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stephxsu's review against another edition
5.0
INVISIBLE LINES surprised and delighted me with its compelling voice, age-appropriate humor, and heartfelt story line. This is a true middle-grade winner that deserves to be read by everyone!
To start, Mary Amato slips easily into the voice of a seventh-grade boy. Trevor makes all the funny comments that we wished we could’ve made in middle school to be well-liked, and yet he does everything without the least hint of malice. He is genuinely compassionate with his brother and sister (both of whom have lively and memorable personalities of their own) while simultaneously having the typical adolescent concerns about being accepted, having the right friends, and owning brand names.
Every component of this novel is well put together, from fully fleshed-out characters to the science lessons on mushrooms to the bumps in Trevor’s relationships with his new friends and family. Parents will want their sons to be like Trevor, while younger readers will clamor to be Trevor’s friend. This is the first of Mary Amato’s books that I’ve read, but with the quality and cohesiveness of INVISIBLE LINES, I know it won’t be my last!
To start, Mary Amato slips easily into the voice of a seventh-grade boy. Trevor makes all the funny comments that we wished we could’ve made in middle school to be well-liked, and yet he does everything without the least hint of malice. He is genuinely compassionate with his brother and sister (both of whom have lively and memorable personalities of their own) while simultaneously having the typical adolescent concerns about being accepted, having the right friends, and owning brand names.
Every component of this novel is well put together, from fully fleshed-out characters to the science lessons on mushrooms to the bumps in Trevor’s relationships with his new friends and family. Parents will want their sons to be like Trevor, while younger readers will clamor to be Trevor’s friend. This is the first of Mary Amato’s books that I’ve read, but with the quality and cohesiveness of INVISIBLE LINES, I know it won’t be my last!
sean67's review against another edition
3.0
Decent read about kid going through struggles with family and bullying at school. Some very fine moments in this tale, with signs that Amato could be a very good author. I will look out for anything else she may have written.
mon_ique's review against another edition
4.0
Language was so-so, and that is about all the cons I can think of about this book.
The good things are almost endless.
Art!!:)
Comedy!!!
Empowering message about standing up and rising above the bullying!!!
Wonderful writing that made me feel suffocated along with Trevor when everything seemed to just go wrong. I felt the frustration and the hopelessness in Trevor's situation.
I very much liked the other books this author wrote, so, extra points.
Although, it only got 4 stars, it will be one of those books that you can't help loving.
Langley was AWESOME! Along with Markus (when he wasn't talking about stealing), Juan, Mr. Fungus, and Diamond.
The good things are almost endless.
Art!!:)
Comedy!!!
Empowering message about standing up and rising above the bullying!!!
Wonderful writing that made me feel suffocated along with Trevor when everything seemed to just go wrong. I felt the frustration and the hopelessness in Trevor's situation.
I very much liked the other books this author wrote, so, extra points.
Although, it only got 4 stars, it will be one of those books that you can't help loving.
Langley was AWESOME! Along with Markus (when he wasn't talking about stealing), Juan, Mr. Fungus, and Diamond.
nerfherder86's review against another edition
4.0
Seventh grader Trevor is trying to fit in at his new school, where his wealthier friends play on the travel soccer team that he knows he can't afford to join. He and his younger sister live with their single mom in a low income apartment complex, where his mom just barely gets by. Trevor has artistic talent, and can earn a few dollars making graffiti-esque designs for classmates, but in trying to get on that soccer team he gets in some trouble at school. He also helps a girl at school who is suffering from abuse at home, although she complicates his life for awhile. And throughout the story he's learning all about mushrooms and fungi from a cool science teacher--I loved the teacher and the cartoony drawings Trevor does for his science notebook. A good book about realistic problems some kids face, and a super character who is able to rise above them.
punchofwishes's review against another edition
4.0
A story about a funny kid struggling with poverty and how to prove himself in his new upperclass school. Very educational about mushrooms especially!
katiecoops's review
4.0
I love books written about teenage boys and I really like books that address issues that aren't typical in teen reads. This book really hit me hard as I'm a middle school teacher with kids much like Trevor in my classes. It made me think even more about how much their home lives affect how they do in school. Such a great book. I also liked how there was never a physical description of Trevor or his family (his little brother has brown eyes, but that's it) so you don't know if he's black, white, Hispanic or Asian which makes it so much better. I'm so glad it never made that clear because the kind of life he had has nothing to do with skin color. I'd recommend this to kids and adults alike.
abookishstar's review
5.0
I got to read a ARC of Invisible Lines By Mary Amato. WOW am I glad that Beth contacted me at first I was very iffy because it didn't seem like my type of book, also it's rated for younger kids not teens, but once I started reading I forgot all my worries. I mean I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR YOUNGER KIDS AND TEENS A ND EVEN ADULTS. I mean the book is such a realistic view of the world. It has realstic dialogue too. Mary Amato tackles a lot of issues that are big in our world. For example: Bullying, not getting everything we want, domestic violence, and ect. This book was simply amazing. It's fast paced and is funny. Trevor is a very relatable character, he has problems that most of us face: trying to fit in and not having a dad around 24/7. Trevor learns that it doesn't matter if your rich or poor or where you come from. Also you shouldn't judge people on status either. I'd probably could write 10 pages of what I liked but you guys probably would get bored so all I'm going to say is I seriously recommend this book. I had a bad week this week, mainly bullying issues, so when I read Trevor's story I could relate to Trevor somewhat and I really liked his mother's advice to raise above it. The next time I face my bulliers I'm going to raise above it. The only complaints I have is I wish they could of had less science stuff *even though I do realize that was a main part in the story* because I'm not smart in that area so it was hard to keep up and understand it. The other thing I wish the bullying could of started earlier between Xander and Trevor then later. That all I have to complain about. Now who is going to read Invisible Line when it comes out?
luminescentfirefly's review
5.0
One of the main things that really touched me in this book was this kid's determination. He has a hard life, and it reminds you that the world isn't perfect, and everyone has their own difficulties. So many people just don't care about these kinds of things and therefore, nothing ever makes a difference. Reading this book almost made me cry because it's so meaningful. The main character's personality was amazing. He is also very talented, and I have to admit, I'm jealous of this guy's talents. If he was real, this guy would be my best friend. But, my REAL best friend would either be BFFs with him, or they would be worst enemies.
amdame1's review
4.0
"Everybody has a line... figure out where it is and don't cross it."
Trevor struggles to find these invisible lines when he moves to a new school. His single mom never finished high school and is struggling to support 3 kids. While some of the kids at school also have money problems, abuse issues and the like, others are clearly affluent and appear to have it made. Trevor is torn between groups - both in his classes and soccer teams. Using humor and art, he finds a balance, learns a lot, and makes some good friends.
Well-written, addresses some tough issues. Pretty realistic except for Langley who seems too good to be true.
Trevor struggles to find these invisible lines when he moves to a new school. His single mom never finished high school and is struggling to support 3 kids. While some of the kids at school also have money problems, abuse issues and the like, others are clearly affluent and appear to have it made. Trevor is torn between groups - both in his classes and soccer teams. Using humor and art, he finds a balance, learns a lot, and makes some good friends.
Well-written, addresses some tough issues. Pretty realistic except for Langley who seems too good to be true.
mldavisreads's review
5.0
Just got this book at my school library and thought it looked interesting. I read it straight through and enjoyed it. A realistic fiction/ coming-of-age story that is filled with trivia about... mushrooms! Trevor is the oldest child of three, living with his mother and his two younger siblings. The story starts as they move into a run-down apartment building that fortunately is in a good school district. Trevor gets by with his wit, his artistic skills, and his mother's advice to rise above. A beautiful story about family, being true to yourself, and the power of community, If you are as likely to cry as I am, you may also need a few tissues.