The Opposite of Invisible by Liz Gallagher
"What’s the difference between a
crush and love?
Between love and
best-friendship?
Alice is about to find out."
Alice has been best friends with Jewel for as long as she remembers. Jewel is her only friend. Alice doesn’t think there is anything special about herself. She doesn’t wear much make-up if any, likes to wear her hair in a pony tail and prefers jeans and a T-shirt. Even though she loves art and being creative, she doesn’t think she posses the abilities to be a good artist like Jewel is. So Alice easily blends into the background of her school population, which makes her feel invisible.
Alice talks to Jewel about everything, but she can’t find the courage to tell him about her crush on, popular and cute, Simon Murphy. At least she has her Dove Girl to confide in.
Unexpectedly Simon waves goodbye to her one day, and then he happens to be at the same concert, where he makes an effort to talk to her. Suddenly Alice doesn’t feel so invisible. Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because Jewel also happens to kiss her that very same day. Alice likes that she doesn’t feel invisible when she is with Simon, but she is worried that she will have to sacrifice her friendship with Jewel to stay that way.
I loved The Opposite of Invisible, because I remember feeling the same way! I mean not necessarily the whole guy thing, but the invisible thing, yes! Alice’s character seemed so real to me, like she could be someone that I know. She struggles with things that any teenager would, like love, friendship, and self discovery. The message in this novel is that sometimes you just need to be yourself, even though you might not have it figured out who you really are yet.
The Opposite of Invisible is a debut novel for author Liz Gallagher and I truly hope that it will not be her last. I encourage you to pick up your own copy on January 8th 2008.
*Also reviewed for Teens @ Random. http://www.randombuzzers.com