The Invisible Boy

Magical Children

by Sally Gardner

A MAGICAL CHILDREN adventure about a boy who turns invisible.

When his parents are lost in space, Sam is left, heartbroken, in the care of the horrible Hilda Hardbottom. Then he finds a tiny spaceship in the cabbage patch and meets a little alien called Splodge. How Splodge makes him invisible, and how Sam uses his new talent in his darkest hour, makes a touching and extremely funny story with lovely memorable characters.

Genres: Childrens, Middle Grade, Fantasy

112 pages, Paperback

First published June 6, 2002

About the author

AKA Wray Delaney

Sally Gardner grew up and still lives in London. Being dyslexic, she did not learn to read or write until she was fourteen and had been thrown out of several schools, labeled unteachable, and sent to a school for maladjusted children. Despite this, she gained a degree with highest honors at a leading London art college, followed by a scholarship to a theater school, and then went on to become a very successful costume designer, working on some notable productions.

After the births of twin daughters and a son, she started first to illustrate and then to write picture books and chapter books, usually with fairytale- or otherwise magical subject matter. She has been called 'an idiosyncratic genius' by London’s Sunday Times.

Reviews

[Kaylee]

2.5 stars. It was creative but I didn’t love it.

[Siobhan]

A wonderful read from my childhood, one I’d certainly suggest for other youngsters. Whilst it is not my all-time favourite childhood read I can still recall all the details of this one meaning it certainly left a lasting impression upon my young mind.

And isn’t that what we want with children’s books, for them to leave a positive lasting impression?

[Toby]

Unread shelf project 2021: book 42.

This was a fun early middle-grade read about a boy whose parents disappear. While he is temporarily being cared for by a horrible neighbor with nefarious plans, an alien crash-lands in his garden.

The alien, Splodge, speaks a very fun form of English that really made this book a 4-star read instead of lower. The line drawings were amazing too (tbh I’d love to have the energy to combine my art and my love of words into a similar sort of story!). Some of my favorite Splodge phrases are “oh pish bosh,” describing a broken item as “whamdangled,” and calling humans “earth H beans” (or just “H beans”). Also his love of ketchup made me so happy.

Downside — I feel like this book could’ve been three times longer and I would’ve still loved it. But for early MG independent readers, this is a fun, lighthearted story with a brave protagonist, a cute and fun alien, and a happy ending. I definitely fully recommend this to anyone who wants to feel uplifted or who wants to relax with a simply but beautifully written children’s story.

[Claudia]

This book is the reason I read nowdays. It's special to me for that reason. When I was eight my mom bought it against my will (because I thought books were boring) and one day I picked it up and at the end of the day I told her I wanted to come back to the bookstore to get the rest of them. Recently I found out there is one left I never got to read, the bookstore didn't have it and I assumed I had them all.

[Lucy]

I think this book is a really interesting book. I didn't like to read books before especially English books, but this book makes me have good feelings about reading. So I think this book is really helped me a lot of changing my thoughts and English skills.
Very helpful book!!

[The Bookworms]

Another hilarious book in the magical children collection. Sally Gardner introduces us to a young boy who is about to go on an adventure with his alien friend. Everything is fine until one day his whole world is turned upside down. 👽👪👨‍🚀👩‍🚀

[Rosie]

Probably more like 3.5 stars. A quick read about a boy and an alien. The alien speaks a jumbled form of English which would make this a fun book to read aloud. I’d use this as a class read in KS1 or suggest it to a child who was a free reader but needing to build up their reading stamina.

[Claire]

Kids bedtime story.

[✨constanza✨]

Más libros romantizados de mi infancia, en su momento me lo re-lei muchas veces y me gustaba mucho.

[Bear]

Fun quick read

[María Parra Sánchez]

Otra hermosísima novela de Sally Gardner que a través del ingenio, la fantasía y el humor ahonda en los sentimientos infantiles y en valores universales que no deben de olvidarse cuando uno se hace mayor.

Una lectura maravillosa altamente recomendable para cualquier edad.
http://librosmagicossonadores.blogspo...

[Simon Evans]

It’s a great little story for a seven or eight year old. It has humour, a little friendly alien and a grumpy neighbour. What more is required? It’s a 100 odd pages and I polished it off in a day. So an easy read, one that can easily fill a week or two of ‘novel study’ I feel, perhaps at the start next year.

[Talia S]

this book is a good book. it is short, and an exciting read.

[Calista]

It was about an Ivisible boy who meets and alien and he helps the alien through out their fantastic journey.

[Skye]

a book for younger children, but a good 20 minute read before bed:)

[Thu Lam]

A bit frightening and ridiculous at first but then what do you know, ketchup is awesome