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mapally's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this story. It truly is a coming of age story for a girl that didn't have it easy, but found a way to deal with everything and remain true to herself at the same time. I enjoyed reading about the relationship she had with her grandmother and the level of mutual love and respect they shared. Although at times we can't think that things in life can change for the better and we can't dig ourselves out of whatever situation we are in, this story is full of hope and promise.
I give this story 4.5 stars out of 5!
I give this story 4.5 stars out of 5!
lifeofmystery's review
1.0
I honestly do not understand why this book is so popular. It relies on clichés to make its point and (for me) there are no likeable characters. It feels like they are all caricatures.
The relationship between Lola and her grandmother was nice, but unfortunately felt unreal after the grandmother's death. Lola barely mourned.
I'm sorry but that's my honest opinion.
The relationship between Lola and her grandmother was nice, but unfortunately felt unreal after the grandmother's death. Lola barely mourned.
I'm sorry but that's my honest opinion.
totallybookedsolid's review against another edition
3.0
I found Invisible to a great book for those dealing with bullying . Lola deals with that very thing, by the popular standards she is no pretty or thin , or perfect , the lack of those things causes the popular group to pick on her mercilessly. The bullying from the kids gets so bad that Lola wishes she could be invisible and in turn becomes so. This book leads us through the growth of Lola as she tried to understand this new power she has and how she learns that your real friends will stick with you no matter how you look for inner beauty can be found in everyone no matter how they look on the outside. I also enjoyed how the author stressed when dealing with bullies its important to not become the bully yourself. If I had anything negative to say about the book is , I didn't care for the language and the underlined homosexuality, purely because I wouldn't want younger kids to read such , without those two things I would recommend this book to tweens and up. Great book about bullying and self worth.
lenoreo's review
3.0
I almost didn't like it...had to keep reminding myself that they are teenagers, and yes, unfortunately, teenagers do act like that in real life sometimes. The ending was wonderful though -- perfect redemption (not quite the word I was looking for) for Lola, made me proud of her....
katrinia17's review against another edition
3.0
Quick and easy read about a bullied teen who learns that she has inherited her grandmothers power of invisibility and uses the power to teach her bullies a lesson and come to terms with loving herself.
The start of this book is rough. Characters are stereotypes and whinny. It would have been better if I didn't have to hear a repeat of the weight issue that goes through the entire book and seems to never let up. I got it...she's a "hippo". The first chapter's internal thought followed by the kids making fun of her...followed by the second chapter about her parents and sisters looks vs hers, more internal thoughts on her fatness, and a backtrack to the pool scene...to follow up with chapter 3...internal fat thoughts, back to kids calling her fat... It was never ending. Fat rubbery fingers, standing like a beast, blubber...never ending. Anytime she stood next to someone smaller we heard about her size. It didn't have to be about people, furniture groaned under her.
Another issue I had was with the description. Example: If the character was in her room and a friend was to come over the character would start describing the character fully before they came over. When the character walked in we would get a description again. This actually happened and n the same scene the character started describing the guy she was into. This description should have come the chapter before when he was with the crowd that attacked her and during the time she mentioned him doing something.
X stood against the orange slide, his brown hair hung to his shoulder and his dark brown eyes followed me. I had no idea why he hung out with these jocks. He didn't fit the crowd with his tall lanky body tossing among bulldogs using him as a chew toy.
We didn't get this. We got nothing on his introduction and later a description when he wasn't even in the room.
"My fingers feel fat and rubbery."
"...rubbery chicken and soggy noodles..."
The above are some of the descriptions we get throughout the book.
"Charlie stabs her fries and crams them into her mouth..." With what? Her fingers? A fork I assume but we aren't told there is one there. I might be picky with this one but it is one of the examples of situations like it. Mostly the image is random. She's got gravy covered fries on her plate and later is stabbing and cramming them into her mouth. Why? They are making plans. Is she angry? Frustrated? No clue. She's just stabbing fries and cramming them into her mouth.
Here is another section that got to me:
Then I look at Grandma Rose and wish with all my might that she could live forever.
"One more lap and we'll call it a day, Kiddo," Gran says with a wink.
And off we go, hand in hand.
If only time would stand still.
I have a couple of issues with the section above. 1. (which you don't know because it is not in here) we already know that the two are holding hands...we don't need to hear it again. 2. It was added again for sentimental reasons. That is the main issue with this section. Sentimentality makes things cheesy. "she could live forever...hand in hand...one more lap...if only time would stand still."
It is all thrown in after an already sentimental chapter. It becomes cheesy and over done.
I look at Grandma Rose and wish with all my might that she could live forever.
"One more lap, Kiddo," Gran says with a wink.
For me, this is all that is needed. Gran and her have already talked about how she has this power handed down from Gran. How their DNA and Irish blood run strong. How they are alike, Gran is her "miniature version of her." They even have the same blood type. Gran knew that the power came, she could tell just by looking at her because "they had a connection."
So, with all this being said throughout the chapter and previous scenes, do we really need to hear anything else? My opinion is no. Granddaughter feels this way, she wishes this day wouldn't end, she doesn't want to leave even though she feels grandma needs the rest and grandma has said so...Grandma doesn't need to be told how her granddaughter feels, she knows it and decides on "One more lap, kiddo." and that says it all.
It seems that people now want to put in texting in their story...it includes all the U and Riiiiight and all...down to the emojies.
So, I got strings of happy faces throughout this text with the character saying, "The happy faces let me know she really means it." (this comes after the other person sent the response of: OMG!!!! I'm really happy 4 u.
The start of this book is rough. Characters are stereotypes and whinny. It would have been better if I didn't have to hear a repeat of the weight issue that goes through the entire book and seems to never let up. I got it...she's a "hippo". The first chapter's internal thought followed by the kids making fun of her...followed by the second chapter about her parents and sisters looks vs hers, more internal thoughts on her fatness, and a backtrack to the pool scene...to follow up with chapter 3...internal fat thoughts, back to kids calling her fat... It was never ending. Fat rubbery fingers, standing like a beast, blubber...never ending. Anytime she stood next to someone smaller we heard about her size. It didn't have to be about people, furniture groaned under her.
Another issue I had was with the description. Example: If the character was in her room and a friend was to come over the character would start describing the character fully before they came over. When the character walked in we would get a description again. This actually happened and n the same scene the character started describing the guy she was into. This description should have come the chapter before when he was with the crowd that attacked her and during the time she mentioned him doing something.
X stood against the orange slide, his brown hair hung to his shoulder and his dark brown eyes followed me. I had no idea why he hung out with these jocks. He didn't fit the crowd with his tall lanky body tossing among bulldogs using him as a chew toy.
We didn't get this. We got nothing on his introduction and later a description when he wasn't even in the room.
"My fingers feel fat and rubbery."
"...rubbery chicken and soggy noodles..."
The above are some of the descriptions we get throughout the book.
"Charlie stabs her fries and crams them into her mouth..." With what? Her fingers? A fork I assume but we aren't told there is one there. I might be picky with this one but it is one of the examples of situations like it. Mostly the image is random. She's got gravy covered fries on her plate and later is stabbing and cramming them into her mouth. Why? They are making plans. Is she angry? Frustrated? No clue. She's just stabbing fries and cramming them into her mouth.
Here is another section that got to me:
Then I look at Grandma Rose and wish with all my might that she could live forever.
"One more lap and we'll call it a day, Kiddo," Gran says with a wink.
And off we go, hand in hand.
If only time would stand still.
I have a couple of issues with the section above. 1. (which you don't know because it is not in here) we already know that the two are holding hands...we don't need to hear it again. 2. It was added again for sentimental reasons. That is the main issue with this section. Sentimentality makes things cheesy. "she could live forever...hand in hand...one more lap...if only time would stand still."
It is all thrown in after an already sentimental chapter. It becomes cheesy and over done.
I look at Grandma Rose and wish with all my might that she could live forever.
"One more lap, Kiddo," Gran says with a wink.
For me, this is all that is needed. Gran and her have already talked about how she has this power handed down from Gran. How their DNA and Irish blood run strong. How they are alike, Gran is her "miniature version of her." They even have the same blood type. Gran knew that the power came, she could tell just by looking at her because "they had a connection."
So, with all this being said throughout the chapter and previous scenes, do we really need to hear anything else? My opinion is no. Granddaughter feels this way, she wishes this day wouldn't end, she doesn't want to leave even though she feels grandma needs the rest and grandma has said so...Grandma doesn't need to be told how her granddaughter feels, she knows it and decides on "One more lap, kiddo." and that says it all.
It seems that people now want to put in texting in their story...it includes all the U and Riiiiight and all...down to the emojies.
So, I got strings of happy faces throughout this text with the character saying, "The happy faces let me know she really means it." (this comes after the other person sent the response of: OMG!!!! I'm really happy 4 u.
melanie_page's review
fast-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Although Lola’s height and weight are mentioned only once, it was hard for me to understand all the fatphobic comments she receives. Look up images of women who are 5’10” and just under 200lbs and you’ll find photos of very average-sized people. In this way Bannon, not a fat person, tattles on herself. Like many straight-size individuals, Bannon suggests 5-10 pounds larger than an “ideal” dieting weight calls for mooing and cries of “lard ass” because getting fat is unforgivable. In Bannon’s attempt to write a fat character with dignity, her book shines a white-hot light on how lightly women and girls can tread outside of “acceptable” before they are ostracized and physically beaten then rewarded with attention from crushes, friends, and family after compliance is met.
Check out the full review here https://grabthelapels.com/2021/05/13/invisible/
Check out the full review here https://grabthelapels.com/2021/05/13/invisible/
Content Warnings
Moderate: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Emotional abuse
bookbriefs's review against another edition
3.0
Invisible is a good read. I enjoyed it a lot. Lola is a likeable enough character who goes through some not so ordinary changes. She can turn invisible. That's pretty cool! Think about all the stuff you could get away with if you could turn invisible. I liked that Lola's invisibility didn't come easy to her. I liked that she had to work and practice a ton to perfect it. This book reminded me a little of Fade by Robert Cormier. But a modern day, high school drama Fade from a girls perspective.
Lola got teased at school. Outside of school. Even at home. She got teased a lot. I felt so bad for her. Again it made me appreciate my high school. People didn't get teased like that. Unfortunately, not all school's are like mine was and the reality is that people do get teased and bullied. And none of it is acceptable. That's why when Lola and her friend Charlie come up with a plan to get back at the bullies I was all for it. And in the end- I LOVED what Lola did. It was my favorite part of the book!
Lola's character did get on my nerves slightly. She ended up being a strong person, and I really respected her for that. But a few times on her journey she was a little whiny. She didn't seem to want to do anything to help herself. Now I understand that she was going through a lot. She had a lot to deal with both at school and at home. I know it must have been tough for her, but a few times during her journey I found myself disconnected to her just a little bit. She won me over in the end though! Big time. I was so proud of her! :)
Overall, Invisible is a really inspiring read. It is such a touching journey. Jeanne Bannon really did a great job of making you feel like you are along for the ride with Lola. I would have liked a little big more in the romance department though. But what you do get is so realistic, and that is even better. I found myself having the same doubts as Lola, I didn't know who to trust, what to do next and how to just make everything better. Invisible is a really powerful book.
Lola got teased at school. Outside of school. Even at home. She got teased a lot. I felt so bad for her. Again it made me appreciate my high school. People didn't get teased like that. Unfortunately, not all school's are like mine was and the reality is that people do get teased and bullied. And none of it is acceptable. That's why when Lola and her friend Charlie come up with a plan to get back at the bullies I was all for it. And in the end- I LOVED what Lola did. It was my favorite part of the book!
Lola's character did get on my nerves slightly. She ended up being a strong person, and I really respected her for that. But a few times on her journey she was a little whiny. She didn't seem to want to do anything to help herself. Now I understand that she was going through a lot. She had a lot to deal with both at school and at home. I know it must have been tough for her, but a few times during her journey I found myself disconnected to her just a little bit. She won me over in the end though! Big time. I was so proud of her! :)
Overall, Invisible is a really inspiring read. It is such a touching journey. Jeanne Bannon really did a great job of making you feel like you are along for the ride with Lola. I would have liked a little big more in the romance department though. But what you do get is so realistic, and that is even better. I found myself having the same doubts as Lola, I didn't know who to trust, what to do next and how to just make everything better. Invisible is a really powerful book.
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