Seventh-grader Trevor Musgrove has just moved with his mother and two younger siblings to a run-down apartment complex called Hedley Gardens, which everyone calls "Deadly Gardens." Trevor's life--full of money worries, babysitting, and hand-me-downs--is a far cry from his well-off classmates, especially the popular soccer stars Xander and Langley. But Trevor is determined to use his optimism and ever-present sense of humor to give himself a new start, despite his family troubles.
Unfortunately, Trevor's humor both helps him (by helping him make friends and earn his cool science teacher's respect) and harms him (by making an enemy of Xander). When assumptions based on his poverty land him in trouble, Trevor must learn to hold his head high and do the right thing--which is not usually the easy thing.
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!
Unfortunately, Trevor's humor both helps him (by helping him make friends and earn his cool science teacher's respect) and harms him (by making an enemy of Xander). When assumptions based on his poverty land him in trouble, Trevor must learn to hold his head high and do the right thing--which is not usually the easy thing.
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!
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Even with the odds stacked against him, Trevor Musgrove proves that determination and a sense of humor can work wonders.
Moving to a new school has its challenges. Trevor, his mother, and his two younger siblings are moving into a new apartment. It is a pretty crappy place with smelly hallways, broken elevators, and a definite criminal element. Unfortunately, it's all they can afford. All three kids wear secondhand clothes and sleep on mattresses from a place called Save the Children. Trevor's mom works two jobs and that leaves him babysitting the two younger kids when he'd rather be playing soccer and hanging out with his new friends.
School could offer a breath of fresh air for Trevor. The kids from his underprivileged neighborhood attend school along with a bunch of rich kids from a different part of town. Trevor discovers himself in a science class for gifted kids in something known as the Summit program. At first he is worried about not making the grade, but once he meets the unusual teacher and starts learning amazing things about mushrooms, he finds out learning is fun and easier than he ever imagined.
A big soccer fan, Trevor also finds he has a chance to try out for an elite traveling soccer league. When he mentions it to his overworked mother, she immediately says no way. "Too expensive" and "who will babysit while she has to work" are her reasons for saying no, but Trevor doesn't give up easily. He secretly attends the tryouts and gets a place on the team. It sounds like good news, but that's when everything else begins to go wrong.
INVISIBLE LINES by Mary Amato is a fast-paced story of one boy and his fight to help his family, make his mother proud, and meet the challenges of an accelerated program. Amato combines soccer, art, and science in a tale that will grab readers on page one.
Aimed at a middle grade audience, INVISIBLE LINES is excellent for independent reading or for use with a group. The characters are typical middle school students in situations that will provide discussion material as well as entertainment.
Even with the odds stacked against him, Trevor Musgrove proves that determination and a sense of humor can work wonders.
Moving to a new school has its challenges. Trevor, his mother, and his two younger siblings are moving into a new apartment. It is a pretty crappy place with smelly hallways, broken elevators, and a definite criminal element. Unfortunately, it's all they can afford. All three kids wear secondhand clothes and sleep on mattresses from a place called Save the Children. Trevor's mom works two jobs and that leaves him babysitting the two younger kids when he'd rather be playing soccer and hanging out with his new friends.
School could offer a breath of fresh air for Trevor. The kids from his underprivileged neighborhood attend school along with a bunch of rich kids from a different part of town. Trevor discovers himself in a science class for gifted kids in something known as the Summit program. At first he is worried about not making the grade, but once he meets the unusual teacher and starts learning amazing things about mushrooms, he finds out learning is fun and easier than he ever imagined.
A big soccer fan, Trevor also finds he has a chance to try out for an elite traveling soccer league. When he mentions it to his overworked mother, she immediately says no way. "Too expensive" and "who will babysit while she has to work" are her reasons for saying no, but Trevor doesn't give up easily. He secretly attends the tryouts and gets a place on the team. It sounds like good news, but that's when everything else begins to go wrong.
INVISIBLE LINES by Mary Amato is a fast-paced story of one boy and his fight to help his family, make his mother proud, and meet the challenges of an accelerated program. Amato combines soccer, art, and science in a tale that will grab readers on page one.
Aimed at a middle grade audience, INVISIBLE LINES is excellent for independent reading or for use with a group. The characters are typical middle school students in situations that will provide discussion material as well as entertainment.
