entertaining because it has so many ups and downs.
Secondly, It has very dramatic and hilarious parts to it, which makes it very enjoyable to read.
Also, this book just sucks you in, the author has done such a great job to explain the story and
the details are so relatable to your own life. I think that this book is a great book to read.
I recommend this book to all of the teenage girls out there because it is just so
understanding and it really does have great discription. All the drama that girls have in their
lives, they way they feel, for example, almost every girl has gotten bullied and in this book it
really bring out those feeling, and describes them perfectly with it’s strong word choice. Also
it’s so interesting, funny, adorable, romantic and it really does make you feel less self
conscious about yourself. This is why I recommend this book because if you like romantic,
emotional and good books, then you are guaranteed to love this book!
February 26, 2013
I got this book for free on iBooks and sort of read it as a buddy read. Invisible was a fun read, especially since sign language (or the British version of it, at least) was a part of the book. The author's writing was also interesting, since there were terms and phrases we wouldn't use in America.
At the beginning of Invisible, we find Jazmine in the principal's office, getting told she's to be suspended for helping ruin the drama club's props and classroom. The principal and the drama teacher offer her a chance to explain herself, which she doesn't seem very enthusiastic about. In fact, Jaz doesn't seem too enthusiastic about anything, really.
Eventually she explains what happened: that even though she was with a group of bully kids, she didn't actually harm anything in the room. She even saved the most valuable piece for the play. The drama teacher convinces the principal to let Jaz not suffer suspension if she agrees to help with the play and basically be the teacher's assistant. Jaz almost chooses being suspended instead, but ends up agreeing with the new offer.
Before any actual tasks involving the play, the drama teacher gives her a notebook and says she has to write about her feelings every day. Though Jaz has been completely apathetic about everything up until this point, she is suddenly so incredibly excited to write in this journal the second she gets home. To me, that seemed unrealistic. If she is so apathetic, shouldn't she have at least struggled a little more with actually wanting to do this assignment? Then again, maybe she was just eager to finally have an emotional outlet.
I haven't read anything middle school-themed in a while, so that was nice. However, since I've always been a complete extrovert, it was difficult to connect to the character. I just didn't understand all of her emotions (or lack thereof) and the ways she reacted to making friends. In the end, I give it three stars. It was still a good book!
Favorite quote: "If people judged me then that was their problem."
At the beginning of Invisible, we find Jazmine in the principal's office, getting told she's to be suspended for helping ruin the drama club's props and classroom. The principal and the drama teacher offer her a chance to explain herself, which she doesn't seem very enthusiastic about. In fact, Jaz doesn't seem too enthusiastic about anything, really.
Eventually she explains what happened: that even though she was with a group of bully kids, she didn't actually harm anything in the room. She even saved the most valuable piece for the play. The drama teacher convinces the principal to let Jaz not suffer suspension if she agrees to help with the play and basically be the teacher's assistant. Jaz almost chooses being suspended instead, but ends up agreeing with the new offer.
Before any actual tasks involving the play, the drama teacher gives her a notebook and says she has to write about her feelings every day. Though Jaz has been completely apathetic about everything up until this point, she is suddenly so incredibly excited to write in this journal the second she gets home. To me, that seemed unrealistic. If she is so apathetic, shouldn't she have at least struggled a little more with actually wanting to do this assignment? Then again, maybe she was just eager to finally have an emotional outlet.
I haven't read anything middle school-themed in a while, so that was nice. However, since I've always been a complete extrovert, it was difficult to connect to the character. I just didn't understand all of her emotions (or lack thereof) and the ways she reacted to making friends. In the end, I give it three stars. It was still a good book!
Favorite quote: "If people judged me then that was their problem."
July 5, 2015
This book was free for the Kindle and I must say I'm surprised that I loved it as much as I did. Since it didn't cost anything I assumed that it would be a bit of a 'meh' read, but I was wrong. I was so wrong.
Invisible is about a young, shy, quiet, deaf girl named Jazmine who accidently gets in with the wrong crowd. Unintentionally, she tags along when her new group of 'friends' when they decide to vandalize and destroy a drama set and props for petty revenge. While her 'friends' are suspended for their actions, the drama teacher decides to take Jazmine under her wing and have her help out with the play until show day, along with keeping a journal to write her feelings in, as punishment. Throughout her punishment Jazmine makes new friends and becomes less shy and quiet. She even starts to get a new outlook on life, but what she didn't expect was her old 'friends' to come back into her life and mess with her plans.
My goodness, where to begin? I loved Jazmine. She reminded me of myself and the way I was when I was a preteen. Even the way she writes in her diary. Usually most authorss that try to write their books in a 'diary entry' or 'blog entry' or 'letter' form end up trying too hard or forget that that's what they're trying to do because it ends up reading just like any other novel, but with this it really felt like I was reading a diary. Where the writing is kind of vague and there's not a lot of precisely remembered dialogue between characters.
As I said before, I really wasn't expecting much which might be why I thought it was so good, but I would recommend this to anyone in the mood for a feel good story with an interesting narrative and a likable group of characters.
Invisible is about a young, shy, quiet, deaf girl named Jazmine who accidently gets in with the wrong crowd. Unintentionally, she tags along when her new group of 'friends' when they decide to vandalize and destroy a drama set and props for petty revenge. While her 'friends' are suspended for their actions, the drama teacher decides to take Jazmine under her wing and have her help out with the play until show day, along with keeping a journal to write her feelings in, as punishment. Throughout her punishment Jazmine makes new friends and becomes less shy and quiet. She even starts to get a new outlook on life, but what she didn't expect was her old 'friends' to come back into her life and mess with her plans.
My goodness, where to begin? I loved Jazmine. She reminded me of myself and the way I was when I was a preteen. Even the way she writes in her diary. Usually most authorss that try to write their books in a 'diary entry' or 'blog entry' or 'letter' form end up trying too hard or forget that that's what they're trying to do because it ends up reading just like any other novel, but with this it really felt like I was reading a diary. Where the writing is kind of vague and there's not a lot of precisely remembered dialogue between characters.
As I said before, I really wasn't expecting much which might be why I thought it was so good, but I would recommend this to anyone in the mood for a feel good story with an interesting narrative and a likable group of characters.
June 10, 2013
I received this book free from the author in exchange for an honest review.
I am in love with this cover! It is so beautiful. Definitely draws the reader in. I really enjoyed this story. I like how it was something new because the main character was hearing impaired. I liked the storyline. I feel this book dealt with some pretty heavy topics like suicide and bullying. You would think with topics like this that the book would be depressing but it wasn't. Also it ended on a happy note which I am happy about because Jazmine deserved it. I did find the plot to be a little slow, but otherwise a great read.
I felt like Jazmine was a tough cookie to crack. She had never asked for any details about her fathers death . Because of this she never had really let it go or had the chance. She had all of these bottled up emotions that needed to come out sooner or later and eventually they did and it benefitted Jazmine greatly. I'm glad she got over the need to feel invisible. I also enjoyed Gabby and Liam. They both seem like really nice down to earth people.
This was a really great read. I would recommend this book to contemporary lovers and those who love an underdog. I would most likely read another book by Cecily Paterson.
I am in love with this cover! It is so beautiful. Definitely draws the reader in. I really enjoyed this story. I like how it was something new because the main character was hearing impaired. I liked the storyline. I feel this book dealt with some pretty heavy topics like suicide and bullying. You would think with topics like this that the book would be depressing but it wasn't. Also it ended on a happy note which I am happy about because Jazmine deserved it. I did find the plot to be a little slow, but otherwise a great read.
I felt like Jazmine was a tough cookie to crack. She had never asked for any details about her fathers death . Because of this she never had really let it go or had the chance. She had all of these bottled up emotions that needed to come out sooner or later and eventually they did and it benefitted Jazmine greatly. I'm glad she got over the need to feel invisible. I also enjoyed Gabby and Liam. They both seem like really nice down to earth people.
This was a really great read. I would recommend this book to contemporary lovers and those who love an underdog. I would most likely read another book by Cecily Paterson.
March 23, 2013
5 stars!
I'm not 100% sure what I liked so much about this book, but it was amazing!! Jazmine was just an amazing character, I really felt for her. I didn't realise it when I started this book, but she is actually younger than I was expecting, only about 13. Watching Jazmine come out of her shell and realise that life is actually a happy place, and she doesn't need to hide away, was great and it wasn't overdone or anything. Miss Fraser was fabulous, I loved her. Shalini was just horrible, and it was wonderful to see Jazmine stand up to her, although it may not have always been successful. She also had a cute little relationship with Liam, I thought that was beautiful. And Gabby was just gorgeous, could totally relate to what's she was saying about her confidence. All in all, a fabulous little book, I wish it had gone on longer.
I'm not 100% sure what I liked so much about this book, but it was amazing!! Jazmine was just an amazing character, I really felt for her. I didn't realise it when I started this book, but she is actually younger than I was expecting, only about 13. Watching Jazmine come out of her shell and realise that life is actually a happy place, and she doesn't need to hide away, was great and it wasn't overdone or anything. Miss Fraser was fabulous, I loved her. Shalini was just horrible, and it was wonderful to see Jazmine stand up to her, although it may not have always been successful. She also had a cute little relationship with Liam, I thought that was beautiful. And Gabby was just gorgeous, could totally relate to what's she was saying about her confidence. All in all, a fabulous little book, I wish it had gone on longer.
May 2, 2013
This is a lovely coming of age story. Jazmine has shut herself down and refuses to feel anything after the death of her father. She's afraid to tell anyone her problems thinking they might leave her and want nothing to do with her. After she gets in trouble at school her drama teacher pushes for her to get one more chance. Jazmine begins to come alive as she's pushed to make choices and decide things for herself. I felt for her fear and pain and was happy to see her blossom. I liked the mix of first person narrative and journal letters to her father. It was an intriguing look into her thougts. Altogether it was a sweet charming little story.
July 23, 2013
I really enjoyed this book. It struck a chord with me at various points, I lost my father 4 years ago and I could really relate to the way in which Cecily described the emotions of loss, it is like you just lose interest in anything and almost like you become invisible because it's easier than having to try when the world makes no sense. I loved the way in which the author clearly did a lot of research into high school life and situations of bullying, there were moments where I could relate to Jazmine's situation of feeling intimidated by a group of girls. This is a great little book.
October 20, 2020
This is a book about a girl who is on the Deaf spectrum, it's a simple and easy to read book, definitely aimed towards the young end of young adult.
Jazmine is quiet and doesn't really have a lot of friends, she's an easy target for bullies and also has to deal with the death of her father. After being caught up in an act of vandalism on school property, Jasmine is forced to help out in the drama department as punishment.
The main bulk of the story surrounds new friends, new confidence, old bullies and family secrets.
Jazmine is quiet and doesn't really have a lot of friends, she's an easy target for bullies and also has to deal with the death of her father. After being caught up in an act of vandalism on school property, Jasmine is forced to help out in the drama department as punishment.
The main bulk of the story surrounds new friends, new confidence, old bullies and family secrets.
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