“There is another thing to know about trains. They are large and dangerous. They would crush you if they could, but they are confined by those two narrow strips of steel. Trains are like fire. You don’t want to get in their way.” (p. 1)
Hautman, Pete. Invisible. New York: Simon Pulse. 2005.
Genre: Realistic fiction
Review:
Doug Hanson doesn’t understand why people don’t like him. But he doesn’t mind much because he has his best friend, Andy Morrow. He and Andy have been best friends for years—even though Andy’s very popular and he is not. He likes talking with Andy—but not about what happened at the Tuttle place…they don’t like to think about that. Besides talking with Andy, Doug loves to work on his model railroad. In fact, he is in the process of building an intricate bridge out of matchsticks. Doug likes matchsticks and is a bit fascinated by fire. But when upsetting events interfere in Doug’s life, a memory and secret that he tried to keep buried may bring down his very reality.
Doug’s specific diagnosis is never mentioned, but he displays many signs of Aspergers Syndrome such as his meticulous attention to detail and his inability to relate to others. The novel peeks into Doug’s mind and his thinking process which is a bit unsettling at times and sad and painful in others and even humorous in spots. The story has an interesting and well-developed plot that will appeal to readers. This book reminded me of the book I Am the Cheese.