The Adventures of Invisible Boy

by Doogie Horner, Doogie Horner (Illustrator)

Overview

In this hilarious debut middle grade graphic novel, when an impossible wish comes true, a wild adventure begins!

"Can't be missed!" —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth

Think your wildest wish can’t come true? Just wait!

It’s his first day at a new school, and Stanley wishes he could disappear. He can hardly believe it when, after a big spill at the science fair, POOF! Stanley is invisible! It’s awesome! He can do anything he wants, and no one will know!

But Stanley isn’t the only one who turned invisible. The inventor of the potion is not happy about the accident and takes his anger out on kids all over town.

Stanley wants to use his power for good . . . which means going up against the one person who can make him visible again.

Get ready for a battle of the ages.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780593532683
Publisher:	Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication date:	01/30/2024
Series:	Invisible Boy , #1
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	176
File size:	65 MB
Note:	This product may take a few minutes to download.
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Doogie Horner is an author, illustrator, and comedian. He is the illustrator of Quirk Books' Kid Legends series, and his other books include This Might Hurt a Bit, Some Very Interesting Cats Perhaps You Weren't Aware Of, Everything Explained Through Flowcharts, and 100 Ghosts.

Editorial Reviews

10/16/2023

Horner (This Might Hurt a Bit) channels vintage Cartoon Network–esque tomfoolery in this hilarious graphic novel romp. The eponymous Invisible Boy, also known as Stanley, is the new kid in town. Stressing over his unpreparedness for the upcoming school science fair and feeling lonely due to his seeming inability to make friends, Stanley yearns to disappear, believing that all his problems would be solved. Fortunately (or unfortunately) for him, classmate Gene (short for “Genius”) has concocted a goo that could be the world’s best spot cleaner... or perhaps the first-ever disappearing serum. In a madcap chain of events, Stanley is covered in globules of the vanishing stuff and becomes invisible. But with his newfound power comes unexpected responsibility. Horner’s straightforward illustrations are inviting, and the plot is replete with clever gags stuffed into every panel—as when the aforementioned stain remover suddenly loses the all-important “I” once Stanley is doused—making for an easy-going, fun-to-read treat that juxtaposes belly laughs with thoughtful explorations of anxiety. Stanley and Gene are rendered with pale skin; the supporting cast is portrayed with varying skin tones. Ages 8–12. (Jan.)

Publishers Weekly

Praise for The Adventures of Invisible Boy:

A Junior Library Guild selection

* “[Horner’s] unique humor throughout the text provides genuine laughs and unexpected character reactions. . . Horner pulls back for moments of serenity, as the two protagonists struggle with making friends and finding their place, which further adds to the charm and authenticity of a story that could easily have become cliché. His artistic style feels reminiscent of Calvin and Hobbes, giving a simple and timeless feel to the book while simultaneously adding to the ridiculousness of the situations and the superhero action. A surprise hit.” –Booklist (starred review)

“Packed with witty humor and thrilling adventure, this graphic novel will draw fans of ‘Captain Underpants’ and belongs on middle grade library shelves. . . Horner skillfully delves into deep themes such as parental expectations, social acceptance, and self-worth in a manner that will resonate with middle graders. The exciting build-up to the epic climax of the story will keep readers wanting more and eager for the promised follow-up.” –School Library Journal

“Horner channels vintage Cartoon Network–esque tomfoolery in this hilarious graphic novel romp . . . [The] illustrations are inviting, and the plot is replete with clever gags stuffed into every panel . . . An easy-going, fun-to-read treat that juxtaposes belly laughs with thoughtful explorations of anxiety.” —Publishers Weekly

“Raucous . . . Action-packed artwork feels reminiscent of comic strips or animated shows . . . A fun-filled adventure that celebrates the true superpowers of the middle-grade imagination: chaos and creativity.” —Kirkus Reviews

“On the first day of school, a new kid and an evil genius are about to collide. Our hero may be invisible—but The Adventures of Invisible Boy can't be missed!” —Max Brallier, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Last Kids on Earth

“Wonderfully fun and inventive! Doogie Horner is truly a mad scientist of comics, and he's created an endlessly delightful madcap adventure of mayhem and mischief in this book.” —Chad Sell, author of The Cardboard Kingdom series

From the Publisher

04/12/2024

Gr 3–8—It's the day of the big science fair at school, and new kid Stanley spills Gene the Genius's project, leading to an accident that leaves both boys invisible. While Gene uses his new ability to wreak havoc around town, Stanley becomes Invisible Boy and spends his time helping others however he can. Desperate to find an antidote, Stanley visits Gene's lair and activates several of his inventions, leading to a bubble bath explosion, a robot Owl, freeze bombs, and more. When the invisible boys begin to work together to prepare the antidote, they discover the power of friendship and collaboration. This graphic novel is a quick read with fast-paced dialogue and inner-thought narration. With vibrant, cartoon-style illustrations of various sizes and panel designs, readers will stay engaged with the exciting adventures of the characters. Despite the light, comic tone of the superhero plotline, Horner skillfully delves into deep themes such as parental expectations, social acceptance, and self-worth in a manner that will resonate with middle graders. The exciting build-up to the epic climax of the story will keep readers wanting more and eager for the promised follow-up.VERDICT Packed with witty humor and thrilling adventure, this graphic novel will draw fans of "Captain Underpants" and belongs on middle grade library shelves.—Angie Jameson

School Library Journal

2023-10-21
Two dramatically different boys acquire the power of invisibility, with raucous results.

Stanley is anxious about starting a new school—it’s the middle of the year, and everyone else already knows each other. He’s also poorly prepared for the Science Fair, for which he creates a wonky robot cobbled together from recyclable materials. Gene, an aspiring scientist with a collection of crackpot inventions, has a far more ambitious entry: a powerful stain remover. Both Stanley and Gene become drenched in the mixture and are rendered invisible. Stanley, in stealth mode, explores his new town and enjoys relief from social pressures. Meanwhile, Gene, incensed that Stanley’s robot has won first prize, takes revenge, secretly wreaking havoc by vandalizing bikes and destroying Stanley’s treehouse. Though Stanley’s search for justice and an invisibility antidote drives the plot, the book’s buzzy energy relies on Gene’s zany creations. The conflict between aspiring hero and eager villain reaches its apex in Gene’s basement laboratory, where the two battle each other using Gene’s collection of contraptions in a broadly comical, captivating denouement. In the wake of this destruction, the boys’ final reconciliation opens the door for more creative adventures. Action-packed artwork feels reminiscent of comic strips or animated shows; Stanley recalls a particularly earnest Calvin (of Calvin and Hobbes), while Gene is reminiscent of the titular character on Dexter’s Lab. Both Stanley and Gene are white.

A fun-filled adventure that celebrates the true superpowers of the middle-grade imagination: chaos and creativity. (Graphic fantasy. 7-10)

Kirkus Reviews