February 15, 2022
An invisible teen girl longs to be seen and loved. Piet�, who goes by Pie, was born invisible. She and her mom can see each other, although their skin appears transparent, but they aren't visible to others. Pie grew up traveling all over the U.S. on trains with her mom, staying in other people's houses, and using whatever they need. Despite her mom's advice to never fall in love, Pie did just that two years ago while in Pittsburgh, with disastrous results. Now, they are visiting the area again, staying in a house where teenage cousins Denise and Jules live, and Pie is determined to find her old crush, Tess. As much as Pie tries to be content with her lonely existence, she yearns for more, and true friendships begin to seem possible if she's willing to take some risks. Although the story sometimes overexplains the rules of invisibility and doesn't dive deeply enough into the reasons behind its origins--Pie's mom was born solid but became invisible as a coping mechanism for abuse--the way the present-day narrative and flashbacks are skillfully woven together creates page-turning momentum. Pie's critical self-talk and longing for connection are excruciatingly realistic and relatable as she navigates complicated relationships with her parents, new friendships, and evolving crushes. Pie's family members and Tess are assumed White; Denise and Jules are cued as Black. All main teen characters are queer. Gripping and emotionally charged. (Paranormal. 14-18)
COPYRIGHT(2022) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
March 1, 2022
Grades 9-12 Who hasn't wished at some point to be invisible? For 17-year-old Pie (short for Pieta), who was born invisible, it's not a cool superpower or liberating escape, it's an exile. Unlike her equally transparent mother, who views invisibility as necessary camouflage, Pie yearns for a normal life, where they aren't always on the move, stealing through people's homes like ghosts. Pie's already broken her mother's biggest rule and fallen in love. While staying in a punk house full of queer teens, Pie dreams of confessing her love to Tess, whom Pie spooked years ago into thinking she's haunted. Then Pie's mother vanishes for real, leaving Pie desperate enough to risk letting others know about her. To her surprise, the other teens become her friends, giving her the space and voice she's never had. Moore's intimate story uses this compelling concept to authentically convey loneliness and the need for connection. Pie's open-hearted, present-day narrative is interspersed with resonant thematic flashbacks. Teens will relate to Pie's deep sense of relief at being seen and loved, as she truly is.
COPYRIGHT(2022) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
May 1, 2022
Gr 9 Up-Pie and her mother are invisible and go through the world unseen. They travel the country by train, secretly spend nights in stranger's homes, and steal to survive. When Pie's mom lets her choose where to travel next for her 17th birthday, she asks to return to Pittsburgh, desperate for a connection with a girl named Tess, whose house they stayed in last time they were in the city. But when her mom goes from being invisible to completely disappearing and Pie's existence is revealed to Tess's friend Denise, Pie starts to push back against the rules that have defined her life. This book explores themes of friendship, love, and what it means to be truly seen. Alternating between the present and memories from Pie's past, Romasco-Moore crafts a unique story that develops nuance as it unfolds. The rules surrounding Pie's invisibility feel clunky and overemphasized at times, but the intriguing premise and Pie's emotional growth throughout the narrative will keep readers engaged. The majority of characters are queer. Pie has "taupe, tan, olive" skin, Denise is Black, and Tess is cued white. VERDICT A thought-provoking and inventive book that will appeal to teens looking for contemplative coming-of-age stories.-Emily Yates
Copyright 2022 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.