A good story about how actions effect many people. The main focus is how connected we are. The narrative style is first person and works well at making the story more believable. Very well written story that younger readers will like. ( )

Grades 6-8
Trevor’s used to hardship: his dad is in jail, and his mom relies on him to watch his little brother and sister while she moves from job to job. But when they move to an even shabbier housing project and he starts at a new school, it’s hard to keep his trademark sense of humor. Things seem to be looking up when he hits it off with some guys on the soccer team—even though he’s never played on a formal team, he has always had a natural flair for the game. But these guys are from Buckingham Heights, where wealth is taken for granted, and when they invite him along to a high end soccer store, there’s no way he can tell them that the only cleats he can afford will have to come from a thrift store. As he tries unsuccessfully to convince his mom that he can juggle soccer and homework and babysitting, his one saving grace comes from an unlikely source. Accidentally enrolled in a “gifted” science course, Trevor meets Mr. Ferguson. The teacher’s knowledge of mushrooms and fungi is surpassed only by his skill at sparking curiosity. The scheduling error is soon discovered and Trevor is placed in the “correct” science class—but Mr. Ferguson, recognizing Trevor’s disappointment, encourages him to challenge the rules and submit an application for the gifted program: “If you want something badly enough, you owe it to yourself to try to get it.” In this story about overcoming obstacles, Amato shows a real flair for middle school voices. She does not back away from tough issues: abandoned children, abusive parents, and kids who steal are all part of daily life in Trevor’s housing project. While the “invisible lines” of the title could refer to class and racial barriers, Amato’s subtle sense of humor is at work, and the wordplay is her nod to the theme of connectedness among family and friends—not unlike that found in mycelia in the fungal kingdom. This fresh story is enhanced by notes and drawings from Trevor’s “Kingdom of Fungi Identification Notebook.” It should find a wide audience with its short chapters, snappy dialog, and scientific extras. ( )

Seventh-grader Trevor Musgrove has just moved with his mother and two younger siblings to a run-down apartment complex called Hedley Gardens, which everyone calls “Deadly Gardens.” Trevor’s life—full of money worries, babysitting, and hand-me-downs—is a far cry from his well-off classmates, especially the popular soccer stars Xander and Langley. But Trevor is determined to use his optimism and ever-present sense of humor to give himself a new start, despite his family troubles.

Unfortunately, Trevor’s humor both helps him (by helping him make friends and earn his cool science teacher’s respect) and harms him (by making an enemy of Xander). When assumptions based on his poverty land him in trouble, Trevor must learn to hold his head high and do the right thing—which is not usually the easy thing.

INVISIBLE LINES surprised and delighted me with its compelling voice, age-appropriate humor, and heartfelt story line. This is a true middle-grade winner that deserves to be read by everyone!

To start, Mary Amato slips easily into the voice of a seventh-grade boy. Trevor makes all the funny comments that we wished we could’ve made in middle school to be well-liked, and yet he does everything without the least hint of malice. He is genuinely compassionate with his brother and sister (both of whom have lively and memorable personalities of their own) while simultaneously having the typical adolescent concerns about being accepted, having the right friends, and owning brand names.

Every component of this novel is well put together, from fully fleshed-out characters to the science lessons on mushrooms to the bumps in Trevor’s relationships with his new friends and family. Parents will want their sons to be like Trevor, while younger readers will clamor to be Trevor’s friend. This is the first of Mary Amato’s books that I’ve read, but with the quality and cohesiveness of INVISIBLE LINES, I know it won’t be my last! ( )

Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com

Even with the odds stacked against him, Trevor Musgrove proves that determination and a sense of humor can work wonders.

Moving to a new school has its challenges. Trevor, his mother, and his two younger siblings are moving into a new apartment. It is a pretty crappy place with smelly hallways, broken elevators, and a definite criminal element. Unfortunately, it's all they can afford. All three kids wear secondhand clothes and sleep on mattresses from a place called Save the Children. Trevor's mom works two jobs and that leaves him babysitting the two younger kids when he'd rather be playing soccer and hanging out with his new friends.

School could offer a breath of fresh air for Trevor. The kids from his underprivileged neighborhood attend school along with a bunch of rich kids from a different part of town. Trevor discovers himself in a science class for gifted kids in something known as the Summit program. At first he is worried about not making the grade, but once he meets the unusual teacher and starts learning amazing things about mushrooms, he finds out learning is fun and easier than he ever imagined.

A big soccer fan, Trevor also finds he has a chance to try out for an elite traveling soccer league. When he mentions it to his overworked mother, she immediately says no way. "Too expensive" and "who will babysit while she has to work" are her reasons for saying no, but Trevor doesn't give up easily. He secretly attends the tryouts and gets a place on the team. It sounds like good news, but that's when everything else begins to go wrong.

INVISIBLE LINES by Mary Amato is a fast-paced story of one boy and his fight to help his family, make his mother proud, and meet the challenges of an accelerated program. Amato combines soccer, art, and science in a tale that will grab readers on page one.

Aimed at a middle grade audience, INVISIBLE LINES is excellent for independent reading or for use with a group. The characters are typical middle school students in situations that will provide discussion material as well as entertainment. ( )

WOW am I glad that Beth contacted me at first I was very iffy because it didn't seem like my type of book, also it's rated for younger kids not teens, but once I started reading I forgot all my worries. I mean I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK FOR YOUNGER KIDS AND TEENS A ND EVEN ADULTS. I mean the book is such a realistic view of the world. It has realstic dialogue too. Mary Amato tackles a lot of issues that are big in our world. For example: Bullying, not getting everything we want, domestic violence, and ect. This book was simply amazing. It's fast paced and is funny. Trevor is a very relatable character, he has problems that most of us face: trying to fit in and not having a dad around 24/7. Trevor learns that it doesn't matter if your rich or poor or where you come from. Also you shouldn't judge people on status either. I'd probably could write 10 pages of what I liked but you guys probably would get bored so all I'm going to say is I seriously recommend this book. I had a bad week this week, mainly bullying issues, so when I read Trevor's story I could relate to Trevor somewhat and I really liked his mother's advice to raise above it. The next time I face my bulliers I'm going to raise above it. The only complaints I have is I wish they could of had less science stuff *even though I do realize that was a main part in the story* because I'm not smart in that area so it was hard to keep up and understand it. The other thing I wish the bullying could of started earlier between Xander and Trevor then later. That all I have to complain about. ( )