What Not To Do If You Turn Invisible

Author(s): Ross Welford

Middle Fiction

A surprising, stunningly beautiful, and funny novel about a girl who turns invisible and, in the process, discovers who she really is, from the author of TIME TRAVELING WITH A HAMSTER


Twelve-year-old Ethel Leatherhead only meant to cure her acne, not turn herself invisible. But that's exactly what happens when she combines herbs bought on the Internet with time spent in a secondhand tanning bed. At first it's terrifying to be invisible . . . and then it's fun . . . but when the effect doesn't wear off one day, Ethel is thrown into a heart-stopping adventure. With her friend Boydy by her side, Ethel struggles to conceal her invisibility, all the while unraveling the biggest secret of all: who she really is. From the talented author of Time Traveling with a Hamster comes another utterly original, deeply poignant--and humorous--novel about a girl who, by disappearing, will write herself into your heart forever.

This is such an awesome book, that I kept selling my copy before I could read it! Having spent many years relieving in Intermediates, I totally buy these characters as real 12/13 year-olds; not kids any more, independent but definitely not teenagers, this can be a hard age to write, to write for and to be. And definitely a difficult age to find books for.

Twelve year-old Ethel Leatherhead (known as 'pizza-face') is covered in acne - not just a few spots but pustules all over her face, neck, back...all the way down to her legs. Her old friends have found new friends, and the only person who wants to know her is Elliot "Smelliot" Boyd who is possibly more unpopular than she is. In a last-ditch attempt to cure herself, Ethel combines 'Dr Chang his-skin-so-clear' herbal treatment with a dodgy sunbed she got for free and ends up invisible.

Being invisible is not quite as much fun as you might imagine (although still often hilarious to read) and Welford shows the real consequences of this happening to a real girl, in a real town in the north of England. Ethel's strong voice and matter-of-fact way of describing her situation and her plans are both laugh-out-loud funny and extremely relatable as she deals with bullies, finds lost dogs and lost parents, and discovers new friends - and herself.

Invisibility here is not so much about not being seen as not being able to see yourself. This is a book about finding out who you are by losing who you are - quite literally.

Perfect for anyone hitting puberty (regardless of age) but suitable for 10+

From the author of Time Travelling with a Hamster

- Lucy


Product Information

Praise for TIME TRAVELLING WITH A HAMSTER: 'The gripping suspense truly makes time fly... the book's heart and humour are hard to resist.' Piers Torday, author of The Last Wild "Extremely clever and totally engaging." The Irish Times "Intelligent, well crafted and impressive." Nicolette Jones, The Sunday Times 'Touching, silly and exciting by turns, this thrilling little book is an inventive take on time travel for children. Sure to be a hit with fans of R.J. Palacio's Wonder... an unforgettable, madcap story from a bright new talent in Children's fiction.' Waterstones "A touching tale of family, grief and love." Daily Express 'With intriguing twists from start to finish, this story is a real roller coaster of emotions. It warmed my heart and filled my head with wonder! A fast, funny and really satisfying read that sparks your imagination.' Joseph, 10

Ross Welford was a journalist and television producer before becoming a full-time writer. He lives in London with his wife, children, a border collie and several tropical fish.

General Fields

  • : 9780008156350
  • : HarperCollins Publishers Limited
  • : Harper Element
  • : 0.29
  • : January 2017
  • : 197mm X 130mm
  • : books

Special Fields

  • : Ross Welford
  • : Paperback
  • : 1702
  • : English
  • : [Fic]
  • : 416
  • : YFC