I'm actually a senior citizen, so maybe I shouldn't be reviewing this. This is a humorous version of the books that I hated most as a child: the ones that always showed that anger is always misplaced because one is either failing to be sufficiently understanding, or one doesn't know enough about the situation (not that anyone ever explained.) This goes in more for the final redemptive scene, as though one is supposed to believe that everything is going to fine now. When Jacob Have I Loved came out, I rushed to buy my own copy.

The book is narrated by Frank, presumably about nine, whose sister Elizabeth has a genetic condition, Formus Disappearus, that makes her invisible, and does the same to her clothing. This would be very difficult to cope with, but her parents seem to be missing, too. Elizabeth is thirteen, and her family has moved 8 times in ten years, so she has been running everyone ragged since she was three or four, possibly because that's when her brother was born.. The parents seem to have no idea of what to do, except placate Elizabeth at any cost, blame Frank, and pretend everything is fine. All they offer their son, Frank is injunctions to be "understanding," although they seem quite set on not understanding how life is for him. This unfortunately, is how things often go in life -- are you being bullied? -- well let's pretend it's not happening or doesn't matter because we don't want to take any responsibility. This isn't helping Elizabeth, either.

This supposedly comes to a reasonably happy ending, with brother and sister reconciled cliche, which supposedly blots out the past and the the likely future. Elizabeth is extremely mean and very volatile -- so much so, that it is hard to believe it when she is supposedly benevolent. One has to wonder what she's really up to. When she offers him a hug, I'm surprised that he doesn't leap up and flee in case she really plans to box his ears. Even though they have just moved, again, at her demand, she trips her brother when he is trying to carry a box of china, deflates the tires of a neighbor child for no reason other than general malice, and works to create problems for her family. I can't understand why, at The Big Party, when Frank sees the cake wafting through the air, apparently carried by an invisible person that he takes to be his sister, he tries to tackle her. Whatever he thinks she might be planning, it can't be worse!

So, maybe I'm making too much out of what was intended to be funny and heart-warming, but I've seen enough of these lopsided relationships in real life, that it just makes me sad. ( )

In the book My Invisible Sister by Beatrice Colin and Sarah Pinto, 10 year old Frank Black (the narrator) moved with his family to Morningvale Circle. In his life, he had moved many times and this time he hoped the family would stay put. His sister Elizabeth was completely invisible. I think this book is very entertaining and a great read.

The day Frank moved to Morningvale Circle, the kid next door was outside trying to blow up his bike tires. Frank instantly new Elizabeth was causing trouble already. Every time the kid blew up one tire, Elizabeth would deflate the other. Frank saw this as a chance to make a new friend. Frank ended up helping the kid whose name was Charlie and they became friends.

Frank’s dog was named Bob and Frank always felt comfortable talking to him because he could tell him anything. Elizabeth can sometimes be mischievous and get Frank in to a lot of trouble. Frank’s neighbor he calls Mr. Hedge loves to clip his trees and bushes into “ornamental sculptures”. He seems out of his mind but Frank is always respectful to him. Another neighbor he calls “Harassed Mother” is a mother of five obnoxious children. “Gnome Lady” is also a neighbor who has many gnomes in her backyard.

On poor Frank’s first day at Grovesdale Junior High School, he has to tell his new classmates about Elizabeth! Fortunately, they thought it was amazing for someone to have an invisible sister. Unfortunately, they all started showering him with embarrassing questions like “Does she wear any clothes?”. His school year was going okay so far but Elizabeth’s wasn’t. After a couple days of school, the two go to a band concert and Frank is humiliated in front of a massive crowd. After that, on Halloween he had to take “Harassed Mother’s” children trick-or-treating. Then his dad sings in his high school auditorium although Elizabeth tried to stop him and his friends by taking their equipment. At the end of the story, Elizabeth was standing under a street light and Charlie and Frank see a glimpse of her! How could that happen?

Characters

Frank: Frank is the main character of the story and is also the narrator. He is Elizabeth’s brother and tries to keep himself and her out of trouble however he can. Sometimes though, she can get in the way and be extremely irritating. He is 10 years old and has moved many times and is frankly getting tired of it.

Elizabeth: Elizabeth is Frank’s older sister. She is completely invisible and gets in everyone’s way all of the time. She is extremely mischievous and sneaky. Also, she is always trying to get Frank in trouble. She is 13 years old.

Charlie: Charlie was Frank’s new friend when Frank and his family moved into Morningvale Circle. Frank helped Charlie “blow up his bike tires” which lead to their friendship. He is also 10 years old like Frank.

Dad: Frank’s dad is pretty laid back. Almost always though, Frank gets blamed for what his sister does, (even though she claims that she is the one that always gets in trouble). He likes to sing in his band and says that he is still a teen at heart. Elizabeth thinks that this is “hilarious”.

Mom: Frank’s mom is laid back also. Elizabeth tries to get Frank in trouble by making him drop his mom’s last box of china glass plates but his mom did not get too mad fortunately. She is a welcoming and an understanding person.

“Mr. Hedge”: Aka General X, this old man loves clipping his bushes and trees in his yard into shapes such as Santas, swans, Mona Lisa, and more. He seems crazy and off the hook but is generally nice. He is fond of Frank (aka Elf one) and Charlie (aka Elf two).

“Harassed Mother”: “Harassed Mother” is an overworked mother of five crazy children. Frank has to babysit the kids at Halloween and take them trick-or-treating! It was a disaster! The children were insanely crazy!

“Gnome Lady”: This old woman is not in a lot of the story but she has a lot of gnomes in her backyard and Frank thinks it is a little odd.

Bob: Bob is Frank’s dog. This dog is extremely smart. Every time he hears his name, he barks twice and comes running. Anytime Frank is in distress, he sits and listens to Frank while he talks to him.

My Invisible Sister has similarities and differences when comparing it to another book called Sarah Plain and Tall written by Patricia MacLachlan. In My Invisible Sister, Frank and Elizabeth move to other places constantly and in Sarah Plain and Tall, Sarah moves from her house by the sea in Maine to a widower’s house in the plains. The widower’s name was Jacob. Also, in Sarah Plain and Tall, Caleb (one of Jacob’s two children) loves listening to the record player their aunts gave them and listening to Sarah sing. Elizabeth loved listening to Green Day on her CD player. Some differences are that Frank and Elizabeth live in a neighborhood but Sarah and Jacob end up living in the plains. One last difference is that Sarah Plain and Tall is set in the late 1800’s but My Invisible Sister is probably set in modern day time since the clues in the book state that they have TVs, cars, CDs, movies, (references to Star Wars), and also technology. It doesn’t state the actual time period in the book.

My Invisible Sister is an odd book. I enjoyed this story because of all of the ups and downs. Also, another reason I liked this book is because of all the humor the authors Beatrice Colin and Sarah Pinto used. There were a few things that I didn’t care for though. One example is when the main character Frank and his friend Charlie get in a fight and won’t talk to each other for a while. Fortunately, the two finally apologize to each other and make up. I feel this story is definitely unique because of Frank’s sister Elizabeth. Elizabeth is invisible.The authors could have made this book better by adding even more humor. I recommend this book to everyone of any age. I really enjoyed it and hope that whoever reads it will enjoy it too! ( )

Reviewed by Kira M for TeensReadToo.com

Frank is tired of moving. He's lived in eight different houses in ten years.

The reason: his invisible sister, Elizabeth.

Cursed with Formus Disappearus, a rare genetic disease that makes her invisible, his sister is always unhappy with wherever they live. Because of that, Elizabeth takes it upon herself to make Frank miserable. This time, however, is different. Frank meets Charlie and they hit it off as friends right away. Elizabeth, though, is already talking about getting their family to move again.

Can Frank find a way to make Elizabeth fit in and want to stay?

A quick, fun read for reluctant readers. The character are likable, and the plot is fairly well-developed. Those who have always wanted to be invisible, have annoying siblings, or who enjoy realistic fiction, friendship, and school stories will all enjoy reading MY INVISIBLE SISTER. ( )