- Chapter Books
- Ages 9–12
- Science Fiction
What Not to Do If You Turn Invisible
Thirteen-year-old Ethel turns invisible by accident — a dodgy herbal tea plus a sunbed — and it's brilliant, until the day it won't wear off. A funny, warm mystery about identity, self-image and uncovering the secret of her own birth.
- Best for9–12
- FormatChapter
- Length404 pp
- Read aloud~5 hr45 min
The vibe
What it’s like.
Style
- Conversational
- Comedic
Tone
- Funny
- Exciting
- Heartwarming
- Thought provoking
- Bittersweet
Themes
Experience meters
What’s it about?
The story.
Ethel Leatherhead has a spectacular case of acne, so when a combination of untested herbal medicine and a broken sunbed turns her completely invisible, at least the spots are gone too. With her friend Elliot 'Boydy' Boyd, she works out how to keep her extraordinary new ability a secret — and how to have some fun with it. But when the invisibility one day refuses to wear off, Ethel is plunged into a nightmare of lies, near-misses and real danger, all while trying to unravel the mystery of who she really is and why her grandmother has never told her the truth about her birth. Ross Welford's second novel takes a wildly entertaining sci-fi premise and grounds it in a genuinely moving story about self-acceptance, family secrets and belonging. Sharp, funny and full of heart, with an unforgettable narrator, it confirmed Welford as one of the most inventive voices in middle-grade fiction.
Fit check
Right for your child?
Where it lands by age
Best for readers aged 9-12 reading independently, with good adult crossover appeal. The mystery and mild peril suit older primary and lower-secondary readers; themes of self-image and family secrets reward slightly older or more thoughtful children.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 7
- 9
- 11
- 13
- Best fit · 9–12
- Read aloud · 9–11
- Independent · 9–12
Prose load
Moderate
Visual support
None
Reluctant-reader friendly
Workable
Read-aloud quality
Strong
Works well for
- Reading aloud
- Gift-buying
Preview before sharing if a child is sensitive to: absent parent, grief, body image.
Bedtime suitability
2 / 5 · Better outside bedtime
Sensitive-child
3 / 5 · Mostly fine
Graphic intensity
1 / 5 · None
Best for
- 9 to 12
- Sci fi lovers
- Female protagonists
- Mystery fans
Avoid if
- Very sensitive children
- Needs low emotional stakes
Particularly good for children who are…
- Low self esteem
- Adoption or foster care
Why it lands
Why they love it.
Why kids love it
Turning invisible is the ultimate wish-fulfilment, and Ethel milks it — until it stops being fun and starts being terrifying. The mystery of her own birth keeps the pages turning, and Boydy is the loyal, hilarious best friend everyone wants. Funny, gripping and full of surprises.
- Becoming invisible
- Having a secret base
- The underdog winning
- Being understood finally
Why parents love it
Beneath the invisibility gimmick sits a thoughtful story about self-image, adoption and the secrets families keep. Welford writes with wit and warmth, never talking down to readers, and handles Ethel's insecurities with real tenderness. A strong shared read that opens up conversations about identity and belonging.
- Great writing
- Shared humour
- Conversation starter
About the author
Ross Welford.
If you liked this
Three ways out of this book.
If you liked this, try…
Lateral matches. Same shelf, different texture.
Come into this from…
Easier or preparing reads — perfect lead-ins.
Where to go next…
Escalation reads — a step up in scale, silliness, or stakes.
More like this…
Books that share themes and topics with this one.
