The Invisible Boy

Author: Trudy Ludwig

Illustrator: Patrice Barton

Intended Audience: PreK - 3rd Grade

Published: 2013

Pages: 40 pages

About the book: Brian, a quiet boy in a class of colorful kids with big personalities, feels invisible. But a new kid at school values Brian’s personality and talents, befriends him, and helps others in the class recognize what a bright, colorful person Brian is. Finally, Brian feels seen and included.

Readers Guide:

1. How did Brian change from the beginning of the story to the end? How did the illustrations show the change?
2. Have you ever felt that you didn’t fit in with a group? How did that feel?
3. Why are friends important? What qualities does a good friend have?
4. What would you do to help Brian feel seen and cared about? What could the whole class do?
5. Justin is the new kid at the school. What could everyone do to make sure he feels welcome?
6. Justin notices that Brian is great at drawing. What are you great at? What have you noticed your classmates are great at?

Activity for readers: 

Ask students as a group to pretend Brian is their classmate and to brainstorm how they could help him feel included. Then ask them to draw the action they would take to make sure he felt visible. Ask students to share their drawings with their classmates, explaining their choices.