Of Things Not Seen

by Don Aker

"...a warning sounded at the base of his brain. BE ALERT! BE ALERT!" Ben Corbett is desperately struggling to keep his life together. Grades Eleven should be fun for a sixteen-year-old boy. But a chance of a lifetime threatens to reveal something that Ben has been hiding for nine years. His teacher is becoming concerned and his girlfriend wants to help, but Ben is afraid their kindness is going explode his secret.

197 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1995

About the author

Born in 1955 in Windsor, Nova Scotia, Don Aker grew up in rural Hants County. He later attended Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, where he received his Bachelor of Arts (1976), Bachelor of Education (1977), and Master of Education (1991) degrees. He has been a classroom teacher since 1977, and he currently works as Literacy Mentor for the Annapolis Valley Regional School Board. The father of two daughters, he lives in Middleton, Nova Scotia, with his wife, who is his "first editor."

Don began writing in 1988 after taking a course for language arts teachers at the Martha's Vineyard Summer Writing Workshops in Massachusetts, where educators were encouraged to write along with their students. Since then, he has published 13 books and numerous shorter pieces, consulted on several projects for publishers of educational materials, conducted a variety of workshops on teaching and writing, and given readings across Canada. He is a member of the Writers' Federation of Nova Scotia (WFNS), the Writers' Union of Canada (TWUC), the Canadian Children's Book Centre (CCBC), The International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), the Canadian Society of Children's Authors, Illustrators, and Performers (CANSCAIP), and PEN Canada.

Reviews

[Carlie Van Amerongen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to read this for school. It's youth fiction. The author has won awards, but it's really nothing special. I wasn't bored to tears while I was reading it, and someone at that stage in their life might really enjoy it.

It's the story of a boy viciously abused by his step-father, all the while fostering a love of reading and writing. It's based on hope, and lack of hope, and over-coming adversity to acheive dreams. In all, not bad, but I won't read it again, and it's not likely that I'll use it in class.

[anonymous]

I am reading this in school. I find the story itself is basic and the characters have not much of any personalities. Also, much of the book doesn't have very many realistic reactions of characters such as Ann especially to Ben's abuse.

[Emily Young · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heavy, sad story about the reality of abuse. The writing was clear, and the imagery was strong.

[Lucas Smith · Rating 2 out of 5]

Really weak ending

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me realize what the world around me also can throw at me. But I'm not saying that this happened to me or anything. It;s just what shows how hard it is to get out of that kind of an relationship with people and most of the time you don't understand how that happened.

[Mallory Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another scholar read but this one i found more interesting. A young boywith a deranged father can only lead to one interesting novel. Don Aker is an excellent author.

[Josh T]

Uncertain when read. Before 2003.