They say his clothes blend into the background, no matter where he stands. They say a lot of things about the Schwa, but one thing’s for sure: no one ever noticed him. Except me. My name is Antsy Bonano, and I was the one who realized the Schwa was “functionally invisible” and used him to make some big bucks. But I was also the one who caused him more grief than a friend should. So if you all just shut up and listen, I’ll tell you everything there is to know about the Schwa, from how he got his name, to what really happened with his mom. I’ll spill everything. Unless, of course, “the Schwa Effect” wipes him out of my brain before I’m done….
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Book Description
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Editorial Reviews
From School Library Journal
Starred Review. Grade 7-10–Eighth-grader "Antsy" Bonano recounts how his accidental relationship with three quirky characters winds up being mutually beneficial. The catalyst in this social collision is Calvin Schwa, a classmate who has an almost supernatural knack for going completely unnoticed. When Antsy decides to become an "agent" for the "nearly invisible" Schwa by entertaining wagers on what he can get away with by being able to fly almost entirely beneath the social radar, the boys enjoy temporary success until they accept a dare requiring "The Schwa" to enter the home of a legendary local eccentric and retrieve a dog bowl belonging to any one of his 14 Afghans. Crawley, a powerful restaurateur who also happens to be severely agoraphobic, nabs the unlikely young intruders, and the crusty shut-in orders them to return daily to walk his dogs in exchange for their impunity. Once Antsy has gained Crawley's trust, he is asked to perform another task: to act as a companion for the man's blind granddaughter, Lexie. Antsy is then flanked by two peers–one who cannot see and one who cannot be seen–and, together, they overcome their collective liabilities through friendship, improving their own lives and the lives of those around them. Antsy tells his story in a bubbly Beastie Boys-meet-Bugs Bunny Brooklynese that keeps the pages flipping, and Shusterman's characters–reminiscent of those crafted by E. L. Konigsburg and Jerry Spinelli–are infused with the kind of controlled, precocious improbability that magically vivifies the finest children's classics.–Jeffrey Hastings, Highlander Way Middle School, Howell, MI
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Booklist
Gr. 6-9. When Anthony "Antsy" Bonano and his friends meet Calvin Schwa, they are impressed and puzzled by his ability to appear and disappear before their very eyes. Antsy concocts a moneymaking scheme based on the Schwa's invisibility that seems promising until he and his friends overreach and are caught by the town's legendary mean millionaire, Mr. Crawley. Their resulting community service project--walking the 7 virtues and 7 vices (Crawley's 14 afghan hounds) and going out with Crawley's granddaughter Lexie--cements and ultimately challenges friendships. The humor is just right for boys, but the complexity of plot, the depth and richness of the characters, and the underlying seriousness of the issues belies the easy-to-read comedy. Schwa is an average kid who hangs on the periphery of the crowd and longs to be noticed and included, not simply ignored. His character is extreme, but far too many adolescents--and the adults who work with them--will sadly and guiltily recognize him. Frances Bradburn
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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More About the Author
Neal Shusterman is the author of many novels for young adults, including Unwind, which was an ALA Best Book for Young Adults and a Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Readers, Everlost, and Downsiders, which was nominated for twelve state reading awards. He also writes screenplays for motion pictures and television shows such as Animorphs and Goosebumps. The father of four children, Neal lives in southern California.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
18 of 19 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Calvin Schwa seems to be invisible. Now you see him, now you don't. Antsy Bonano and his group decide to study this "Schwa effect" and use it for financial gain by taking wagers on Calvin's ability to enter improbable places unseen. The scheme is profitable until they accept a bet to steal a dog dish from the home of Mr. Crawley, the neighborhood eccentric. The Schwa is discovered by Crawley who can see him very clearly. As punishment, Calvin and Antsy become dog-walkers for the old man's 14 dogs. Later Crawley asks Antsy to befriend his visiting granddaughter, Lexie, who is blind. Schwa, Antsy and Lexie begin a search into Calvin's past and try to find out what happened to his mother. Is Calvin's "invisibility" tied to his past?
This detailed story is a page turner. Schusterman writes with compassion and humor.
As someone who works in a school setting, I found the story very moving because these "invisible" kids are in our classes. They are quiet, engaged and self sufficient so we sometimes overlook them. So much of a teacher's attention is claimed by high-needs students but the quiet ones also need all the recognition and acknowledgement that their teachers and friends can give them. The Schwa reminds me to make an even greater effort to keep these kids on the radar!
This is a great read that will be appreciated by kids in grades 4 and up.
This detailed story is a page turner. Schusterman writes with compassion and humor.
As someone who works in a school setting, I found the story very moving because these "invisible" kids are in our classes. They are quiet, engaged and self sufficient so we sometimes overlook them. So much of a teacher's attention is claimed by high-needs students but the quiet ones also need all the recognition and acknowledgement that their teachers and friends can give them. The Schwa reminds me to make an even greater effort to keep these kids on the radar!
This is a great read that will be appreciated by kids in grades 4 and up.
12 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
The basic story of Anthony "Antsy" Bonano and his friends is fairly straight forward - Anthony and his friends suddenly become aware of this kid who is pretty much an inconspicuous person in the world. I won't summarize the plot, as it is done pretty well in the reviews. What surprised me, though, was the depth of the book. It could have been just a recounting of the basic events as detailed in the summary, but instead, you get tantalizing images of some really interesting characters: Anthony, and Calvin "The Schwa", of course, but also Mr. Crawley, Lexis, Anthony's family, and even Anthony's friends. This is a deeper and more complex world than the simple facade would have you believe. At the same time, it is not belabored. This is not a didactic book - it isn't trying to teach you something, but it is showing you a world that is complex and multi-faceted.
You can read the story as a straightforward accounting of events - and the plot is strong enough to make it a good read in that regard. Or you can see more - character study, exploration of values, decisions about what is important in life.
Better than I expected somehow.
You can read the story as a straightforward accounting of events - and the plot is strong enough to make it a good read in that regard. Or you can see more - character study, exploration of values, decisions about what is important in life.
Better than I expected somehow.
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Schwa: The faint vowel sound in many unstressed syllables in the English language.
Neil Shusterman says he got the idea for "The Schwa Was Here" when he did a Q&A session at a library and kept overlooking a boy who had his hand raised. The boy evolved into the title character, the Schwa.
This book is as biting as its chapter titles ("Maybe They Had It Right In France Because Getting My Head Lopped Off By A Guillotine Would Have Been Easier"). Its main character, Anthony "Antsy" Bonano, is an Italian living in Brooklyn ("Jews and Italians seem to get along just fine. I think it has something to do with the way both cultures have a high regard for food and guilt"), a city known for simultaneously accepting, ignoring, and trampling over all its residents. The Schwa is especially a victim of being overlooked: He uncannily blends into his surroundings and can't be seen even when he is right in front of someone's face.
Neil Shusterman's book is fantastically entertaining. He has taken an everyday problem (who hasn't felt neglected and ignored?), raised it to an almost paranormal status, but kept it at such a level where the Schwa almost a realistic character(the Schwa isn't actually invisible, but is mysterious enough to have a disturbing presence).
The plot could have turned into a sniveling melodrama of deathbed confessions, persistant love triangles and tearful reunions, but Neil Shusterman cleverly avoided literary pitfalls. Instead, "The Schwa Was Here" is an offbeat novel, an urban myth of quirky, fascinating characters.
Neil Shusterman says he got the idea for "The Schwa Was Here" when he did a Q&A session at a library and kept overlooking a boy who had his hand raised. The boy evolved into the title character, the Schwa.
This book is as biting as its chapter titles ("Maybe They Had It Right In France Because Getting My Head Lopped Off By A Guillotine Would Have Been Easier"). Its main character, Anthony "Antsy" Bonano, is an Italian living in Brooklyn ("Jews and Italians seem to get along just fine. I think it has something to do with the way both cultures have a high regard for food and guilt"), a city known for simultaneously accepting, ignoring, and trampling over all its residents. The Schwa is especially a victim of being overlooked: He uncannily blends into his surroundings and can't be seen even when he is right in front of someone's face.
Neil Shusterman's book is fantastically entertaining. He has taken an everyday problem (who hasn't felt neglected and ignored?), raised it to an almost paranormal status, but kept it at such a level where the Schwa almost a realistic character(the Schwa isn't actually invisible, but is mysterious enough to have a disturbing presence).
The plot could have turned into a sniveling melodrama of deathbed confessions, persistant love triangles and tearful reunions, but Neil Shusterman cleverly avoided literary pitfalls. Instead, "The Schwa Was Here" is an offbeat novel, an urban myth of quirky, fascinating characters.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
This book show the very real plight of many teens in America today as they try to make their mark on the world. What I really liked about this book was the way that the characters helped me take a look at society from a different angle. I was very glad I read it.
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Hardcover
Currently, I am near finished with this book. But already, I know this book is amazing. It starts with Anthony Bonano, a normal teenager who lives a average life of a kid his age. But when Calvin Schwa enters his life, his world flips upside down. He learns that Calvin has the power to make himself seem nonexsistant. From there, young Anthony experiences love, confusion, broken friendship, stealing, and much more. And the most confusing thing of all is, why is Calvin Schwa invisible and why can't people see him?
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
A Kid's Review
Format:Paperback
Can you imagine being invisible to the world in a way that no one-not even your parents-acknowledge your existance? This is a realistic fiction about a boy who, with his friends tries to deal with "The Schwa Effect". And, in his small town gets himself into a little trouble, only to meet the boy who will help him find out about the strange dissappearance of his mother.
Knowing nothing about the book, I was a little skeptical of whether I would like it or not. It ended up to have a great storyline, one that I would definitely reccommend to all ages. Its a little bit of mystery, during the time "The Schwa" is trying to find his missing mother, and then they are using "The Schwa's" power to go unnoticed for things at school, like sneaking homework in late; little things like that. The beginning was a little bit slow, but towards the middle when the book starting picking up, I didn't want to put it down. It ends up having many things at once going on, and I was surprised by the whole idea of the book, considering the information I already had on it was VERY little. I strongly think that alot of different age groups would really enjoy reading this book, it could be perceived differently by different people. If perceived one way, it could be complicated with alot going on, if perceived from another way, it could be simple and light. No matter what point of view you are looking in, from an adult to a child, this book is very clear and a good read. I really liked this book, and I think that people should try it even though at first glance it looks way simple.
Knowing nothing about the book, I was a little skeptical of whether I would like it or not. It ended up to have a great storyline, one that I would definitely reccommend to all ages. Its a little bit of mystery, during the time "The Schwa" is trying to find his missing mother, and then they are using "The Schwa's" power to go unnoticed for things at school, like sneaking homework in late; little things like that. The beginning was a little bit slow, but towards the middle when the book starting picking up, I didn't want to put it down. It ends up having many things at once going on, and I was surprised by the whole idea of the book, considering the information I already had on it was VERY little. I strongly think that alot of different age groups would really enjoy reading this book, it could be perceived differently by different people. If perceived one way, it could be complicated with alot going on, if perceived from another way, it could be simple and light. No matter what point of view you are looking in, from an adult to a child, this book is very clear and a good read. I really liked this book, and I think that people should try it even though at first glance it looks way simple.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book
The books came on time so that the class could use them. The product was as I expected. Great price.
Published 20 days ago by Karen L. Colacicco
5.0 out of 5 stars
Awesome book! Also one of my favorites.
The Shwa was Here is greatly written and I believe would be a great book to be read in school. Everyone, popular or not, can relate to feeling invisible. Read more
Published 2 months ago by Rachel
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Schwa Was Here
Great book for middle school students to read. It is a book that all adolescence can relate to in one way or another.
Very entertaining also!
Very entertaining also!
Published 6 months ago by V. Witt
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Funny, Fun Book
This was a great, funny, interesting book, about a boy named the Schwa. He's not exactly invisible, but he blends in, so people don't notice him even when he's standing right in... Read more
Published 11 months ago by Black Plum
5.0 out of 5 stars
Witty, Gritty, and Shockingly Real
This book is my favorite book of all tme. Antsy's unique vocabulary and quirky narrative kept me hooked from page 1. This book had me sobbing and laughing at the same time. Read more
Published 20 months ago by r31hhhsmarty
5.0 out of 5 stars
Good book
My son had to read this for his 7th grade summer reading. I always read the books as well, and we both enjoyed the story.
Published 21 months ago by J. Steakelum
1.0 out of 5 stars
Schwa was here
Inconspicuous, camouflaged, hidden, unnoticed, many terms could be used to describe the "Schwa." However, none of these words are as accurately descriptive of the Schwa as... Read more
Published 22 months ago by R. Srinivas
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Schwa Was Here
Nicely done, well written, the story of a boy who was, for all purposes, invisible (until he decided to take charge of his life). Read more
Published 23 months ago by glauber
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Schwa was here.
My 7th grade twins and I read the book as part of their summer reading for the upcoming school year. Read more
Published on September 7, 2010 by Sharon
5.0 out of 5 stars
The Schwa was Here: a charming and well-told story. Reviewd by the...
Neil Schusterman's "The Schwa was Here" is an engaging and well-told story. Calvin Schwa, one of Antony "Antsy" Bonano's classmates, is invisible. Read more
Published on March 26, 2010 by K. Flegal
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