The Invisibles

by Holly Kowitt

For fans of The Breakfast Club who wished every member was a nerd, this new middle grade novel stars a totally uncool boy who gets adopted by a group of other uncool kids in a bid to take over their school.

Jimmy Stern can’t catch a break.

As the new kid at school, he just wants to keep his head down and read his favorite Weird Walt comics. But when he accidentally drops Kyle Scott’s phone in the toilet, his social status goes down the drain. Being targeted by the most popular guy in school sucks.

Or, at least, it did suck, until Jimmy receives a note from a mysterious group of students called The Invisibles. Social outcasts like himself, The Invisibles have a elect Jimmy as Art Week Secretary and stop Kyle’s favorite actor, Bayleigh White, from visiting their school. Jimmy quickly agrees, realizing that he can ask Weird Walt to do the Art Week visit instead.

But as campaign tactics spiral out of control, Jimmy will have to decide what he’s willing to do to get even. Smart, fast-paced, and laugh out loud funny, this is a must read for any kid (or adult) who has felt uncool.

208 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication August 18, 2026

About the author

Also writes as H.N. Kowitt.

Reviews

[Christine Sturman · Rating 4 out of 5]

When one is in Middle School, to be invisible can be a good thing. In “The Invisibles”, by Holly Kowitt, Jimmy Stern is a seventh grader who has been to three schools in the last four years. He doesn’t really know anyone and doesn’t really want to, as he will probably move again and be at another school next year. But then one of the cool kid jocks decides to play soccer in the crowded hallway during passing time. Jimmy steps in to protect some of the other kids and now he’s no longer invisible. And then some strange things start to happen. Jimmy is credited for them, even thought he had nothing to do with them. Find out how one person can help others, even if he wasn’t trying!

This was a fun book to read. I can see the different types of kids depicted in the story and how they would and could interact. Holly Kowitt has done a good job of characterizing all of them. I feel that some of the situations were a little far fetched, but they did move the storyline along and would appeal to the readers. I think that this book could touch and help the kids who may be struggling to find their place in school. Bullies bully to get their way, but their situations can change too. Late elementary and middle school readers will enjoy this book.

I wish to thank Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group for this complementary eARC of this book and for selecting me to review it on NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#TheInvisibles
#MacmillanChildren’sPublishingGroup
#NetGalley
#MiddleSchool
#Bullies

[Hope Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy Sterns is always the new kid - the constant moving is just a part of his dad's job and he is used to it by now. In fact, he has even learned to NOT make friends since he knows he will be leaving them soon enough anyway. At his newest school in Illinois, Jimmy was trying to settle into his new routines of being invisible in this school when he crosses paths with the ruler of the school: Kyle. He doesn't just cross paths, he gains full-on, 100% attention when he accidentally drops Kyle's phone in the toilet. Kyle is now focused on retaliation, and a mysterious, underground group bent on exacting their own revenge contacts Jimmy requesting that he run again Kyle in a school election.

Fun, school-related story that will appeal to any kid who has ever been bullied, or gotten unwanted attention from school rulers. It's also the story for the kids who need to know that they can rule in their own right and never need to be invisible. This book is appropriate for upper elementary and middle school grades, and I hope to see it on state reading award lists. This is a good recommendation for fans of Andrew Clements, Stuart Gibbs, Chris Grabenstein, and James Point.

[Heather Noyes-Fredette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jimmy moves around a lot a lot. He doesn’t ever really feel like he fits in. But no matter where his dad’s job leads him, he has his journal of sketches and his Weird Walt comics. This newest school is more of the same- the popular crowd, the jocks, all the other cliques, and then there’s Jimmy still on the outside. Well… that is until he meets The Invisibles. This crew has a plan to tip the scales and “take back the school”. Jimmy is faced with moving outside his comfort zone to share parts of himself and meet new people. His moral compass is put to the test- is it better to take the high road or have sweet sweet revenge???

This middle grade book was so fun to read with Jack. It provided us with a storyline from which to discuss feelings of belonging, selfishness, friendship, and honor.

Mom- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Jack- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Thank you to @netgalley and @macmillanusa for this #advancedreaderscopy - pub date is 8/18/26. @hollykowitt Jack and I will be grabbing your other books- but we really hope there’s more of The Invisibles.

#2025bookchallengebook88of100
#jackandmomnighttimechroniclesbook28
#theinvisibles

[Tonya Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Invisibles was a quick and fun read.

Poor Jimmy Stern is just trying to survive his new school, but a bit of bad luck with the most popular kid in school makes that almost impossible. Unfortunately, like so many stories- the most popular kid in school isn't the nicest and has influence over the rest of kids that Jimmy can't put the mistake behind him and move on. When Jimmy stands up for another kid who is being bullied, his luck starts to change, but he's confused as to how it's happening. When he gets the invitation to meet The Invisibles he realizes how they can help each other and bring his favorite comic book artist to Art Week.

Things seem to be going well with their plan, until the temptation of revenge gets a little strong for some members of the group. As things start to spiral, Jimmy realizes he needs to make a decision- even if it's not the most popular with the other members. I appreciate Jimmy being able to set a good example-not just for his classmates, but also the reader as we can all get carried away sometimes.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Weirdos of the World unite!"

This was a fun story to read. Jimmy was a relatable character for anyone who has felt left out, looked over, or less-than. I liked the story and I admired Jimmy's character. He stood up for the Invisibles without compromising his morals- or rather, he righted his wrong in the best way he knew how.
It did annoy me a bit how many times the author used "UUUUGGGHHHHH" but as we all know, middle-grade kids can be very dramatic.
I would recommend this read to any middle-grade student who enjoys reading about the underdogs.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute middle-grade story about the rise of the underdogs.