Book review - How to Stay Invisible

 

Title: How to Stay Invisible

Author: Maggie C Rudd

Genre: realistic fiction

Similar books: Small as an Elephant by Jennifer Richard Jacobson

                      The Secret Life of Lincoln Jones by Wendelin Van Draanen

Rating:

 

a careful balancing act

Summary (provided by publisher): Being alone is something Raymond is used to.
Twelve-year-old Raymond Hurley has never had a place to call home. His free-wheeling parents move their family from town to town, and he’s living in a trailer in a brand-new state when one day, they just up and abandon him. All alone with nothing but a duffle bag full of clothes and his reliable pup, Rosie, he is forced to live in the woods behind his middle school.
With a fishing pole in hand and survival guide checked out from the library, Raymond scrapes by and doesn’t tell anyone his secret. This isn’t the first time he’s had to rely on himself. However, when winter days get colder and finding food becomes nearly impossible, Raymond makes new friends, including a curious coyote, in unexpected places. Soon, he learns that his fate will depend not just on his wilderness skills, but on the people and animals he chooses to trust.

My opinion: In the grand tradition of books like Hatchet, this novel presents us with a character forced to survive on his own. With scraps of knowledge he does his best to build a life and his successes will appeal to young would-be survivalists. We see Raymond building a shelter, collecting food, and taking care of basic hygiene needs. Because not only is he surviving, he's doing his best to keep his situation a secret. Rudd is careful to show Raymond making mistakes, benefiting from the kindness of people around him. He survives, sure, but isn't truly doing it on his own. While the overall thrust of the book follows a familiar pattern of recently unhoused characters - shame and fear in the shock of the new situation; a successful rhythm that makes the situation feel sustainable; a health crisis that forces the truth to be revealed - there are hints and questions from people in his life all along the way.

More information: How to Stay Invisible releases June 27.

Advanced Reader Copy provided by NetGalley