Invisible: The (Sort of) True Story of Me and My Hidden Disease

by David Soren

From the director of the Captain Underpants movie and Turbo comes a heavily illustrated middle grade novel full of humor and heart that captures the rollercoaster ride of growing up with an invisible disability. For fans of Wink and Wonder!

JJ Sugar was only eight years old when he discovered that he could really draw. Like…better than anyone else in class (no offense to the other kids!). After winning a citywide poster design contest, his dream of becoming an animator was born.

Unfortunately for JJ, that same year, he also discovered his curse. After not feeling well for several weeks, he went to the doctor for some tests. (Actually, lots and lots and lots of tests.) And when his doctor dropped the diagnosis—Crohn’s disease—JJ was suddenly no longer alone on the exam table. Sitting next to him was a giant, sarcastic, leather-wearing Norm, the not-so-invisible embodiment of JJ's chronic disease. And Norm seems bent on ruining his life.

Now, JJ must navigate the twists and turns of middle school and his bowels. But maybe he won’t have to do it alone…

Genres: Middle Grade, Fiction, Health

256 pages, Hardcover

Published October 14, 2025

Reviews

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

J.J. Sugar loves to draw, and as an 8 year old comes up with a plan; he will be an animator and move from chilly Canada to sunny California when he is a grownup. It seems like a good plan, but he runs into difficulty when he is diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. While this gives him a good deal of difficulty, it is invisible to everyone around him, and he envisions his disease as a 7 foot tall monster named Norm that only he can see. Since his mother also struggles with the disease, she also has a monster named Francie that J.J. can see. When J.J. is on medication and his symptoms are milder, Norm gets smaller, but there are times when his digestive tract is problematic, like when he has Chinese food at a sleepover and is in so much pain that his parents have to be called to get him at 2 a.m. He talks a lot to Norm about his condition, and even draws a comic book style panel about "Devil in the Sidecar" about his relationship with the monster. When he tries a new treatment, he has to deal with a lot of side effects, which manifest as a companion goblin until he is taken off of the medication. After surgery, his symptoms abate, and Norm goes away, but this only lasts a year. As J.J. starts middle school, he does make some new friends, takes up figure skating, and even helps his mother find a support group to attend. When he is accepted into a summer animation program, his teacher encourages him to make his one minute film about his struggles with Crohn's. An epilogue includes a picture of the author as an eight year old, and lets the reader know that he did grow up to be an animator.
Strengths: It is important for young readers to gain some empathy for people who might be struggling with health issues that can't be seen, and books like Invisible can help with that. J.J.'s interest in art will speak to many readers, especially since the author has gone on to be successful in the field of animation. I was glad to see that the mother also had to cope with this health issue, and wouldn't have minded more details about her experience. There are some descriptions of foods that bother J.J., like dairy and corn, and discussions of different treatments. The illustrations add some appeal; there should be more lightly illustrated middle grade novels!
Weaknesses: The cover of this made me think it would be a graphic novel, but while there are some pictures, this is more of an illustrated novel.
What I really think: I would buy this if it were more like Mercado's Chunky or Rosen's TS Hullabalo (about Tourette's Syndrome), but the mix of fantasy elements and real life problems didn't work as smoothly as I had hoped. For another look at Crohn's Disease, look at Eliopulous' Will on the Inside, Larson and Wyatt's Gut Reaction, or Arlow's The Year My Life Went Down the Toilet.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

In David Soren’s INVISIBLE, after his diagnosis with Crohn’s disease, eight-year-old J.J. finds Norm, an imposing, sarcastic, leather jacket-clad creature, staring back at him. Only visible to J.J., Norm is the personification of his illness, or his “new normal,” always looking over his shoulder and reminding J.J. of his presence. A budding comic artist, J.J. does his best to navigate the ups and downs of his illness and Norm as he transitions from elementary to middle school. Initially he keeps his disease hidden from others, afraid of what they may think. Eventually he decides to share the challenges he’s facing, finding support from those he confides in and triumphantly producing a short film about his experiences.

While the subject of chronic illness is a serious one, the story is infused with humor in both the text and the accompanying illustrations. The author’s love of drawing cartoons will capture readers who share a similar interest. I think more than a few will see the cover and assume it is a graphic novel. Hopefully they’ll stick with it when they realize it is a novel with illustrations. INVISIBLE provides middle grade readers with an accessible look at the experience of growing up with chronic illness that may serve to reassure those in similar situations while encouraging empathy in their peers

[Jeanne Stadel · Rating 5 out of 5]

As the parent of a child (now an adult) with a chronic illness, I have been painfully aware of the dearth of novels written about the experience of living life with an illness that no one seems to understand. Aimed at the middle grade audience, Soren’s book touches on so many aspects of that experience: the isolation, the lack of acceptance, the hiding in the shadows to try and appear “normal,’ the refusal to join support groups in the belief that no one else’s experience could possibly be the same. What I love about this book is that the author uses humor and imagination to address very serious and life changing circumstances. It is written for those on a similar journey to that of the author, allowing them to feel seen and connected, but it is also for those who may know someone dealing with a chronic illness, one invisible to others even though, for them, it’s life altering. This book makes accessible their experience, awakens empathy, and even suggests a path forward. It is above all hopeful, and I wish it had been around when my child was younger.

[Mimayk · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 ⭐ - I received an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I’ll be honest and say that when I requested this ARC, I thought it was a graphic novel. I was slightly disappointed when I found out it’s an illustrated novel, until I read the first few chapters and fell in love with the story. It was totally not what I had expected. I loved the MC and Norm so much. The ending made me tear up! When I found out that David Soren directed and co-wrote Under The Boardwalk I immediately went to rewatch it. David Soren is as good a writer as he is a director! This is a must read and I would honestly love to reread it one day.

[Susan Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a much-needed story. Not quite a graphic novel, though heavily illustrated on many pages. A way to start conversations about people living with conditions or disabilities that are not visible. Terrific in print and on audio (with music and sound effects).

Review here on Wonder World Book Cafe Podcast episode #118.
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast...

[Fiona · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, an interesting story and I appreciated the Crohn’s representation but there’s too much telling, not enough showing. This probably would have been better as a graphic novel, particularly given that the author is an animator.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the director of the Captain Underpants movie comes a heavily illustrated middle grade novel full of humor and heart that captures the rollercoaster ride of growing up with an invisible disability.

[Renee Brazeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inside Out meets Big Mouth, but suitable for middle grade readers. A refreshing own voice account of living with Crohn’s disease, filled with humour, imaginative characters, creativity and stellar illustrations.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kind of memoir (but in the fiction section...obviously) Boy gets Chrone's disease and imagines his disease as an invisible monster that goes everywhere with him. Happy ending.

[Charlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A hilarious yet poignant look about the struggle faced by those with invisible illnesses and disabilities.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son has crohn's and it was a very nice story explaining what kids have to go through with the disease. Very good informational book in a fun way to educate people about it.

[Ashlee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book brought so much joy to my 7 year old struggling with Crohn's. We both had many laughs and shed some tears while reading together. David found a way to make Crohn's funny and relatable!

[Jasmine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrative voice was really engaging and I think for the 8-12 year old reader they will respond well to the story. The challenges of living with Crohn’s are described in a superficial way so the focus really is on how JJ is striving for a “normal” life and his goals. I’m really grateful for the ARC from NetGalley that allowed me to preview this book and I can see it being a great addition to our school library.

[KMitch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Approachable account told in 1st person of a kid navigating his Crohn’s Disease diagnosis. His disease is a(n invisible) character in the story named Norm (because the disease is JJ's new normal).

[Read by Curtis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great story that personifies physical and mental illnesses as creatures. I'm sure many people with invisible disabilities will feel seen and understood. I just wish the author had been a bit kinder to Canada (I'll take intense weather systems over snakes and crocs any day of the week) and the "Punjab from Punjab" story was borderline racist and completely unnecessary.