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The Opposite of Invisible
“Gallagher’s debut—like Alice—shines.”— VOYA
Alice and Jewel have been best friends since grade school. Together, they don’t need anyone else, and together they blend into the background of high school. Invisible. To Alice, Jewel is the opposite of invisible. Jewel is her best friend who goes to indie concerts and art shows with her. Jewel scoffs at school dances with her. Alice is so comfortable around Jewel that she can talk to him about almost anything.
But she can’t tell him that she likes the cool, popular Simon. Simon asks her to the school dance the same day that Jewel kisses her for the first time. Still, she can’t say no to Simon. He seems like the easy choice, the one she’s attracted to, the one she’s ready for. But will it mean losing Jewel?
In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush and what it means to be yourself when you’re not sure who that is yet.
Alice and Jewel have been best friends since grade school. Together, they don’t need anyone else, and together they blend into the background of high school. Invisible. To Alice, Jewel is the opposite of invisible. Jewel is her best friend who goes to indie concerts and art shows with her. Jewel scoffs at school dances with her. Alice is so comfortable around Jewel that she can talk to him about almost anything.
But she can’t tell him that she likes the cool, popular Simon. Simon asks her to the school dance the same day that Jewel kisses her for the first time. Still, she can’t say no to Simon. He seems like the easy choice, the one she’s attracted to, the one she’s ready for. But will it mean losing Jewel?
In a bright debut novel set against the lively backdrop of Seattle, Alice must learn the difference between love and a crush and what it means to be yourself when you’re not sure who that is yet.
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 8, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 131 reviews
July 26, 2016
While I liked the slowly built back friendship of Jewel and Alice, Alice slowly coming out of her shell and gaining some new friends in her classmates, her love of art and her glass blowing course, bonding with her parents, etc, I didn't much care for the whole Simon and Alice thing.
Honestly, I kind of found those moments a little boring. I don't know, seemed it took me a little longer to read this one. I like the story and some of the characters and the writing style at least.
Also, you'd think Alice would just tell Jewel. You'd think her best friend would I don't know be understandable or something. Anyway, an okay but has its moments kind of read.
Honestly, I kind of found those moments a little boring. I don't know, seemed it took me a little longer to read this one. I like the story and some of the characters and the writing style at least.
Also, you'd think Alice would just tell Jewel. You'd think her best friend would I don't know be understandable or something. Anyway, an okay but has its moments kind of read.
February 8, 2008
Yesterday I became overwhelmed by how many books I had going at once. So what did I do? Started (and finished) a new one. The Opposite of Invisible came in on hold yesterday, though, so I picked it up on my break. And stayed up past 1 to finish it. Solid contemporary YA - although I had to laugh when Alice said she only has one friend. At the Mock Printz, the teen in my group had noticed this YA trend of characters with only one friend, and she said it drove her crazy. But be appeased teen readers of the world, she makes more friends. That part was very nicely done, plus I had a great sense of (and empathy for) Alice as a person, and the arc that her relationship with Simon rang true. Some of the details felt a little self-consciously placed - specific locations, details about her family, articles of clothing - and that distracted me from the narrative, particularly since it was told in the first person. But overall, it’s a good look at the high school dynamic, with decently well-rounded characters (apart from the football player who keeps eying Alice like a piece of meat) and believable emotions.
January 14, 2010
If I were forced to describe this book in just one word, that would be BORING. Absolutely, incredibly boring. It’s so short that you would think it’s impossible to get bored in such a short amount of pages, but, hey, it’s never too late for that. You may say that it’s my fault, that I knew what this was about, that it is supposed to be a predictable book, but I disagree. A lot of 100% predictable YA books are definitely not boring. As opposed to this book.
As weird as it may sound, everything happens way too fast and way too slow. Slow, because it is boring. (Oh. Have I already said that? Well, I’m not joking, it IS boring. Is it clear enough?). Fast, because the chronological time in the book is just too short, and fifteen-year-old Alice is all so worried about her virginity, and thinking about taking her relationship with Simon to the next level (oh! Sex!) when they have been going out for about... one week. Yup.
The characters are totally decaffeinated: Alice, Simon, Vanessa, Mandy, Jewel (actually, Jewel is the best character, though he only has some dialogue lines in the beginning and the end, so I’m not sure if that counts)... They all feel like pod people, all the time, and I couldn’t even make myself care about them, or their intentions.
So... I just wouldn’t recommend this book. To anyone. Period.
As weird as it may sound, everything happens way too fast and way too slow. Slow, because it is boring. (Oh. Have I already said that? Well, I’m not joking, it IS boring. Is it clear enough?). Fast, because the chronological time in the book is just too short, and fifteen-year-old Alice is all so worried about her virginity, and thinking about taking her relationship with Simon to the next level (oh! Sex!) when they have been going out for about... one week. Yup.
The characters are totally decaffeinated: Alice, Simon, Vanessa, Mandy, Jewel (actually, Jewel is the best character, though he only has some dialogue lines in the beginning and the end, so I’m not sure if that counts)... They all feel like pod people, all the time, and I couldn’t even make myself care about them, or their intentions.
So... I just wouldn’t recommend this book. To anyone. Period.
July 11, 2015
What's the difference between a Crush and Love? between Love and best friendship?
The story is about Alice, She loves art and takes Glassblowing classes. She has a bestfriend named Jewel (I thought it's a girl, but Jewel is a guy). He is talented and weird. They've done things together and enjoyed each others company.She knows him so well and they talked about everything except for one thing.
Alice never shared to him her secret crush Simon, a football player and he's a popular guy at school.
When she dated Simon, things changed between her and Jewel, they didn't talk and Jewel dated Vanessa (Alice's old friend). She's happy that she dated her crush, but something makes her feel uncomfortable, she'd hurt Jewel's feelings (Jewel likes her more than friendship).In the end, Alice chose Jewel instead of Simon.
It's nice to have a feeling when you are dating your crush, your heart just skip a beat and you'll feel warmness on your cheeks. But you just like that person because of Physical aspects or maybe his popularity and skills, in the end 'TRUE COLORS' will appear and that you would just realized something.
A Best friend, he/she knows everything about you and the moments you've shared for a long time, you are going to reminisce everything, those happy and sad times.. A best friend accepts you for who you are. and that's a fact.
Thumbs up for Liz Gallagher!
The story is about Alice, She loves art and takes Glassblowing classes. She has a bestfriend named Jewel (I thought it's a girl, but Jewel is a guy). He is talented and weird. They've done things together and enjoyed each others company.She knows him so well and they talked about everything except for one thing.
Alice never shared to him her secret crush Simon, a football player and he's a popular guy at school.
When she dated Simon, things changed between her and Jewel, they didn't talk and Jewel dated Vanessa (Alice's old friend). She's happy that she dated her crush, but something makes her feel uncomfortable, she'd hurt Jewel's feelings (Jewel likes her more than friendship).In the end, Alice chose Jewel instead of Simon.
It's nice to have a feeling when you are dating your crush, your heart just skip a beat and you'll feel warmness on your cheeks. But you just like that person because of Physical aspects or maybe his popularity and skills, in the end 'TRUE COLORS' will appear and that you would just realized something.
A Best friend, he/she knows everything about you and the moments you've shared for a long time, you are going to reminisce everything, those happy and sad times.. A best friend accepts you for who you are. and that's a fact.
Thumbs up for Liz Gallagher!
December 11, 2008
Once you meet Alice, you'll want to either be her, or be her best friend. Okay, maybe I can't safely guarantee that. But I sure did love Alice. When we first meet Alice, we see an invisible girl. Not an outcast, not a loner. But someone usually invisible with the popular people in her school. Her best friend is a guy named Jewel. But he's not just her best friend, in a way he's her only friend. But then Simon enters the picture. He's newish. He's popular. And he notices--really notices--Alice. The more time she spends with Simon, the less time she spends with Jewel. And soon that friendship is threatened. What's a girl to do when two guys want to be with her? When she likes them both?
There is something so right about Gallagher's writing. It's satisfying, appealing, easily accessible. The characters. The storytelling. This one just begs to be read.
He looks at me.
He keeps looking at me. With those eyes.
Then he does something amazing. Puts his fingers under my chin.
Simon Murphy, whose perfect girl had to be a cheerleader. That's what I thought. That's what Jewel and I joked about.
He kisses me. He kisses me with candy still on his lips.
So quickly I'm not sure it really was a kiss.
If it was, it was my first.
My heart is trying to beat itself out of my chest. I hope he can't feel it. I hope he can. My toes are bent up in my shoes.
Then he kisses me again, for real. (43)
And here's her description of her planet wobbling moment with Jewel
Jewel is just ahead of me. I stumble and he turns around to grab my hand. We each have our junk shop bag in one hand, and now we have each other's fingers in the other...Jewel keeps my hand. We let our bags rest on the stone.
Then my planet wobbles.
His hand.
That wanting-to-be-close feeling starts to come over me again. I have the urge to lay my head on Jewel's sweatshirt, on his shoulder. To feel how solid he is.
Did kissing Simon release something in me? Or would I feel this way toward Jewel right now anyway?
As if we're at the slow-motion point in a movie, Jewel reaches across my body to my cheek. He pulls my face toward his. His fingers feel like hot ice. They're cold but they burn me.
My eyes close as he kisses me.
I kiss him back, a dream I've never had.
This kiss is so soft, it's almost like rain falling on my face.
I've never realized the softness of Jewel's hair before.
His skin.
Jewel kissing me, me kissing him, feels like a rocket.
Like blastoff.
Finally, I pull away.
I'm thinking we shouldn't be doing this. I'm thinking it feels too real...
He says "Wow."
I think, Tell me about it.
I think, Have you honed your mind-reading skills yet, 'cause I hope not...(52-53)
I'll leave the rest to your imagination...as to who she chooses. The Opposite of Invisible is the perfect kind of teen romance. I definitely recommend it.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
There is something so right about Gallagher's writing. It's satisfying, appealing, easily accessible. The characters. The storytelling. This one just begs to be read.
He looks at me.
He keeps looking at me. With those eyes.
Then he does something amazing. Puts his fingers under my chin.
Simon Murphy, whose perfect girl had to be a cheerleader. That's what I thought. That's what Jewel and I joked about.
He kisses me. He kisses me with candy still on his lips.
So quickly I'm not sure it really was a kiss.
If it was, it was my first.
My heart is trying to beat itself out of my chest. I hope he can't feel it. I hope he can. My toes are bent up in my shoes.
Then he kisses me again, for real. (43)
And here's her description of her planet wobbling moment with Jewel
Jewel is just ahead of me. I stumble and he turns around to grab my hand. We each have our junk shop bag in one hand, and now we have each other's fingers in the other...Jewel keeps my hand. We let our bags rest on the stone.
Then my planet wobbles.
His hand.
That wanting-to-be-close feeling starts to come over me again. I have the urge to lay my head on Jewel's sweatshirt, on his shoulder. To feel how solid he is.
Did kissing Simon release something in me? Or would I feel this way toward Jewel right now anyway?
As if we're at the slow-motion point in a movie, Jewel reaches across my body to my cheek. He pulls my face toward his. His fingers feel like hot ice. They're cold but they burn me.
My eyes close as he kisses me.
I kiss him back, a dream I've never had.
This kiss is so soft, it's almost like rain falling on my face.
I've never realized the softness of Jewel's hair before.
His skin.
Jewel kissing me, me kissing him, feels like a rocket.
Like blastoff.
Finally, I pull away.
I'm thinking we shouldn't be doing this. I'm thinking it feels too real...
He says "Wow."
I think, Tell me about it.
I think, Have you honed your mind-reading skills yet, 'cause I hope not...(52-53)
I'll leave the rest to your imagination...as to who she chooses. The Opposite of Invisible is the perfect kind of teen romance. I definitely recommend it.
© Becky Laney of Becky's Book Reviews
April 9, 2021
The Opposite of Invisible is a sweet YA romance. It's predictable but cute. I really liked the main character's love for her Picasso print of the dove girl.
June 4, 2009
Alice and Jewel are the same person. Best friends since they can remember, they are both outsider artists; everyone thinks Jewel is gay because Alice is the only person he ever talks to, and Alice just doesn’t talk at all to anyone else. They both like the same quirky, gory, and eccentric stuff that can be found in Seattle. They are never apart, and yet no one else sees them. They are invisible.
However, as a high school sophomore, Alice is beginning to want something more. She has a major crush on Simon Murphy, a popular and gorgeous football player who is clearly out of her league. So Alice can hardly believe it when Simon starts talking to her. Pretty soon they are apparently an item—the oddest, most incomprehensible item the school has ever seen, perhaps. There’s no pretense about Simon when he’s around her, though. He is a genuinely good and sincere guy who understands his popular crowd is not all that great sometimes and envies the artsy crowd—Alice included—for being able to be themselves.
But her budding relationship with Simon puts a strain on Alice and Jewel’s friendship, which was so close they were practically a couple. A week ago Alice had no prospects; suddenly she was stuck choosing between two. Either she begins a new life with the guy of her dreams and explore a new social life, or she remains with Jewel and continues to be invisible to the rest of the world.
Which one will Alice choose? Or can she have both?
I absolutely loved this book because all the characters are so real. There are no annoying stereotypes because it seems like every character defies them. There are no easy answers because, well, that’s life, and Liz Gallagher portrays it so very sweetly. This is a short and quick read, but it will linger with you.
However, as a high school sophomore, Alice is beginning to want something more. She has a major crush on Simon Murphy, a popular and gorgeous football player who is clearly out of her league. So Alice can hardly believe it when Simon starts talking to her. Pretty soon they are apparently an item—the oddest, most incomprehensible item the school has ever seen, perhaps. There’s no pretense about Simon when he’s around her, though. He is a genuinely good and sincere guy who understands his popular crowd is not all that great sometimes and envies the artsy crowd—Alice included—for being able to be themselves.
But her budding relationship with Simon puts a strain on Alice and Jewel’s friendship, which was so close they were practically a couple. A week ago Alice had no prospects; suddenly she was stuck choosing between two. Either she begins a new life with the guy of her dreams and explore a new social life, or she remains with Jewel and continues to be invisible to the rest of the world.
Which one will Alice choose? Or can she have both?
I absolutely loved this book because all the characters are so real. There are no annoying stereotypes because it seems like every character defies them. There are no easy answers because, well, that’s life, and Liz Gallagher portrays it so very sweetly. This is a short and quick read, but it will linger with you.
June 7, 2010
I am so glad I found this book. Granted, it isn't a long book, but it has a powerful message that is more important than the number of pages. I liked the character of Alice. Maybe because every teenage girl goes through a point in her high school life that she wishes she could be more than what she is. Alice wants to explore outside her cocoon that she has been living in. She has a wonderful friend in Jewel, who yes is a boy, but she has a crush on Simon. Simon is one of the popular group, and even though Alice is in the artistic crowd, they begin a relationship. Yet just as Alice and Simon start to talk to each other, Jewel professes his love for Alice. Alice must decide which boy is the right path. Unfortunately, Alice picks the wrong path. She finds herself falling down the rabbit hole, trying to figure out what she should do. Finally she figures out what she wants and realizes that she wasn't invisible to everyone, she was just insecure in herself.
You can't help but fall for each of the characters in the story. It is a simple, teen read that packs a strong punch in life lesson. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read the author's next book.
You can't help but fall for each of the characters in the story. It is a simple, teen read that packs a strong punch in life lesson. A book I thoroughly enjoyed and can't wait to read the author's next book.
November 10, 2016
I loved this book I could not put it down the second I picked it up. I loved how Alice finally came out of her shell and went after Simon Murphy who she thought was "out of her league" The best part of the whole book was the fact that she didn't want to be with Simon she'd rather have stayed friends with Jewel, or maybe even more than that. The idea of Alice and Jewel being best friends ever since he moved to town and then Jewel kissing her on the troll. It was definitely a page turner, and I'd recommend this to anyone who loves cheesy romance drama like this!
May 7, 2008
I was frustrated because Alice didn't seem to change much over the course of the book, and in the end she went back to the status quo, with only minor differences.
April 17, 2009
Predictable story with undeveloped secondary characters.
August 19, 2009
boring teen book, I would not recommend it to my daughter, dwells to much on 'finding' yourself as a teen.
June 29, 2012
Couldn't put it down!
May 21, 2008
reads like a boring diary, static dialogue and not any reason early on for me to care to continue.
June 23, 2018
2.5 stars
It was a light read with simple conflict. The main girl, Alice, feels lonely and dreams of coming out of the "cocoon" that she's in. She only has one close friend, Jewel, an artistic guy who everyone at school thinks is gay. Alice has a crush on Simon, a popular football player at school, but when she prayed to her "Dove Girl" (a peaceful looking girl in a poster that she talks to) asking to go out with a guy, she didn't imagine that the guy would be her out-of-her-league crush. Now that Simon is within her reach, she struggles with losing her best friend Jewel and starting to lose her sense of self, while not knowing how to talk to anyone about it all besides her Dove Girl poster.
It's not a very exciting read but it still wasn't bad. Not the best writing, but I still liked it because I saw a part of myself in it. It made me feel nostalgic I suppose. Would have been a good book for me to read when I was younger and struggling with similar issues.
It was a light read with simple conflict. The main girl, Alice, feels lonely and dreams of coming out of the "cocoon" that she's in. She only has one close friend, Jewel, an artistic guy who everyone at school thinks is gay. Alice has a crush on Simon, a popular football player at school, but when she prayed to her "Dove Girl" (a peaceful looking girl in a poster that she talks to) asking to go out with a guy, she didn't imagine that the guy would be her out-of-her-league crush. Now that Simon is within her reach, she struggles with losing her best friend Jewel and starting to lose her sense of self, while not knowing how to talk to anyone about it all besides her Dove Girl poster.
It's not a very exciting read but it still wasn't bad. Not the best writing, but I still liked it because I saw a part of myself in it. It made me feel nostalgic I suppose. Would have been a good book for me to read when I was younger and struggling with similar issues.
July 17, 2018
At the beginning I was really enjoying the dynamic between the characters but throughout the middle and end of the book I was not rooting for anyone. I also really did not like the repetition again and again how 'it felt like a movie' and the whole boyfriend ordeal wasn't my favorite. I really did not like Simon and thought his little quirks were really forced and not interesting. Overall I was really dissatisfied and disappointed with this book.
October 27, 2017
I think it was a very interesting and relatible book.
August 14, 2019
troppo lento.
Want to read
July 19, 2020elibrary
August 31, 2020
Still love Seattle and Glassblowing. Less glassblowing then I remember from my first reading in High School.
October 6, 2020
pretty ok, a bit simpler reading and not my favorite ending
February 25, 2025
Well that ended fine. One sitting. Nice!
February 10, 2009
I liked it a lot. It was a cute story about a girl (Alice) who thinks she knows what she wants, but finds that she really wants is what she already had.
There was a pretty profound statement in the book. Something like, "The things that are 'meant' to be are the ones that feel right." That's not it, exactly, but I think that was the sentiment. When Alice's dating the one guy, something inside her tells her that it's just not... right. She doesn't pick up on it terribly quickly, like I did, but that's okay. We all learn at different paces. (Plus, at 25 (10 years older than Alice), I'd BETTER know more than her about boys!) Since I'm Mormon, I read that and thought Light of Christ... that force within you that helps you distinguish what is right and true and what is not; aka your "conscience" (but more than a conscience, I think).
Ms. Gallagher's writing style was very unique. It was all written in first-person, which is not something I see a lot of. I think first-person can be good and it can be really bad. At first, I was a bit wary of it, but as I got into the story, I forgot it was even IN first-person! (I think this is a sign of good writing. To me, good writing sucks you into the story, so that you can't pay attention to things like that. With bad writing, I end up critiquing the wording, etc. the whole time.)
Also, because it was first-person, we not only follow Alice around and observe what she does, we also think with her. This results in a lot of very short sentences... It was very... staccato-ey, especially when Alice was confused--unsure about what she should do. I think this works really well, because, after all, who thinks in nice flowy sentences? I know I sure don't!
It was still different, because I'm just used to legato-ey writing. But, again, once I got into the story, I didn't notice. Which is actually not strictly true. Staccato-ness (I'm having a great time making up words) gives emotion to the story. When the sentences are going by very quickly, it builds tension. And like I said before, when she's confused and unsure and the sentences are short, it's really easy to freak out with her. :)
Now, let me be honest, I'm partial to staccato, and use it frequently in my own writing... although I tend to do a lot of mixing. I use it more for emphasis, I think, than to evoke emotion, although now that I think about it, I wrote this one thing that did exactly that. BUILD UP. Gosh, I love that.
On a completely different note, I think if I had a male character named Julian who went by "Jewel", I would spell it Jule. All I can say about "Jewel" is that it's not very surprising that people at the school thought he was gay with a nickname like that. (I actually really like the name Julian, thanks to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine... :) )
There was a pretty profound statement in the book. Something like, "The things that are 'meant' to be are the ones that feel right." That's not it, exactly, but I think that was the sentiment. When Alice's dating the one guy, something inside her tells her that it's just not... right. She doesn't pick up on it terribly quickly, like I did, but that's okay. We all learn at different paces. (Plus, at 25 (10 years older than Alice), I'd BETTER know more than her about boys!) Since I'm Mormon, I read that and thought Light of Christ... that force within you that helps you distinguish what is right and true and what is not; aka your "conscience" (but more than a conscience, I think).
Ms. Gallagher's writing style was very unique. It was all written in first-person, which is not something I see a lot of. I think first-person can be good and it can be really bad. At first, I was a bit wary of it, but as I got into the story, I forgot it was even IN first-person! (I think this is a sign of good writing. To me, good writing sucks you into the story, so that you can't pay attention to things like that. With bad writing, I end up critiquing the wording, etc. the whole time.)
Also, because it was first-person, we not only follow Alice around and observe what she does, we also think with her. This results in a lot of very short sentences... It was very... staccato-ey, especially when Alice was confused--unsure about what she should do. I think this works really well, because, after all, who thinks in nice flowy sentences? I know I sure don't!
It was still different, because I'm just used to legato-ey writing. But, again, once I got into the story, I didn't notice. Which is actually not strictly true. Staccato-ness (I'm having a great time making up words) gives emotion to the story. When the sentences are going by very quickly, it builds tension. And like I said before, when she's confused and unsure and the sentences are short, it's really easy to freak out with her. :)
Now, let me be honest, I'm partial to staccato, and use it frequently in my own writing... although I tend to do a lot of mixing. I use it more for emphasis, I think, than to evoke emotion, although now that I think about it, I wrote this one thing that did exactly that. BUILD UP. Gosh, I love that.
On a completely different note, I think if I had a male character named Julian who went by "Jewel", I would spell it Jule. All I can say about "Jewel" is that it's not very surprising that people at the school thought he was gay with a nickname like that. (I actually really like the name Julian, thanks to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine... :) )
January 20, 2012
This book caught my eyes, because when i think of the opposite of invisible i think of visble (also i think of them just saying visible), so i had this little argument with myself of how the titles vary. It all started with a simple friendship between Julian and Alice. Julian is called Jewel by Alice, because it was easier to pronounce. Them two became best friends, because of their artistic skills which drawn them together with a similar interest. Alice, a pretty girl with no fashion senses. She always wear the most awkward clothing that dont match and have this high pony tail that looks messy. She was the outcast in school, so is Jewel. On the other hand, the most popular guy, Simon, goes over to Alice and talks to her. Alice that day is in an outfit made by her fashionable mom, Simon thought she was beautiful. They end up going out, but jewel and her relationship was going downhill. Jewel also liked Alice, but he never tells her until he knew he was too late. But Alice realizes who she should be with, not the popular but someone that she can trust and stay with - Jewel. In the end, they ended with a hug, but my prediction is that they will become couples.
I liked this book, because i thought it really interesting. Since everything that is going on in that book can happen anywhere in life, losing a best friend and gaining a boyfriend. I always thought friendship is more important than relationships. Friends are who that will always be there for you, but relationships are always hurtful (according to many dramas :). Friends are important, without a friend there would be no one to stand up for you, no one to be there for you. i learned to treat my friends well, because losing a friend is really easy, but gaining back their trust is real hard. I enjoy this book so much, even though it took me a while to read, i thought i really liked it. There are some words i didnt understand, so i had to keep reading backwards. I recommand this book to teenagers, because friends are better than frienemy.
I liked this book, because i thought it really interesting. Since everything that is going on in that book can happen anywhere in life, losing a best friend and gaining a boyfriend. I always thought friendship is more important than relationships. Friends are who that will always be there for you, but relationships are always hurtful (according to many dramas :). Friends are important, without a friend there would be no one to stand up for you, no one to be there for you. i learned to treat my friends well, because losing a friend is really easy, but gaining back their trust is real hard. I enjoy this book so much, even though it took me a while to read, i thought i really liked it. There are some words i didnt understand, so i had to keep reading backwards. I recommand this book to teenagers, because friends are better than frienemy.
August 1, 2009
Alice thinks she is invisible. The only person that seems to know her is her best friend in the whole entire world, Jewel. They are the perfect pair. They both enjoy coffee and art, and life couldn't be better. That is until the blood bath dance rolls around. Alice wants desperately to go with the star football player Simon Murphy and never thinks it could happen in a million years. Then the impossible happens. Simon Murphy kisses Alice - the same day Jewel kisses Alice. Alice is overwhelmed. Overcome by emotions Alice goes with the perfect guy, Simon Murphy. They quickly bond, and Simon soon asks Alice to go to the Blood Bath dance. This sends her friendship with Jewel over the edge and it seems like they are no longer best friends. Alice and Simon's relationship gets serious pretty fast, but Simon's a good guy and leaves all the decisions up to Alice. All Alice wants is a friend to confide in. She realizes that Jewel is the only person that has ever been her friend. She soon comes to see that it's o.k. to branch out and that in all reality she is not the slightest bit invisible, if only she puts a little effort in.
I loved this book. I want Alice to be my best friend! She is a thoughtful character who I see so much of myself in. Liz Gallagher created an extremely vivid setting of Seattle, WA. I felt like I was walking the same streets as Alice and I could almost feel the rain dripping on my forehead. The other characters besides Alice also had great depth. Sometimes I feel like authors only put their effort into creating the main character, but not in this case. Each character had their own personality and set of quirks, which made me feel like I really knew them. All in all I highly recommend this fabulous book, and I look forward to seeing what Liz Gallagher has in store for readers next!
I loved this book. I want Alice to be my best friend! She is a thoughtful character who I see so much of myself in. Liz Gallagher created an extremely vivid setting of Seattle, WA. I felt like I was walking the same streets as Alice and I could almost feel the rain dripping on my forehead. The other characters besides Alice also had great depth. Sometimes I feel like authors only put their effort into creating the main character, but not in this case. Each character had their own personality and set of quirks, which made me feel like I really knew them. All in all I highly recommend this fabulous book, and I look forward to seeing what Liz Gallagher has in store for readers next!
October 26, 2008
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.To her surprise, Simon waves goodbye to her at school, and then he happens to be at the same concert. And he comes over to talk to her instead of standing with his friends! Things are starting to look up. Suddenly Alice doesn’t feel so invisible.
Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because it just so happens that Jewels feelings may be more than just friendship, because he also happens to kiss her . 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.
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.To her surprise, Simon waves goodbye to her at school, and then he happens to be at the same concert. And he comes over to talk to her instead of standing with his friends! Things are starting to look up. Suddenly Alice doesn’t feel so invisible.
Everything changes when Simon kisses her, because it just so happens that Jewels feelings may be more than just friendship, because he also happens to kiss her . 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.
November 10, 2012
Reviewed by Jaglvr for TeensReadToo.com
Alice and Jewel (Julian). That's how it's always been. A seemingly invisible pair of sophomores at their high school. They've been friends for forever and are never without the other.
Until the day Simon Murphy acknowledges Alice.
Jewel jumps all over Alice, asking what it was about, but it wasn't anything, really. Was it? Then Alice and Jewel go to a concert and Simon comes over to Alice while Jewel is in the restroom, and stays with the two of them throughout the show. Simon went so far as to ditch his friends to be with Alice. Nothing happens, and it leaves Alice more confused than before.
Alice has wanted a boyfriend for ages, but she doesn't want to lose Jewel in the process. When things with Simon actually start working out, the distance between Alice and Jewel grows. After a confession from Jewel about his true feelings for her, the chasm seems insurmountable. Alice is finally coming out of her shell and making friends beyond Jewel, but losing her best friend leaves a void inside.
Alice has to struggle to figure out who she is and what she really wants. Is having a great guy like Simon as a boyfriend what it's all about? Or is having a best friend that knows every little thing about you more important?
All young adults have to struggle with an identity issue as they go through their teen years. Alice realizes that she needs more than just Jewel in her life, but soon learns that a best friend is next to impossible to replace.
Ms. Gallagher writes an honest book about the internal struggles of an insecure girl. We all have that same insecurity inside of us and can understand what Alice has to figure out on her own. Definitely a book that everyone can relate to from some point in their lives.
Alice and Jewel (Julian). That's how it's always been. A seemingly invisible pair of sophomores at their high school. They've been friends for forever and are never without the other.
Until the day Simon Murphy acknowledges Alice.
Jewel jumps all over Alice, asking what it was about, but it wasn't anything, really. Was it? Then Alice and Jewel go to a concert and Simon comes over to Alice while Jewel is in the restroom, and stays with the two of them throughout the show. Simon went so far as to ditch his friends to be with Alice. Nothing happens, and it leaves Alice more confused than before.
Alice has wanted a boyfriend for ages, but she doesn't want to lose Jewel in the process. When things with Simon actually start working out, the distance between Alice and Jewel grows. After a confession from Jewel about his true feelings for her, the chasm seems insurmountable. Alice is finally coming out of her shell and making friends beyond Jewel, but losing her best friend leaves a void inside.
Alice has to struggle to figure out who she is and what she really wants. Is having a great guy like Simon as a boyfriend what it's all about? Or is having a best friend that knows every little thing about you more important?
All young adults have to struggle with an identity issue as they go through their teen years. Alice realizes that she needs more than just Jewel in her life, but soon learns that a best friend is next to impossible to replace.
Ms. Gallagher writes an honest book about the internal struggles of an insecure girl. We all have that same insecurity inside of us and can understand what Alice has to figure out on her own. Definitely a book that everyone can relate to from some point in their lives.
December 19, 2016
4.2 stars. This was just a cute little love story. Emphasis on little. This book was super short and yet it didn't feel like it was too short. I liked Alice's relationship with Simon. It really felt like he liked her a lot, which was adorable. I loved the part when he said that she'd been his best friend lately. I'd been rooting for her and Jewel, but when Simon said that, I was like no don't break up with him! Poor Simon. I kind of have mixed feelings about Alice and Jewel. I love when best friends fall in love with each other, but like I'm pretty sure Jewel is gay. Which is funny, because that's what everyone at their school thought. At the beginning of this book, I was getting some very strong Naomi and Ely's No Kiss List vibes. Plus his name is Jewel, not Jul like short for Julian (which is his name) but Jewel. And then he pretty much disappeared for a lot of the book so like I'm still pretty convinced he's gay. Which is super disappointing, because otherwise I probably would have absolutely loved Jewel and Alice together. Something I really didn't like was the whole Dove Girl thing. That was just weird and kind of made her seem younger. I like how she's friends with Mandy now and how their friendship is going to continue even though she's not dating Simon anymore. I liked the ending and I didn't like it. I wish Alice and Jewel could have actually gotten together, but I also like how she just wanted to get back to being friends with him first. Yay for cute, super short books that help you complete your Goodreads Reading Challenge. Almost there!
June 4, 2008
A charming little book from new author Liz Gallagher, The Opposite of Invisible follows a Seattle high school student as she struggles to find her identity away from the shadow of her best friend and the superficial labels of her classmates.
Alice goes through her days feeling invisible, except to her best friend Jewel (Julian). The two have been inseparable for years, sharing lattes, art classes, and family holidays. Jewel's attention is enough for Alice, until she catches the eye of a popular football player named Simon. Soon, Jewel becomes jealous, and Alice finds herself in the previously unthinkable position of having to decide between two boys.
This could have been a cookie-cutter teen romance, but Gallagher works hard to avoid the generic. Her supporting characters have dimension and the dialogue isn't overly contrived. Though a few "hip" references seem forced and out-of-place, she does succeed in capturing the fragile nature of young relationships. In the end, the sensitivity and understanding she shows for Alice's struggle and Jewel's wounded heart keep this from being another throwaway teen novel.
Definitely an author to keep an eye on, Liz Gallagher clearly remembers how confusing high school can be. For those of you who have forgotten, let her (and Alice) remind you of how awkward and beautiful it can be.
Alice goes through her days feeling invisible, except to her best friend Jewel (Julian). The two have been inseparable for years, sharing lattes, art classes, and family holidays. Jewel's attention is enough for Alice, until she catches the eye of a popular football player named Simon. Soon, Jewel becomes jealous, and Alice finds herself in the previously unthinkable position of having to decide between two boys.
This could have been a cookie-cutter teen romance, but Gallagher works hard to avoid the generic. Her supporting characters have dimension and the dialogue isn't overly contrived. Though a few "hip" references seem forced and out-of-place, she does succeed in capturing the fragile nature of young relationships. In the end, the sensitivity and understanding she shows for Alice's struggle and Jewel's wounded heart keep this from being another throwaway teen novel.
Definitely an author to keep an eye on, Liz Gallagher clearly remembers how confusing high school can be. For those of you who have forgotten, let her (and Alice) remind you of how awkward and beautiful it can be.
June 17, 2014
Fans of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” will like this. Fans of about 2/3 of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” will like this even more, because that’s a good estimate of how much content this book provides. 151 very airy pages in my edition.
The narrator, Alice, is 15, with some familiar boy trouble. There’s Jewel, the sweet-as-can-be childhood friend who’s hinting he might want more. And then there’s Simon, the too-cool-for-words uber-popular hottie who is surprisingly sensitive at first, but might turn wolf at any moment. Even though the setup is familiar, Gallagher keeps the action focused and fun.
The backdrop is current-day Seattle – with teen namedrops of savvy trendy lunch spots and lattés and hoodies and Deathcab for Cutie. There’s also plenty of talk about sexy clothes, and sexy kisses, and sexy sex. But nothing too graphic. And nothing much else. Alice makes new friends among the cool crowd, and takes a glass blowing workshop, and talks to a Picasso print on her bedroom wall about what’s really important – all the kisses and sexy and sweet and boys boys boys. She seems a bit young and otherwise tame for some of her wilder impulses, but that’s part of what makes the story zip along.
Gallagher doesn’t try to wrap up everything, and there are several predictable tracks to follow for a sequel, if she ever decides to go that route.
The narrator, Alice, is 15, with some familiar boy trouble. There’s Jewel, the sweet-as-can-be childhood friend who’s hinting he might want more. And then there’s Simon, the too-cool-for-words uber-popular hottie who is surprisingly sensitive at first, but might turn wolf at any moment. Even though the setup is familiar, Gallagher keeps the action focused and fun.
The backdrop is current-day Seattle – with teen namedrops of savvy trendy lunch spots and lattés and hoodies and Deathcab for Cutie. There’s also plenty of talk about sexy clothes, and sexy kisses, and sexy sex. But nothing too graphic. And nothing much else. Alice makes new friends among the cool crowd, and takes a glass blowing workshop, and talks to a Picasso print on her bedroom wall about what’s really important – all the kisses and sexy and sweet and boys boys boys. She seems a bit young and otherwise tame for some of her wilder impulses, but that’s part of what makes the story zip along.
Gallagher doesn’t try to wrap up everything, and there are several predictable tracks to follow for a sequel, if she ever decides to go that route.
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