Things Not Seen

How does Bobby’s sudden invisibility change his outlook toward his parents? Why does it do this?

What is it about Bobby’s plight that makes him pay attention to Alicia, someone he might have otherwise ignored?

Though he’s promised his parents to keep it a secret, Bobby decides to tell Alicia, someone he barely knows, about his predicament. Explain why he chooses her and why he feels the need to tell her about it.

Explain why Alicia, who’s blind, and Bobby, who’s invisible, make a good team.

Bobby uses his invisibility to sneak into places and situations where normally he’d be refused access. Does he use his powers for good or evil? Explain with examples.

When he’s at a dead end in trying to figure a way out of his predicament, what does Bobby do to move forward? Give two examples, and explain for each how Bobby’s admiration for Sherlock Holmes motivates him.

Bobby’s mom angrily confronts the truancy officer when Bobby fails to show up for school. She knows this will lead to a police search of the Phillips residence, but she does it anyway. Suggest two reasons why she does so, and how it gives them extra time to solve the problem.

Alicia distracts Sears employees while Bobby sneaks into one of their offices to obtain vital information, but in doing so Alicia has a major success of her own. Describe her achievement, and explain how it affects both her and Bobby.