Invisible [Paperback]

Jeanne Bannon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 26, 2011

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that... For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose. Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”. Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too… Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power. A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

Product Details

• Paperback: 186 pages
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform (September 26, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1466368756
• ISBN-13: 978-1466368750
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,733,553 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jeanne Bannon has worked in the publishing industry for almost 20 years. Currently, she works as a writer and freelance editor. Her first novel, Invisible will soon be published by Solstice Publishing. She is currently working on Dark Angel, a supernatural thriller.

Come visit her blog at http://beyondwordsblog.blogspot.com/

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Great for teen girls or those who are on the brunt end of a bully April 10, 2012

By LadyJai

Format:Kindle Edition

I won an e-copy of this book via the author's blog: [...]

I am a slow reader, as I like to enjoy the book. But I also am doing many other things, like writing my own. So, it took me a little while to finish this book. But what I'd like to say is, I DID finish. Unlike the last three books I've attempted to read, this story was engaging. It was easy to read. Grammar was excellent, and the plot was solid. I did enjoy this book. We all love "the underdog wins" kind of book, don't we! :D

However, there were a few things I had issues with in the book. We know Lola is supposed to be tall and overweight. I don't feel that the author accurately described Lola. I never got the picture of an obese teen. Nor did I get the feeling she was overly tall. At 5'8", that's not too far reaching. Rather, the image I feel the author painted of Lola was more "normal" than she was going for, only a little chunky, despite Nino's comments to her.

I clearly could see Charlie as the author wanted, I felt more feelings for Charlie than I did for Lola, and she wasn't the main character. I think this poses a problem.

I'm not too keen on "ugly chick gets beautiful guy". Because, let's face it, really how many times have you seen this in YOUR high school? This is just fantasy we'd all LOVE to have happen in real life. But it just doesn't. If Lola really is ugly...she shouldn't get a beautiful guy. A guy, yes, but not gorgeous.

My biggest character issue is with Gram. Gram is in her 80s, but talks and acts like a teen. I could not find anything in her character as believable, really. Though her role in the story is crucial, the character personality is wrong.

Other than those issues, I really did like this. The story, the message especially. "You have to love yourself before others will love you." This one phrase is very important and teens just don't get it. I know I didn't when I was a teen.

The bully/bully-ee conflict hits home with me, and I am sure with so many. However, I was starting to worry about the outcome. I really did not want an eye-for-an-eye type outcome. And, let's just say, I am happy with the ending! No need to spoil it for you.

I definitely would recommend it to the teen reader! Especially, someone who is on the brunt end of a bully, or a girl who is not happy with who she is.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Bullies Beware! November 30, 2011

By The Kindle Book Review

Format:Kindle Edition

Invisible by Jeanne Bannon is a delightful tale of one teenager's struggle against the stigma of being different than the crowd. Lola is a senior in high school and not only does she not fit in there, she doesn't fit in her own family. Her parents and sister are all tiny, willowy and wacky. Lola, is a tall, big girl with a penchant for writing.

When Lola experiences a particularly cruel attack by the school bullies she disappears. She struggles to figure out what happened until it happens a second time and she shares the secret with her beloved Grandma Rose. She is able to explain to Lola what is happening to her.

Lola's best friend, Charlie, another social outcast at school, helps her gain control of her power to disappear. Together they plot revenge on the bullies. When tragedy strikes, Lola must decide what course of action she will take into the future.

This is a great story that anyone who's ever gone through the teen years can enjoy. Who hasn't wanted to disappear at some point? The lessons are valuable and uplifting.
4 stars - Kate Farrell, Kindle Book Review

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Invisible December 11, 2011

By Brenda Casto

Format:Paperback

Oh how I loved this book! I can easily say this one of my favorite young adult books this year. The author portrays the characters in a very realistic manner, making this a story that will easily resonate with anyone who has ever been a victim of bullying or self esteem issues!

Lola Savullo's life has always been a struggle. She is in her senior year in high school and because of her weight and size she has always been bullied. Not only is she bullied at school, but she doesn't really see eye to eye with her parents or her sister Eva, and often wonders how they can be so different. Lola dreams of being a writer some day and hopes to win a writing scholarship at her school. There are two people she can count on though and that's her eighty year old grandmother Rose, and her best friend Charlie, who has always been bullied as well. When Lola's summer job as a camp counselor forces her to wear a bathing suit, she is mortified, and when she finally heads to the pool she hears people talking about her as if she isn't there, and quickly realizes she is invisible. A few months later after returning home from a visit from her grandmother's she is approached by the school bullies and disappears again. She knows she has to tell someone and decides to tell her best friend Charlie. Charlie sees it as a way to get revenge on the people who have tormented them for years. When Jon,a boy whom Lola has a crush on learns about her disappearing power, he thinks its cool and starts showing an interest in Lola. Will Lola ever figure out how to control her powers, and is Jon actually interested in her?

I loved the character of Lola and her best friend Charlie. At the beginning of the story my heart just ached for both of them. It was so nice to see Lola blossom through out the story. It was interesting to see that as she changed so did the relationship with her family. I thought the author did a great job of dealing with a few tough subjects, such as death, bullying and peer pressure. A fast paced story, laced with humor,fantasy and characters that had me rooting for them makes this a must read story. The positive inspirational message is just an added bonus. Ms. Bannon is certainly an author to watch!

A complimentary copy of this book was provided in exchange for an honest review.