She Is Not Invisible

Story

Laureth Peak may be blind, but she can see better than anyone the cryptic messages of recurring patterns, numbers and events. Her father has taught her to de-code everything, and when he goes missing, it is up to Laureth, her hidden talent and her younger brother to find him.

Why we chose it

Marcus Sedgwick has written a number of excellent books for older children and young adults, often with a very gothic feel. This is an fast paced thriller story told in the distinctive voice of Laureth.

Where it came from

Marcus Sedgwick is fascinated by the idea of recurrent patterns. He says that the number 354 has followed him throughout his life and as he wrote She Is Not Invisible, he carefully hid the number in the book as often as possible, wanting to challenge his readers to find it.

Where it went next

Among the awards the book has won are the Essex Book Award, Oxfordshire Book Award, Rib Valley Book Award and Spellbinding Book Award. It was also shortlisted for the Guardian Children’s Book Prize and Les 24 Heures du Livre, Le Mans.

Associated stories

Among the author’s most popular books are Branford Boase Award winner Floodland (2000), Revolver (2009), Midwinterblood (2011), The Ghosts of Heaven (2014), Saint Death (2016) and Snowflake, AZ (2019).