What not to do if you turn Invisible by Ross Welford

HarperCollins, 2016. ISBN 9780008156350
(Age: 10+) Highly recommended. Genres: Fiction, Comedy, Magic. There are many reasons to love this funny, playful, yet emotional book. Some may know the author of this book through another of his creations; Time Travelling with a Hamster. This book undeniably conforms to its reputation. Its light and adventurous themes didn't fail to entertain me, as much as it would a middle grader, or for that matter - an adult. The reader follows a girl who has 'horrendous' zits, and who just wanted a way to cure them. With a sunbed and a mixture of untested medicines to cure her acne, she may have found the secret to invisibility (You'll have to read it to believe it). You cannot help but love the protagonist, Ethel, as she develops in many ways through the book.
Ethel has come from a rocky past and lives with her Grandmother in London. She is bullied for her excessive amounts of acne and deals with many matters in her search for identity. She makes close friends with a boy named Elliot, which is a testament to her personality. Only through this cautionary tale, does she uncover a mystery and discover her enlightened self.
I became consumed in the predicaments that you can imagine follow a girl who can become invisible. I was constantly torn between anxious suspense and guilty cries of laughter. The journey of the Ethel was very fast paced, but the author didn't fail to carry me through each scene and surround me with all of his heart-warming characters. The character development was definitely a dominating feature, and overall sold the story to me. The ending wrapped the story up perfectly, without being too heavy, or conversely unstated.
The character of Ethel has certainly earned a place in my heart. I would recommend this book to anyone from ages 10 to 100. You can only benefit from enjoying this tale.
Ethan Russell (Student)