Clements, Andrew. Things not seen.

Penguin Putnam, Philomel. 252p. c2002: 00-069900. $15.99. J

Bobby Phillips, age 15, wakes up one morning, goes to comb his hair in the mirror--and sees no reflection. He's become invisible, and while there are some advantages, like sneaking around unseen, it quickly proves to be a big problem. He tells his parents, of course, but fearing he would become an experimental subject they try to keep Bobby's condition hidden from the world. He can't go to school, naturally, but the school quickly becomes suspicious, and tries to investigate his absence. Bored at home, Bobby sneaks out to the library, where he bumps into a blind girl, Alicia. They become close friends, and she helps him to finally figure out how to reverse his condition.

As the title hints, this is a tale about sight and insight, as well as the fanciful theme of actual invisibility. Bobby's growing relationship with Alicia is a major part of it, along with trying to keep Bobby's problem hidden and finding the solution to it. I wish Clements, the author of Frindle and other books for young readers, had spent more time exploring the upside of invisibility; mostly Bobby worries about his invisibility, rather than having any fun with it. Still, the intriguing premise of the story will keep readers turning the pages. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT