Magical Children: The Invisible Boy

When his parents are lost in space, Sam is left, heartbroken, in the care of the horrible Hilda Hardbottom. Then he finds a tiny spaceship in the cabbage patch and meets a little alien called Splodge. How Splodge makes him invisible, and how Sam uses his new talent in his darkest hour, makes a touching and extremely funny story with lovely memorable characters.

“"What makes Gardner's book special is not just the cleverness of its plot, but its charming linguistic zaniness...It's a pleasure to read - to yourself and aloud."”

A heartwarming story with a laugh-out-loud plot and memorable characters. - Lancashire Evening Post, 8 June 2002

This story sparkles with originality and appealing out-of-the-ordinary events to provide a rivetting read. - Junior Magazine

What makes Gardner's book special is not just the cleverness of its plot, but its charming linguistic zaniness?It's a pleasure to read - to yourself and aloud. - Sunday Telegraph, 14 July 2002

"The Invisible Boy has enough humour and action to keep less confident readers as well as assured readers turning the pages. - Books for Keeps

A heartwarming and engaging story with wonderful memorable characters. - Family Interest Magazine, September/October 2002

Sally Gardner is an award-winning novelist from London. Her books have been translated into 22 languages and have sold more than one million copies in the UK. Her historical novel for older readers, I, Coriander, won the Smarties Children's Book Prize in 2005. Two thrillers both set at the time of the French Revolution, The Red Necklace and The Silver Blade, which was shortlisted for the Guardian Children's Fiction Prize in 2009, followed. Actor Dominic West (The Wire) has bought the film rights to both titles. Her YA novel, The Double Shadow, was published in 2011 to critical acclaim. Sally Gardner's stories for middle readers include Lucy Willow and the popular Magical Children series of six titles: The Strongest Girl in the World, The Invisible Boy, The Boy with Magic Numbers, The Smallest Girl in the World, The Boy with the Lightning Feet, and The Boy who could Fly, which are also available as audio books. She has also written and illustrated picture books including The Fairy Catalogue, The Glass Heart, The Book of Princesses and Playtime Rhymes. Sally Gardner continues to be an avid spokesperson for dyslexia, working to change the way it is perceived by society. She is dyslexic and argues that it is not a disability, but a gift.

Her website is and you can follow her on Twitter @TheSallyGardner

Sam's mum and dad go missing during a trip to the moon, leaving him in the care of the horrible Hilda Hardbottom. But things begin to get better when Sam meets an alien in his back garden. The alien's name is Splodge, and he knows how to make Sam invisible... A heart-warming and funny story by the Winner of the Costa Children's Book Award.

When his parents are lost in space, Sam is left, heartbroken, in the care of the horrible Hilda Hardbottom. Then he finds a tiny spaceship in the cabbage patch and meets a little alien called Splodge. How Splodge makes him invisible, and how Sam uses his new talent in his darkest hour, makes a touching and extremely funny story with lovely memorable characters.

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