Books.org participates in affiliate programs including Bookshop.org and the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. We may earn a commission from qualifying purchases made through links on this page, at no additional cost to you.
Overview
Seventeen-year-old Gwen is preparing to audition for New York City’s top music schools when her grandfather mysteriously disappears, leaving Gwen only a phone message telling her not to worry. But there’s nothing more stressful than practicing for her auditions, not knowing where her grandfather is, and being forced to lie about his whereabouts when her insistent great-uncle demands an audience with him. Then Gwen meets Robert, also in town for music auditions, and the two pair up to brave the city without supervision. As auditions approach and her great-uncle becomes more aggressive, Gwen and Robert make a startling discovery. Suddenly Gwen’s hopes are turned upside down, and she and Robert are united in ways neither of them could have foretold. . . .
Synopsis
Seventeen-year-old Gwen is preparing to audition for New York City’s top music schools when her grandfather mysteriously disappears, leaving Gwen only a phone message telling her not to worry. But there’s nothing more stressful than practicing for her auditions, not knowing where her grandfather is, and being forced to lie about his whereabouts when her insistent great-uncle demands an audience with him. Then Gwen meets Robert, also in town for music auditions, and the two pair up to brave the city without supervision. As auditions approach and her great-uncle becomes more aggressive, Gwen and Robert make a startling discovery. Suddenly Gwen’s hopes are turned upside down, and she and Robert are united in ways neither of them could have foretold. . . .
Publishers Weekly
Clements hits no false notes in this beguiling sequel to Things Not Seen. Narrator Gwen left her West Virginia home two years earlier to live with her ailing grandfather in Manhattan to attend a music academy on scholarship. The disciplined 17-year-old plays her violin many hours each day, practicing for auditions for a prestigious music college. But her attention is diverted when she receives a phone message from Grampa, who says he is going away for awhile and that Gwen should carry on and tell no one about his disappearance especially his brother (who co-owns the building in which he and Gwen live and is trying to pressure Grampa into selling it). After she meets Robert (the temporarily invisible Bobby from Things Not Seen), Gwen senses she has found a kindred spirit in this kind, trumpet-playing teen who shares her musical aspirations. She tells him her secret and, after the two notice a man's shadow that has no visible body casting it, Robert confides to her the story of his experience turning invisible. The novel's mysterious strain reaches a crescendo when Robert, in a heartstopping scene, opens the basement freezer looking for steaks and finds something else instead. In her credible, likable voice, Gwen observes that she wants her complicated story to have a tidy ending with "that wonderful last burst of symphonic harmony." This haunting novel's denouement has just that. Not since Frindle has Clements's writing achieved such near perfect pitch. Ages 10-up. (Sept.) Agent, Writers House. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.
Editorials
From Barnes & Noble
Gwen already has a lot on her mind; her violin auditions at Juilliard are fast approaching. But when her beloved grandfather disappears from his New York home, she can't stop worrying. Then others things start to happen. A truly creepy great-uncle begins making visits; she spots a mysterious stranger; and then her new friend Robert tells her a story about something he saw that is even stranger than these weird experiences. Before she knows it, Gwen and her musician friend are catapulted into the adventure of their young lives.Publishers Weekly
Clements hits no false notes in this beguiling sequel to Things Not Seen. Narrator Gwen left her West Virginia home two years earlier to live with her ailing grandfather in Manhattan to attend a music academy on scholarship. The disciplined 17-year-old plays her violin many hours each day, practicing for auditions for a prestigious music college. But her attention is diverted when she receives a phone message from Grampa, who says he is going away for awhile and that Gwen should carry on and tell no one about his disappearance especially his brother (who co-owns the building in which he and Gwen live and is trying to pressure Grampa into selling it). After she meets Robert (the temporarily invisible Bobby from Things Not Seen), Gwen senses she has found a kindred spirit in this kind, trumpet-playing teen who shares her musical aspirations. She tells him her secret and, after the two notice a man's shadow that has no visible body casting it, Robert confides to her the story of his experience turning invisible. The novel's mysterious strain reaches a crescendo when Robert, in a heartstopping scene, opens the basement freezer looking for steaks and finds something else instead. In her credible, likable voice, Gwen observes that she wants her complicated story to have a tidy ending with "that wonderful last burst of symphonic harmony." This haunting novel's denouement has just that. Not since Frindle has Clements's writing achieved such near perfect pitch. Ages 10-up. (Sept.) Agent, Writers House. Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.Children's Literature -
Gwen is a senior in one of the best music high schools in the nation. She is living with her grandfather in New York City and has a promising musical career. One day just before Gwen's auditions for one of the top music universities, Gwen's grandfather disappears. This is where Gwen's adventures truly begin. This realistic novel is thought provoking for all ages. The story takes the reader through all the emotions including happiness, jealousy, longing, love, grief, and fear. The book talks about difficult topics, including suicide, disabilities, and family circumstances. Parental discretion should be used when reading the book with younger children. This multi-level story is well written and will entrance the reader on page one. Clements does a great job of amalgamating realism and fantasy to keep the reader in suspense until the very last page. This novel could be used for discussion and learning during English, Psychology, or Sociology classes.KLIATT
Gwen, age 17, has come to live with her grandfather in Manhattan so she can prepare for violin auditions at the top music schools there. Then her grandfather mysteriously disappears, leaving her a message not to tell anyone he's gone, and she meets Robert, a teenager who is also in town for music auditions. Out shopping one day, they see the shadow of a man without being able to see the man himself, and Robert tells her it's an invisible man; he himself has had experience being invisible (related in Things Not Seen), he finally explains. Meanwhile, Gwen's great-uncle, desperate for money, is trying to contact her grandfather, to get him to sell the house, and the unscrupulous invisible man sees an opportunity to profit. A discovery in the basement freezer brings events to a surprising climax. Those who enjoyed Things Not Seen will want to read this sequel, but it can stand on its own. It's not quite as gripping or successful a tale, since the invisible person isn't the narrator this time around and it doesn't entirely revolve around the always-fascinating idea of what it might be like to be invisible. However, there is considerable suspense, and Gwen's strong feelings for music and her family are clearly conveyed. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2006, Penguin, Philomel, 176p., $16.99.. Ages 12 to 18.—Paula Rohrlick