INVISIBLE ISABEL, by Sally J. Pla and Tania de Regil, Quill Tree Books, July 9, 2024, Hardcover, $19.99 (ages 8-12)
An introverted girl struggles to speak up as worries begin to mount in Invisible Isabel, a new middle-grade novel by Sally J. Pla.
Isabel Beane is a shy girl who lives in a home full of havoc and hubbub and hullabaloo. With five siblings, there is always too much too much-ness.
At school, there’s a new girl who is immediately popular, but she’s also not very nice to one person—Isabel.
Isabel has never felt more invisible. She begins to get bombarded by fears, like being abandoned by her classmates and taking the upcoming Extremely Important standardized test. Her fears feel like worry-moths that flutter in her belly. With every passing day, they seem to get stronger and stronger. How can Invisible Isabel make people listen? —Synopsis provided by Quill Tree Books
I’m a big fan of Sally J. Pla (The Fire, The Water, and Maudie McGinn). She speaks directly to her audience with a warmth and familiarity while providing fresh, new characters that tug at your heart.
In Isabel, readers find a girl who craves quiet, who knows what helps calm her, but often abstains because her behavior is seen as distracting. Isabel is a girl with a lot of worries. Worries that seem to multiply. It’s only when she learns to speak up that she learns how wonderful being different can be.
Invisible Isabel is a novel-in-verse that’s accessible in length — 200 pages — and features sweet illustrations sprinkled throughout. The book is an excellent introduction to the concepts of anxiety and neurodivergence for younger readers. Pla’s gentle prose provides a reassurance many are seeking. It’s a lovely read and would be an excellent addition to any home or classroom library.
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