Things Not Seen

The questions inside

One per chapter, across all 27 chapters — every question is editable before you print.

1. Chapter 1: Bobby wakes up and discovers something impossible has happened to him. What clues show him that this is real and not just a dream?
2. Chapter 2: How do Bobby's parents react when they learn he is invisible? What does their reaction tell you about their family?
3. Chapter 3: Bobby and his parents start making a plan. Why do they decide to keep Bobby's condition a secret, and do you think that is a wise choice?
4. Chapter 4: How does being invisible make everyday things, like being at home or thinking about school, feel different for Bobby?
5. Chapter 5: Bobby's problem becomes more serious when his parents cannot help him in the usual way. What new responsibilities does Bobby have to face?
6. Chapter 6: What does Bobby learn about taking care of himself while he is mostly on his own? Use details from the chapter.
7. Chapter 7: Bobby has to follow rules to stay safe and hidden. Which rule or problem would be the hardest for you, and why?
8. Chapter 8: Bobby meets Alicia at the library. Why is this meeting important to the story?
9. Chapter 9: Alicia is blind, so she understands the world differently from Bobby. How does that change the way she notices and talks to him?
10. Chapter 10: What details show that Bobby is beginning to trust Alicia? Why is trust important in this chapter?
11. Chapter 11: Bobby keeps a huge secret from Alicia. Why might keeping this secret protect him, and why might it also hurt their friendship?
12. Chapter 12: When Alicia learns more about Bobby, how does her reaction help you understand her character?
13. Chapter 13: The title is Things Not Seen. What is something in this chapter that is not seen with eyes but is still important?
14. Chapter 14: What outside pressures make it harder for Bobby's family to keep the secret? How do these pressures raise the tension?
15. Chapter 15: Bobby's parents try to solve the problem in a logical way. How does science or careful thinking help them search for answers?
16. Chapter 16: Based on the clues so far, what do you predict caused Bobby to become invisible? Explain your thinking.
17. Chapter 17: Compare Alicia's family with Bobby's family. How are they alike or different in the way they try to protect their children?
18. Chapter 18: What does Bobby learn about Alicia's feelings and struggles? How does this change the way he sees her?
19. Chapter 19: One theme of the book is that being seen can mean being understood. How does this chapter show that idea?
20. Chapter 20: Bobby takes risks to look for answers. Which risk seems the biggest to you, and why does he take it anyway?
21. Chapter 21: How do phone calls, records, or small clues help Bobby and the others move closer to solving the mystery?
22. Chapter 22: New information makes Bobby's situation seem connected to a larger problem. How does this change the stakes of the story?
23. Chapter 23: How do Bobby, Alicia, and the adults work as a team in this chapter? What does each person add?
24. Chapter 24: Which character shows the most courage in this chapter? Use one example to support your answer.
25. Chapter 25: As the solution gets closer, what worries or dangers still remain for Bobby?
26. Chapter 26: During the most intense part of the story, what does Bobby have to do, and what emotions do you think he feels?
27. Chapter 27: By the end of the book, how has Bobby changed? What lesson or message do you think the author wants readers to remember?

Example answers

Printed at the front of the booklet, so your reader can see what a strong answer looks like.

Chapter 1: Bobby wakes up and discovers something impossible has happened to him. What clues show him that this is real and not just a dream?

I think Bobby knows it is real because he cannot see his own body, even when he is fully awake. He tries to do normal things, but everything feels strange and scary because he is really invisible. If it were a dream, he might wake up quickly, but the problem keeps going. This makes the first chapter feel surprising and serious.

Chapter 8: Bobby meets Alicia at the library. Why is this meeting important to the story?

I think meeting Alicia is important because Bobby finally has someone outside his family to talk to. Alicia is blind, so she does not react to him the way other people might. She listens to him and notices him in a different way. This meeting starts an important friendship that helps Bobby feel less alone.

Chapter 27: By the end of the book, how has Bobby changed? What lesson or message do you think the author wants readers to remember?

By the end of the book, I think Bobby is braver and more honest than he was at the beginning. He learns that hiding from everyone does not solve every problem. He also learns that people can care about you for who you are, not just how you look. I think the author wants readers to remember that everyone wants to be truly seen and understood.