INVISIBLE ISABEL
By: Sally J. Pla
Illustrated by: Tania de Regil
Published: July 9, 2024
Publisher: Quill Tree Books
Middle-Grade Fiction
Isabel is one of six children in her family. Two older sisters are teenagers and mostly ignore her. Her two youngest siblings are twin terrors. Then she has an older middle-school brother who just wants to play his video games. Her house is chaotic and loud and Isabel feels mostly invisible.
At school, her teacher, Mrs. Pickel, has a stern face and frequently seems to be disappointed in Isabel. Isabel used to have friends. Even though several of her classmates have been in school with her since Kindergarten, they seem to mostly ignore her. Especially since the new girl, Monica, arrived. Isabel also feels invisible at school.
Sometimes when Isabel feels overwhelmed by noises, homework, or teasing, she starts to rock back and forth in her chair and her stomach starts to hurt. One day, after so much disappointment and pressure to do well on a test, her stomach starts to really hurt, but no one seems to be listening.
Kids who have difficulty with social situations or struggle to make friends will relate to Isabel. Kids who identify as neurodivergent will find Isabel’s struggles similar to their own. Most importantly, every child should read this to learn how to be kind, sensitive to others, and, be a good friend.
Pla writes so realistically from the mind of an elementary school kid. I felt like I could imagine a girl like Isabel in a classroom at school. Illustrations pop up throughout the book to keep the reader engaged and give the reader an image to identify. The characters looked just as I imagined they would, especially Mrs. Pickel.
Schools across the United States are in their first few days and weeks of school and I can’t think of a better book to read aloud to a classroom or purchase for a child in your family. Reading this book as a family and then discussing how we treat classmates who have a hard time at school, sit alone at lunch, or struggle with playing at recess is such a great way to encourage kindness.
Sally J. Pla is the ALA Schneider Award-winning author of THE FIRE, THE WATER, AND MAUDIE McGINN, as well as the Dolly Gray Award-winning THE SOMEDAY BIRDS and several other popular novels and picture books. Her books have starred reviews and appear on many state awards lists and “best books” roundups. Sally, who is neurodivergent, has appeared on television and radio as an author and autism advocate. She also runs the website resource A Novel Mind (anovelmind.com). Sally believes in kindness, respect, and the beauty of different brains. We are all stars shining with different lights! Visit her at www.sallyjpla.com.
Tania de Regil is an author and illustrator from Mexico City. She is the creator of the ALA Notable Children’s Book A New Home as well as Something About Grandma, and she is the illustrator of Welcome to the Big Kids Club, written by Chelsea Clinton. She studied fashion design at Parsons School of Design in New York City and finished her studies in her home country of Mexico. She lives in Mexico City with her filmmaker husband, her son, and her two cats. For more information, visit her at taniaderegil.com.
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Posted Under Book Review, Children's books, fiction, Friendship, middle-grade, neurodiversity, Sally J. Pla, Tania de Regil