As an educator, Invisible Son is not an easy book to read. I know so many students who, like the protagonist Andre Jackson, become entangled in the prison pipeline through no fault of their own. Andre is sentenced to juvenile detention for a crime he didn’t commit, Once he’s out, he has to navigate the world as a Black boy with a strike against him, all during the onset of the COVID pandemic. Johnson tells a beautiful, beautifully true story that will resonate with students, parents, and educators who lived through this time. I see Dre in so many of the young Black boys I’ve taught; Johnson gets is just right. This is a really powerful and timely tale.

4.5 stars

Synopsis: Andre Jackson is a teenage Black boy who went to juvie for something he didn’t do. He has since been released on the stipulation that he wear an ankle monitor and regularly check in with his parole officer. Andre tries to make the most of his senior year, but then COVID-19 hits. On top of the pandemic, Andre is faced with the publicized deaths of innocent Black people, including George Floyd, and the Black Lives Matter protests. In a time full of uncertainty, the one thing he can count on is his relationship with the Whitaker kids, especially Sierra— his longtime crush. However, Sierra’s brother, Eric, is missing, and the details around his disappearance are sketchy at best. Still, Andre is determined to find Eric so that he can learn the truth about his own arrest. In the process, unimaginable truths are unearthed.


Thoughts: Wow, this book was powerful and intense. Johnson writes about the 2020 year with such realness that it was somewhat triggering at times. Still, the discomfort caused by this book is important, and the way she portrays the Black experience during this time is raw. In particular, Johnson highlights the ways in which the pandemic hit Black communities and the disparities of resources/support. My heart broke for Andre has he had forces working against him as he tried to do the right thing over and over again. Still, the themes of found family and unity within community shines through. Finally, the added detail of titling each chapter as a song title was a wonderful touch.

Fans of Angie Thomas and Jason Reynolds should absolutely pick this book up.

Note: there are definitely elements of this story that could be triggering to sensitive readers. In an effort to avoid spoilers, I won't list them here, but proceed with caution.

Wow. Just wow. I think this is a very important book for teens and young adults.

The story is told through the eyes of Andre "Dre." He's a 17 year old Black boy living in Portland, Oregon. He gets accused of robbing a party and because he doesn't want to get his friend in trouble, he takes the fall for the whole thing. He ends up serving 2 months in juvie and is then released to a community program where he does community service and has to wear an ankle monitor for 6 months. Once he's out, this story takes place from February 2020 to about August 2020. It goes through being a high schooler during COVID, being a Black Boy during the Portland riots and the George Floyd protests. All while Andre is trying to find out what happened to the friend he was trying to protect that disappeared after he went to juvie.

The story had so much going on that I had no idea which way things would end up! I'd be lying if I said this story didn't break my heart. I sat in my office about 50% of the way through just crying over these characters because I know the pain they were feeling. This story imitates life and we lived through COVID and the protests so if you pick this up, take care of your mind and heart.

Thank you Kim Johnson and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

posted to Goodreads: 6.9.23
posted to tiktok: 6.12.23

This book is amazing! It covers so many very important things that have gone on here in the United States in the last few years. It talks about subjects that many people shy away from and try to ignore. I loved the characters and the mystery of finding out what happened to Eric. I also really enjoyed that it was based in Portland, Oregon where I was born and raised. I could picture each place and scene in my mind.

Invisible Son was one of my most anticipated books of the year because I loved This is My America so much. Thank you for advanced access!

Andre is released from juvenile detention after being framed for a crime that his friends committed. He willingly took the fall, not wanting his friends to be in trouble, but wants to speak to his good buddy, Eric, about why he didn't speak for him during his incarceration. Unexpectedly, Eric vanished shortly after Andre was arrested, and no one in his complicated, mixed race, adoptive family has heard from him. Andre must navigate his new world, double trapped by a pandemic and an ankle monitor, while also trying to figure out the real story behind his arrest.

This was a really deep, fascinating story with so much going on. I enjoyed Andre as a character and found many parts of his story incredibly moving. The book takes place during the early months of the CoVID-19 pandemic in 2020, which adds a layer of complication and realism to this story. Andre's story is so full of important social issues that aren't part of enough literary conversations like youth incarceration, community monitoring, disproportionate health and healthcare issues in Black and brown communities, interracial adoption, gentrification, police brutality and so many more.

That being said, what I loved so much about This is My America is that it was able to address some major societal issues, particularly those affecting Black communities and individuals, in the context of a compelling and suspenseful mystery. I think the intent here was the same, but the execution wasn't quite as successful. I enjoyed the story and appreciated Andre's introspection on the inequality and injustice in the world, but it felt almost separate from the story, which pulled me out of the narrative on more than one occasion.

This is still a book worth reading, the issues are worthy of focus, and when the story is hitting, it's compelling.

I really liked this book. The author was very clever with the titles of each chapter (they were song titles). The chapter titles also went along with what what happening in the story, this kept me wanting to read to see what was next. The year 2020 was such a whirlwind; reading the events happening, I was like oh ya, there were riots. I was just thinking about the sickness and isolation we all endured, I had forgotten the other events that happened and continue to happen.
The author also had some spacing between words that was just like I was talking. Almost like taking a breath. Not sure if that was a printing error or intentional, it was great.
Those subtle things in the story were fantastic.
The story line was also good, kept me going and interested.
I am not sure about the title……..does it refer to the main character, or to his friend that he is looking for?
I definitely will be recommending this book to the school and local libraries and to the English teachers.

I didnt think the COVID aspect added anything to the book, but actually took away from the main storyline. Andre was a strong main character, and he kept me interested in the book. A lot going on at once- almost too much.

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I somehow didn’t realize when I picked up Invisible Son by Kim Johnson (Random House, June 2023) that this young adult novel was labeled a thriller. The fast-paced story keeps the reader interested with intrigue but also a number of interesting and relevant subplots and a group of loveable characters. Andre is hoping to clear his name after being set up and sent to juvenile detention, but his return to society is not what he expected. Initially, it is just his ankle monitor keeps him trapped in a limited area, but when the COVID-19 pandemic closes down his school and community, he finds himself even more restricted. His senior year of high school will certainly not end as he anticipated.

Andre’s quest to prove himself innocent is not just about himself. As a Black young man in Portland, he feels he has been unfairly targeted, and he feels that his own innocence would help all Black teenagers stand up to the unfair juvenile detention system and racial profiling methods. Given the setting of spring 2020, Andre’s journey to proving his innocence includes the complex and yet very real situations surround George Floyd and the beginning of the Black Lives Matter movement, as well as an applicable situation in which Andre is reported as suspicious in his own neighborhood since he is a Black teenager walking at night.

Race is a continuing theme with Andre’s personal friendships. His next-door neighbor Sierra has always been close to him, and since her brother is missing ever since Andre’s arrest, she joins Andre in seeking for the truth and proving his innocence. Sierra and her missing brother are Black teenagers adopted by white parents. The Whitakers had also adopted a Latino teenager, Luis, and this mixed race cast of characters allows the author the explores the complex issues that race brings to the spring of 2020. This includes not just the George Floyd situation and the COVID-19 pandemic, but also the inequalities in education and healthcare.

I’m fascinated with the portrayal of the pandemic in current literature. It’s so recent. Many readers will, like me, again feel the chaos and stress that we had as these characters go through their own stressful time. Sick family members, closed businesses, and political banter about wearing masks are all very real to these characters. The author brings the scene and setting of spring 2020 to life in Andre’s circle.

At first, I thought I may not relate at all to a book about a Black teenager returning home from juvenile detention. I was wrong. I not only could relate to the strong emotions, but the setting and story gave me a window into how a good portion of the world lives. Everyone’s pandemic experience is so unique.

Invisible Son also explores so many more issues: adoption, mental health, depression, multi-generational homes, small businesses, poverty, forgiveness, 1980s and 1990s music, neighborhood gentrification, and, on top of it all, a thrilling journey of discovery. As for the thriller aspect, I hadn’t anticipated such a heart-racing series of events as Andre and his friends get closer to finding the truth. I highly recommend Invisible Son.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance review copy of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

First, let's celebrate this book cover- I'm obsessed.

And I was pulled in by Andre's character, however I have found in reading Johnson's first book and now this one, that as an adult reader reading YA for my high schoolers that I find her message heavy-handed. Teens will read it for the foundational elements and Andre's situation is not ideal by any means and the more he uncovers, the more injustice there is. Plus, she adds the pandemic into the story. For them, it might be too soon-- it was a while before we saw books about 9/11 for teens, and I think the pandemic might be too fresh for them to read about-- but once I get it in and pass it around, we'll see what they think.

As mentioned, it's a strong book and Andre is a strong character. Readers will follow his journey because they're endeared to him from the start. However, all together there was quite a bit going on, I would have preferred a lane or two to stay in but representation from transracial adoption as well as the justice system is a necessary topic to write about- more of it!

4.5 stars

This is my first experience with this author, but after reading this, I absolutely want to read her first book, This is My America, whose description reminds me of From the Desk of Zoe Washington, but for an older audience.

This is not an easy book to read, and sensitive readers should be aware of many trigger warnings, including abuse, attempted murder, injustice, and racism.

Andre Jackson is a teenage black boy who went to Juvenile Detention for something he didn't do. He has now been released but must wear an ankle monitor at all times, as well as be available for check-ins by his equivalent parole officer. Johnson does an amazing job painting a full picture of everything Andre is experiencing as he tries to finish his senior year at the start of the Corona Virus pandemic. I've read a few books that were set during the pandemic, but this is probably the best one that I've read. While social injustice and racism have always been the norm in our society (unfortunately), things like the pandemic make it even more extreme, and those who are already suffering just suffer more.

On top of the pandemic, she also incorporated the death of George Floyd and the protests that resulted. This story takes place in Oregon and I have friends and a cousin there and they shared a lot about what was going on during that time period. I have a few friends who participated in many of those protests and this book brought it all back to me, but it highlighted even more just how hard the pandemic was for people of color.

Besides Andre, the author does a great job with his family, especially his grandfather, but also his parents, and several of the people who were in his corner. It was very apparent that while he always tried to do the right thing, things could have gotten so much worse for him if it were not for the community surrounding him that actually believed in him and wanted to see him succeed. In particular, I liked his interactions with his boss and his parole officer.

I also loved how music was such an important part of his daily life and how his Youtube channel helped him to find himself again, with support from the world. Yes, there were haters on his channel as well, but I liked that he was able to find support in something he loved.

Readers of Angie Thomas, Jason Reynolds, and Nic Stone would probably love this one as well.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley and the publishers, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Invisible Son is a powerful and influential book that everyone should read. It shines light on the prejudices that our society imparts on people of color everyday, intentionally or not. To me the power of the story comes from the ordinariness of the story itself combined with amazing writing.

In the midst of the rise of Covid-19 and Black Lives Matter, Andre Jackson returns from 2 months in juvie for a crime he did not commit. Sierra, the girl who has his heart, has moved on to someone else. Her brother, Eric is missing and their adoptive white parents do not seem to want him found. It is because of Eric that Andre now wears an ankle monitoring device.

Andre is determined to find Eric and find out the truth about what led to his incarceration.. But the more he digs, the more dangerous things become. Andre persists even as a former probation officer tries to bring him down, friends and family get this virus which is keeping people apart when they need each other the most, and the progressive gentrification of his traditionally black community marches on.

This would make an amazing film. A book club MUST read. An important work which should in no way be invisible.

My thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC of this novel.

This book made me feel so many emotions. It starts off kind of slow, but I don't mind. It allows us to get to know our protagonist and his side characters before plunging you into a mystery that makes you want to keep reading until you have all the answers. I enjoyed all the twists and turns, and by the end, I was speechless and didn't know how to feel. At first, I thought I wouldn't enjoy a book set during the pandemic since it was such a traumatic time for most people, but I actually enjoyed reading how Andre and his family/friends handled and dealt with the unprecedented events. As the dates got closer to when all hell broke loose in 2020, I held my breath, waiting to see how it unfolded in Andre's world. The portrayals were so realistic. All the uncertainty and fear and confusion we felt during that time was portrayed so well through the writing--through character's actions, reactions, dialogue, etc. As each chapter passed, I wanted to know more and more about what happened to Eric. I read the majority of the book in one night. As someone who once worked as juvenile justice social worker, Andre's story really touched my heart. I'm so happy that there are books out their for youth with similar stories to read and see themselves.

Also, love, love, love the playlist and chapter titles. I'm a huge music fan, so that was a plus for me. Hope it'll be uploaded to Spotify!

Thanks NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

This was a very powerful read that dealt with heavy topics. I haven't seen many books set during the start of Covid and I thought it did a good job of representing that. I also liked the look at the justice system and it's inequalities. The protagonist is a Black boy and it's not a romance and I think we need more books like that. The mystery was also engaging and had me theorizing the whole way through. With that said, I'm not sure whether or not this book was trying to do too many things.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a digital arc to review in exchange for my honest opinion.

*Actual rating: 3.5 stars*
This Is My America, Kim Johnson’s debut novel, was one of my favorite books of 2020. It feels like a full circle moment for me that I read her first book during the pandemic, and her second book takes place at the onset of the pandemic. Johnson’s incredible writing talent was once again on display with her sophomore novel, Invisible Son. However, this book just didn’t work for me. As a person, I tend to be very avoidant and I prefer a level of escapism in the fiction books that I read. Reading this book confronts you with the unfortunate reality and trauma that coincides with the pandemic. I wasn’t expecting the book to so heavily lean into that, which is what I didn’t like. The main plot of the story was amazing and tense and thought-provoking, so I still do recommend this book. If you don’t mind frequent mentions of COVID-19, and themes of racism, transracial adoption, gentrification, and the juvenile justice system interest you, pick up this book!

Andre Jackson gets sent to juvie for a crime he didn't commit. Now, he is trying to make it through his probation period without an incident. He has to wear an ankle monitor. He gets out when the world has been changed due to COVID-19 outbreaks and school shut downs. He realizes how hard it is to be a black teen on probation.

I did not like reading about COVID-19 as I feel it is still to real and depressing. I think the story would have been better without that element. The story is a slow burn.

Andre just wants to find Eric but he has been missing since his arrest. Something just isn't adding up and Andre keeps questioning the past until he puts all the pieces together and exposes the truth.

Powerful read but gut wrenching at the same time.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of "Invisible Son" by Kim Johnson. This is my first read by this author and I found the story to be complex and thought-provoking. It was current to the times and characters were mostly-relatable. I struggled at time to stay invested in the story, but it was mostly captivating. I was hopeful for the resolution. I wonder how young adults will receive this story.

It Got Deep

This was such an interesting read. It takes place in 2020 right as Covid hit the US. Seeing how the virus impacted everything around Andre was relatable. Yet his story of having to face those challenges on house arrest made for quite a different perspective. It felt like the world was working against him in so many ways. With Andre being such a decent, lovable kid, I just wanted to see him win. His complicated dynamic with Sierra was both captivating and frustrating at the same time. The mystery of where Eric disappeared to when things hit the fan absolutely made the book for me. When the mystery was solved, I was shocked. That twist was heavy. The book also touched on the social uprisings related to George Floyd. Andre’s heroic antics didn’t seem realistic, but the intensity was perfectly illustrated. I absolutely loved the way music was such an integral part of the story. That made me happy.

I think this has been one of the best fictional accounts of those tense, scary times during the first half of 2020. I gave it four stars. I would highly recommend reading this upon its release. Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Kim Johnson for this advanced copy to review. #InvisibleSon #NetGalley.

Actual rating 3.5 stars.

Let’s start with the cover. It’s gorgeous! And even though I shouldn’t, I do judge books by their cover. When I first saw the cover, I read something about a wrongly accused Black teen and decided the cover and the blurb were fantastic and immediately wanted to read Andre’s story. The moment I opened my ereader my eyes fell on the names of the chapters and those names made me giddy with pleasure. I love chapter names called after song titles, in this case great eighties and nineties songs, so I eagerly started reading.
 
Kim Johnson gave Andre a tight and passionate voice. From the first page on, I felt Andre’s struggles. Wearing an ankle monitor, out in the world again but not really free, searching for his friend Eric, all those things made Andre an admirable MC who stood up to his believes while dealing with being a Black boy and its consequences daily. The ending of the story broke me in pieces and made tears well up on my eyes. The impact of this book is comparable to books like Dear Martin, The Hate They Give Us, and The Cost of Knowing.
 
HOWEVER
 
I hate to say this, but I liked the story less because of the setting in 2020 during COVID. I’m just happy that the feeling of being enclosed is over. I fully understand why Kim Johnson set this story during this period, it added an even more suffocated and tense feeling to the novel, but I’ve found out that I just don’t want to read anything about it yet.
 
So, if this book just had been about Andre’s struggles as a wrongly accused Black teen, I probably would have rated it a full five stars. Now I sadly rounded my 3.5 star rating rating down. But this is entirely on me, and if you don’t mind reading about COVID, I highly recommend picking up this powerful YA novel!

First, I would like to thank NetGalley for this Advanced Reader Copy of Invisible Son in exchange for an honest review.

This thriller by Kim Johnson is all about social justice, relationships, and what life is like for many teen black/brown boys. The last 18 years of my teaching career I worked with high school students and saw first hand the inequality between white students versus any other race in the schools. Sadly there were even some educators who treated students differently.

Our narrator, Andre, has been accused of a crime he did not commit, but keeps his mouth shut and goes to juvenile jail because that is the safest thing for him to do in his little community within Portland, Oregon. When he does get out he wants nothing more than to clear his name, reconnect with his friends, especially Sierra, and to figure why he was set up. Why is Sierra's brother Eric missing? Why did Sierra's adoptive father hire a lawyer for Andre?

Sierra's father is running for office.... how does that play into the story? There are protests for the murder of George Floyd going on in Portland. You will notice the erasure of black history in this novel, along with the racial bias of the justice system, the negative impact of COVID on communities of color,

Andre is ready to get back to school so he can graduate on time, but COVID just throws another obstacle into Andre's path forward. Andre wants to investigate and does as much as humanly possible as he has an ankle monitor tracking his movements day and night. Andre starts snooping and slowly uncovers several interesting facts about the Whitakers (Sierra and Eric's adoptive parents). Andre eventually confides in Sierra and her adoptive siblings.

This book is an emotional roller coaster and extremely insightful for those who have no clue what black/brown teens have to worry about 24/7 and what life is like for them.

The book was ok for me, the writing was good and lots of details. The author did a great job with this book and I’d look forward to reading more from this author