Things Not Seen
Table of Contents
Novel Study Title Page for Students................................................................................................... 3
Before Reading............................................................................................................................................ 4
Who is Andrew Clements?..................................................................................................................... 5
My Character Chart................................................................................................................................... 6
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 1 – 4.................................................................................................. 8
Vocabulary Study Chapters 1 – 4......................................................................................................... 9
Understanding the Story Chapters 1 – 4.......................................................................................... 10
Chapter Summary Chapters 1 – 4....................................................................................................... 11
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 5 – 8.................................................................................................. 12
Vocabulary Study Chapters 5 – 8......................................................................................................... 13
Understanding the Story Chapters 5 – 8.......................................................................................... 14
Chapter Summary Chapters 5 – 8....................................................................................................... 15
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 9 – 12............................................................................................... 16
Vocabulary Study Chapters 9 – 12...................................................................................................... 17
Understanding the Story Chapters 9 – 12........................................................................................ 18
Chapter Summary Chapters 9 – 12..................................................................................................... 19
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 13 – 16............................................................................................. 20
Vocabulary Study Chapters 13 – 16.................................................................................................... 21
Understanding the Story Chapters 13 – 16..................................................................................... 22
Chapter Summary Chapters 13 – 16.................................................................................................. 23
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 17 – 20............................................................................................. 24
Vocabulary Study Chapters 17 – 20.................................................................................................... 25
Understanding the Story Chapters 17 – 20..................................................................................... 26
Chapter Summary Chapters 17 – 20.................................................................................................. 27
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 21 – 24............................................................................................. 28
Vocabulary Study Chapters 21 – 24.................................................................................................... 29
Understanding the Story Chapters 21 – 24..................................................................................... 30
Chapter Summary Chapters 21 – 24.................................................................................................. 31
Dictionary Detective! Chapters 25 – 28............................................................................................. 32
Vocabulary Study Chapters 25 – 28.................................................................................................... 33
Understanding the Story Chapters 25 – 28..................................................................................... 34
Chapter Summary Chapters 25 – 28.................................................................................................. 35
Time for a Test!............................................................................................................................................ 36
Reading Log................................................................................................................................................. 38
Answer Key................................................................................................................................................... 39
Common Core State Standards............................................................................................................ 55
© The Book Umbrella
Things Not Seen
by Andrew Clements
A Novel Study by:
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_________________________________________
Before Reading
Title of Book:
Author of Book:
Have you read anything by this author before? If so, what was it?
Look at the front cover. What hints do you think it gives about the story?
Read the back cover. What do you learn about the story from the back cover?
Based on the front and back covers, do you want to read this book? Why or why not?
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Who is Andrew Clements?
Use the internet and other resources to research the author of Things Not Seen, Andrew Clements.
Before Researching
1. What do you already know about Andrew Clements?
2. What do you want to find out about Andrew Clements?
After Researching
3. What have you learned from your research?
4. Where did you get your information?
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_____________________________________
My Character Chart
Draw a picture and record important information about each important character as you read the text.
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_____________________________________________
My Character Chart (Cont’d)
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 1 - 4
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
civil
Definition:
certified
Definition:
density
Definition:
vital
Definition:
disoriented
Definition:
impacts
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 1 - 4
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
civil •
• collisions
certified •
• a measure of substance
density •
• to feel confused or lost
vital •
• polite and courteous
disoriented •
• absolutely necessary or important
impacts •
• confirmed or officially recognized
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
civil
certified
density
vital
disoriented
impacts
1. I get easily ________________________________ when I visit the city so I always carry a map.
2. After many ________________________________ with the stick, the pinata still hadn’t broken open.
3. On such a hot day, having a supply of cool water is ________________________________.
4. The high ________________________________ of goose feathers inside this coat means it will keep
me very warm in the winter.
5. Charlie doesn’t like Ben but he is still always very ________________________________ toward him.
6. Andrea has become a fully ________________________________ yoga instructor.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
An adjective is a word that describes a person, place, or thing. What
adjectives would you use to describe Bobby’s feelings during his visit to
the library in Chapter 3? Explain your choices.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 1 - 4
Multiple Choice
1. As a result of being invisible, what does
Bobby have trouble doing in Chapter 1?
2. In Chapter 2, what happens when Bobby puts
his hand under the light of his desk lamp?
(a) Taking a shower.
(b) Speaking.
(c) Walking down stairs.
(d) Eating breakfast.
(a) Bobby’s hand comes back into view.
(b) Bobby sees a very faint shadow of his hand.
(c) The light burns Bobby’s hand.
(d) A hidden message appears on Bobby’s hand.
Short Answer
3. When Bobby is at the library in Chapter 3, why does he decide to take the stairs instead of the
elevator when traveling between floors?
Long Answer
4. At the end of Chapter 4, we find out that Bobby’s parents have been injured in a car accident.
What challenges might this situation pose for Bobby, given his current circumstances?
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
In Chapter 3, Bobby leaves the safety of his home to visit the library while
he is invisible. If you suddenly realized that you were invisible like Bobby,
where would you go and what would you do there? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 1 - 4
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 5 - 8
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
admittance
Definition:
compound
Definition:
dread
Definition:
generate
Definition:
irradiated
Definition:
invalid
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 5 - 8
Which Word?
On the provided lines, write the matching vocabulary word for each definition.
admittance
compound
dread
generate
irradiated
invalid
1. To come up with or cause something to come about.
_____________________________
2. A person who is weak with an illness or injury.
_____________________________
3. The process of entering a place. _____________________________
4. To fear something that is yet to happen.
_____________________________
5. To have carried out a type of radiation that kills germs.
_____________________________
6. Something made up of two or more parts.
_____________________________
Making Sentences
Make a sentence for each word below.
1. Admittance: _________________________________________________________________________________
2. Compound: __________________________________________________________________________________
3. Dread: _______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Generate: ____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Irradiated: ___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Invalid: _______________________________________________________________________________________
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
Describe a time when you experienced a feeling of dread.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 5 - 8
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 6, how does Bobby find
out which hospital room his mother is in?
2. In Chapter 8, why does Bobby go onto
his front porch dressed as Aunt Ethel?
(a) He calls his mother and asks her.
(a) He needs to talk to his neighbor, Mrs. Trent.
(b) He walks through the hospital halls
calling his mother’s name.
(c) He asks Dr. Fleming over the phone.
(d) He looks at the Emergency Room
admittance records.
(b) He needs to get the mail.
(c) He needs to get the cookies that
Mrs. Trent left there.
(d) He needs to talk to the police.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 6, when Bobby goes to visit his parents at the hospital, why does he tell the
woman at the visitors desk that he is not a relative of his mother?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 8, Bobby thinks about how his classmates would react to his being invisible.
He imagines they would think being invisible is cool. Does Bobby think it is cool being invisible?
Explain your answer.
In this section of the book, we find out how Bobby feels about being
invisible. If you became invisible like Bobby, how would you feel about it?
A Little ___________________________________________________________________________
Extra! ___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 5 - 8
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 9 - 12
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
swaggering
Definition:
observation
Definition:
primitive
Definition:
frantic
Definition:
frigid
Definition:
abducted
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 9 - 12
Match Up
A synonym is a word that means the same as another word. For example, happy and joyful are synonyms.
Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms!
swaggering •
• panicked
observation •
• attention
primitive •
frantic •
frigid •
abducted •
• kidnapped
• freezing
• prehistoric
• boasting
Best Word
Circle the word which works best in each sentence.
1. ( Observation / Primitive ) humans lived in caves and hunted for food.
2. Some people claim to have been ( abducted / frigid ) by aliens and taken aboard UFOs.
3. The stray cat on my porch escaped my ( observation / swaggering ) until I heard it meow.
4. Melissa was ( primitive / frantic ) as she searched for her missing cell phone.
5. The band that won the Best Music Video award went ( swaggering / abducted ) toward the
stage to collect their prize.
6. Even though it is April, we’re still experiencing ( frantic / frigid ) weather.
A Little
Extra!
At the end of Chapter 12, Bobby calls Alicia a friend. Even though Bobby
just met Alicia, what qualities do you think he sees in her that prompt him
to call her a friend?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 9 - 12
Multiple Choice
1. While walking in public in Chapter 9, what
does Bobby pretend to be in order to boost
his confidence?
2. In Chapter 10, Bobby talks to a girl named
Alicia at the library. What is noteworthy
about Alicia?
(a) A Bengal tiger.
(b) A Greek warrior.
(c) A Native American tribal leader.
(d) A Norse god.
(a) She is blind.
(b) She plays the trumpet.
(c) She uses a wheelchair.
(d) She can sing very well.
Short Answer
3. What does Alicia do to find out whether or not Bobby is really invisible?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 11, Bobby and Alicia are walking together on the sidewalk, and Bobby pulls Alicia out
of the way of a boy on a silver scooter. Instead of being grateful that Bobby pulled her to safety,
Alicia is confused and disgusted. Why?
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
In this section, Bobby makes many bold moves for an invisible teenager.
Which of Bobby’s actions in this section surprised you the most?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 9 - 12
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 13 - 16
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
sleuthing
Definition:
truancy
Definition:
burdened
Definition:
fazed
Definition:
superficial
Definition:
liable
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 13 - 16
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
sleuthing •
• to be disturbed or unsettled
truancy •
• legally responsible
burdened •
• caused hardship or worry
fazed •
• missing school without a good reason
superficial •
• not thorough, just on the surface
liable •
• investigating
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
sleuthing
truancy
burdened
fazed
superficial
liable
1. My dad told us kids were sent to jail for ________________________________, but he was joking.
2. I fell down the stairs, but luckily my injuries were just ________________________________.
3. I was ________________________________ when I had to do my sister’s chores when she was sick.
4. It will take some ________________________________, but somehow I’m going to figure out who
keeps stealing things from my desk.
5. The judge decided that the gas station owner was ________________________________ for the
gasoline that leaked into the river.
6. Even thought the thunder was very loud, my cat was not ________________________________ by
the storm.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 16, Bobby compares his condition to a disability.
What is a disability? Based on your definition, explain whether you agree or
disagree with Bobby’s comparison.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 13 - 16
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 13, who is the strange man
standing outside Alicia’s listening room
at the library?
2. What happened to Alicia to cause
her to go blind?
(a) A library security guard.
(b) A police officer looking for Bobby.
(c) Alicia’s father.
(d) An impatient businessman.
(a) She was in a boating accident.
(b) She caught a rare eye disease.
(c) She fell out of bed and hit her head.
(d) She stared at the sun too long.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 14, why does Bobby make a list of everything in his bedroom and the hall bathroom
of his house?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 16, why does Bobby’s mother make him clean his room and hide his toothbrush and
dirty clothes after an officer named Ms. Pagett leaves their house?
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 16, Bobby suggests that he and his parents tell the
authorities the truth about his condition so they will see that his parents have
done nothing wrong. Do you think Bobby’s suggestion is a good idea?
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 13 - 16
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 17 - 20
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
snivel
Definition:
hearsay
Definition:
imperceptible
Definition:
prejudice
Definition:
unconditionally
Definition:
accumulated
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 17 - 20
Which Word?
On the provided lines, write the matching vocabulary word for each definition.
snivel
hearsay
imperceptible
prejudice
unconditionally
accumulated
1. To be impossible to sense or notice.
_____________________________
2. Dislike that is based on false or unproven facts.
_____________________________
3. Collected; gathered._____________________________
4. To cry and sniffle.
_____________________________
5. In a way that is without controls or limits.
_____________________________
6. Information from other people that can’t be proven.
_____________________________
Making Sentences
Make a sentence for each word below.
1. Snivel: _______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Hearsay: _____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Imperceptible: _______________________________________________________________________________
4. Prejudice: ____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Unconditionally: _____________________________________________________________________________
6. Accumulated: ________________________________________________________________________________
Now that Bobby has become good friends with Alicia and we have learned more
about her, what adjectives would you use to describe Alicia’s character?
A Little _______________________________________________________________________________
Extra! _______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 17 - 20
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 18, what item from Bobby’s room
does Bobby’s father test with an oscilloscope?
2. In Chapter 20, what excuse does Alicia
use to get into the building at the Sears
corporate headquarters?
(a) Bobby’s trumpet.
(b) Bobby’s electric blanket.
(c) Bobby’s desk lamp.
(d) Bobby’s backpack.
(a) She needs to use the restroom.
(b) She needs to borrow a telephone.
(c) She would like to apply for a job there.
(d) She would like a copy of their
product catalog.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 20, Bobby and Alicia travel to the Sears corporate headquarters. What do they hope
to find there?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 16, why does Bobby compare his experience of becoming invisible to others’
experiences of being abducted by UFOs?
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
Who is your favorite character in the story so far? Who is your least favorite
character? Explain your choices.
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 17 - 20
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 21 - 24
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
defensive
Definition:
defective
Definition:
presumed
Definition:
weariness
Definition:
confidentiality
Definition:
interrogation
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 21 - 24
Match Up
Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms.
defensive •
• secrecy
defective •
• oversensitive
presumed •
• interview
weariness •
• exhaustion
confidentiality •
interrogation •
• faulty
• supposed
Best Word
Circle the word which works best in each sentence.
1. I returned my video game to the store because it was ( presumed / defective ).
2. Emma will have to fight her ( weariness / confidentiality ) and work through the night until
her project is finished.
3. After the thieves were caught, the police sat them down for an ( defective / interrogation ).
4. Karen was a bit ( defensive / weariness ) about being cut from the soccer team.
5. When I missed the bus I ( presumed / interrogation ) my mom would drive me to school but
she made me walk instead.
6. The newspaper reporter promised her sources complete ( defensive / confidentiality ).
A Little
Extra!
Chapter 23 is entitled “Long-Lost Sister”. A person who is “long-lost” is
someone who has been missing or away for a long time, or is someone
who was previously not known to exist. In this chapter, who does Bobby
call his long-lost sister? What about this character would make Bobby feel
that she is “long-lost” to him?
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 21 - 24
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 22, Alicia tells Bobby that
her meeting at Sears made her feel:
2. In Chapter 23, what promise
does Bobby make to Sheila?
(a) Anxious.
(b) Angry.
(c) Excited.
(d) Alone.
(a) To tell her parents that she is safe.
(b) To tell no one (except Alicia) about her.
(c) To send her a new electric blanket.
(d) To tell his father everything about her.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 22, Bobby calls many of the people on the customer list that he printed from the Sears
headquarters. After speaking to a man named Mr. Borden, why does Bobby want to contact Mr.
Borden’s daughter, Sheila?
Long Answer
4. Explain how Bobby goes about finding Sheila’s contact information. What information does
Bobby use to finally contact Sheila?
A Little
Extra!
At the end of Chapter 24, Bobby does something that makes his father
proud of him. What does Bobby do? If you were in the same situation as
Bobby, would you have made the same decision? Why or why not?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 21 - 24
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:_______________________________________________
Dictionary Detective!
Chapters 25 - 28
Using a dictionary, find the definitions for the words below.
distorted
Definition:
isolate
Definition:
conspirator
Definition:
bombarded
Definition:
assessment
Definition:
intuition
Definition:
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study
Chapters 25 - 28
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
distorted •
• a person who takes part in a secret plan
isolate •
• pulled or twisted out of shape
conspirator •
• to be attacked with something
bombarded •
• making a judgement about something
assessment •
• separate one thing from others
intuition •
• knowledge from a feeling rather than facts
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
distorted
isolate
conspirator
bombarded
assessment
intuition
1. I have a swimming ________________________________ today to see if I’m ready to start diving.
2. I haven’t heard the forecast, but my ________________________________ tells me it will rain today.
3. The thief and her ________________________________ have been caught by the police.
4. When I printed my book report, the page came out all ________________________________.
5. When I got home from camp, my parents ________________________________ me with questions.
6. One of my fish keeps attacking the others so I have to ________________________________ it in
another tank.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison is made between
two unlike things that actually have something important in common. In
Chapter 28, Alicia tells Bobby that he is her “invisible mirror”. Why do you
think Alicia compares Bobby to a mirror? Write your answer on the other
side of this sheet.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story
Chapters 25 - 28
Multiple Choice
1. According to Dr. Van Dorn, what atmospheric
event could have caused Bobby’s and Sheila’s
invisibility?
2. In Chapter 26, Bobby uses his electric blanket
again. What happens to Bobby as a result?
(a) A meteor shower.
(a) Bobby loses his memory.
(b) A lightning storm.
(b) Bobby becomes visible again.
(c) Solar wind.
(c) Bobby is transported to Florida.
(d) Fire rainbows.
(d) Nothing changes; Bobby remains invisible.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 27, why is Bobby’s family awake at 4:30 a.m.?
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 26, Alicia suggests to Bobby that he use his electric blanket again. What is the logic
behind Alicia’s suggestion?
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
After Bobby uses his electric blanket a second time, he calls Sheila
again to update her on his condition. Did Sheila’s reaction to Bobby’s
news surprise you? Why or why not?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Chapter Summary
Chapters 25 - 28
1. If you were to give a title to this section of the book, what would it be?
2. What happens in these chapters?
3. What is your favorite part of this section of the book?
4. What new words did you learn
in these chapters?
Things Not Seen
5. Draw a picture of something you think
represents these chapters.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Time for a Test!
Things Not Seen
Part A – Multiple Choice
1. When Bobby first becomes
invisible, which does he NOT do
to get his parents’ attention?
2. Who comes to stay with
Bobby while his parents are in
the hospital?
3. Bobby first meets Alicia when:
(a) He tells them he cannot
see himself.
(b) He drinks his orange juice
and thumps down the glass.
(c) He screams and cries.
(d) He hangs a spoon on his
nose.
(a) Bobby’s great-aunt Ethel.
(b) Mrs. Trent.
(c) Alicia.
(d) No one.
(a) Alicia shares a hospital room
with Bobby’s mom.
(b) Alicia asks Bobby for help
crossing the street.
(c) Bobby bumps into Alicia at
the library.
(d) Alicia visits Bobby’s
classroom at school.
4. Which object is partly to
blame for Bobby’s invisibility?
5. What does Bobby take
from the Sears corporate
headquarters?
6. Bobby contacts Sheila by:
(a) A flashlight.
(b) An electric blender.
(c) An electric blanket.
(d) Down powerlines.
(a) A disc labeled “Private”.
(b) A list of customers who
returned electric blankets.
(c) A list of employees.
(d) A catalog of new home
and garden products.
(a) Writing her a letter.
(b) Sending her an e-mail.
(c) Calling her on the
telephone.
(d) Visiting her apartment.
7. Who gives Bobby the idea
to use his electric blanket a
second time?
8. Near the end of the novel,
who is the first person to notice
that Bobby is visible again?
9. When we last see Bobby
at the very end of the novel,
where is he going?
(a) Alicia.
(b) Dr. Van Dorn.
(c) Bobby’s father.
(d) Sears.
(a) Alicia.
(b) Bobby.
(c) A police officer.
(d) Mrs. Pagett.
(a) To Sheila’s house.
(b) To Alicia’s house.
(c) To the library.
(d) To school.
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Time for a Test!
Things Not Seen
Part B – Short Answer
1. When Bobby first becomes invisible, he makes a trip to the University Library all by himself.
Explain how he gets into the library without anyone becoming suspicious of his condition.
2. Who is Sheila?
3. At the end of the novel, what does Bobby do with his electric blanket? Why does he do this?
Part C – Long Answer
1. Describe and discuss the relationship between Bobby and Alicia.
2. Toward the end of the novel, Alicia tells Bobby that “years don’t scare me much anymore”. What
does Bobby interpret this to mean? How does this describe one of the main themes of the novel?
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Reading Log
Record information about the books you read on this chart.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 1 - 4
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
civil •
• collisions
certified •
• a measure of substance
density •
• to feel confused or lost
vital •
• polite and courteous
disoriented •
• absolutely necessary or important
impacts •
• confirmed or officially recognized
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
civil
certified
density
vital
disoriented
impacts
1. I get easily disoriented when I visit the city so I always carry a map.
2. After many impacts with the stick, the pinata still hadn’t broken open.
3. On such a hot day, having a supply of cool water is vital.
4. The high density of goose feathers inside this coat means it will keep me very warm in the
winter.
5. Charlie doesn’t like Ben but he is still always very civil toward him.
6. Andrea has become a fully certified yoga instructor.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
An adjective is a word that describes a person, place, or thing. What
adjectives would you use to describe Bobby’s feelings during his visit to
the library in Chapter 3? Explain your choices.
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 1 - 4
Multiple Choice
1. As a result of being invisible, what does
Bobby have trouble doing in Chapter 1?
2. In Chapter 2, what happens when Bobby puts
his hand under the light of his desk lamp?
(a) Taking a shower.
(b) Speaking.
(c) Walking down stairs.
(d) Eating breakfast.
(a) Bobby’s hand comes back into view.
(b) Bobby sees a very faint shadow of his
hand.
(c) The light burns Bobby’s hand.
(d) A hidden message appears on Bobby’s hand.
Short Answer
3. When Bobby is at the library in Chapter 3, why does he decide to take the stairs instead of the
elevator when traveling between floors?
Example - Bobby decides to take the stairs instead of the elevator because there are fewer
people on the stairs. Bobby realizes that it is not a good idea to get inside a small room that
could fill up with people, because even though Bobby is invisible, his body is still solid. If a
person bumped into Bobby in a crowded space, the person would still be able to feel him.
Long Answer
4. At the end of Chapter 4, we find out that Bobby’s parents have been injured in a car accident.
What challenges might this situation pose for Bobby, given his current circumstances?
Answers will vary.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
In Chapter 3, Bobby leaves the safety of his home to visit the library while
he is invisible. If you suddenly realized that you were invisible like Bobby,
where would you go and what would you do there? Why?
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 5 - 8
Which Word?
On the provided lines, write the matching vocabulary word for each definition.
admittance
compound
dread
generate
irradiated
1. To come up with or cause something to come about.
generate
2. A person who is weak with an illness or injury.
invalid
3. The process of entering a place. admittance
4. To fear something that is yet to happen.
dread
5. To have carried out a type of radiation that kills germs.
irradiated
6. Something made up of two or more parts.
compound
invalid
Making Sentences - Answers will vary.
Make a sentence for each word below.
1. Admittance: _________________________________________________________________________________
2. Compound: __________________________________________________________________________________
3. Dread: _______________________________________________________________________________________
4. Generate: ____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Irradiated: ___________________________________________________________________________________
6. Invalid: _______________________________________________________________________________________
Describe a time when you experienced a feeling of dread.
A Little Answers will vary.
Extra!
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 5 - 8
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 6, how does Bobby find
out which hospital room his mother is in?
2. In Chapter 8, why does Bobby go onto
his front porch dressed as Aunt Ethel?
(a) He calls his mother and asks her.
(a) He needs to talk to his neighbor, Mrs. Trent.
(b) He walks through the hospital halls
calling his mother’s name.
(c) He asks Dr. Fleming over the phone.
(d) He looks at the Emergency Room
admittance records.
(b) He needs to get the mail.
(c) He needs to get the cookies that
Mrs. Trent left there.
(d) He needs to talk to the police.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 6, when Bobby goes to visit his parents at the hospital, why does he tell the
woman at the visitors desk that he is not a relative of his mother?
Example - Bobby tells the woman at the visitors desk that he is not a relative because she
tells him that in order to visit his mother, he will need permission from Dr. Fleming to see her.
Bobby does not want to talk to Dr. Fleming because he is supposed to be at home calling his
Aunt Ethel to come and stay with him. He would also have to stay bundled up while talking to
Dr. Fleming, and the doctor might find that strange.
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 8, Bobby thinks about how his classmates would react to his being invisible.
He imagines they would think being invisible is cool. Does Bobby think it is cool being invisible?
Explain your answer.
Example - Bobby doesn’t think being invisible is cool. Bobby says that other kids would think
it was cool only if it were not happening to them. Bobby actually has many worries and
frustrations about being invisible. He can no longer live a normal life, and he fears that he
may never be able to. He cannot interact with others as he used to, and he has to live his life
in secret. He feels alone, trapped, and like his life is on pause. He worries that he will not be
able to experience the milestones of growing up that he has anticipated.
In this section of the book, we find out how Bobby feels about being
invisible. If you became invisible like Bobby, how would you feel about it?
A Little Answers will vary.
Extra!
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 9 - 12
Match Up
A synonym is a word that means the same as another word. For example, happy and joyful are synonyms.
Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms!
swaggering •
• panicked
observation •
• attention
primitive •
frantic •
frigid •
abducted •
• kidnapped
• freezing
• prehistoric
• boasting
Best Word
Circle the word which works best in each sentence.
1. ( Observation / Primitive ) humans lived in caves and hunted for food.
2. Some people claim to have been ( abducted / frigid ) by aliens and taken aboard UFOs.
3. The stray cat on my porch escaped my ( observation / swaggering ) until I heard it meow.
4. Melissa was ( primitive / frantic ) as she searched for her missing cell phone.
5. The band that won the Best Music Video award went ( swaggering / abducted ) toward the
stage to collect their prize.
6. Even though it is April, we’re still experiencing ( frantic / frigid ) weather.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 12, Bobby calls Alicia a friend. Even though Bobby
just met Alicia, what qualities do you think he sees in her that prompt him
to call her a friend?
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 9 - 12
Multiple Choice
1. While walking in public in Chapter 9, what
does Bobby pretend to be in order to boost
his confidence?
2. In Chapter 10, Bobby talks to a girl named
Alicia at the library. What is noteworthy
about Alicia?
(a) A Bengal tiger.
(b) A Greek warrior.
(c) A Native American tribal leader.
(d) A Norse god.
(a) She is blind.
(b) She plays the trumpet.
(c) She uses a wheelchair.
(d) She can sing very well.
Short Answer
3. What does Alicia do to find out whether or not Bobby is really invisible?
Example - Alicia stops a man on the sidewalk and, while holding Bobby’s hand to ensure that
he is by her side, she asks the man to tell her whether or not the boy standing next to her is
taller than she is. The man assures Alicia that there is no one standing next to her, even when
she shakes Bobby’s hand in front of him.
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 11, Bobby and Alicia are walking together on the sidewalk, and Bobby pulls Alicia out
of the way of a boy on a silver scooter. Instead of being grateful that Bobby pulled her to safety,
Alicia is confused and disgusted. Why?
Example - Alicia is confused and disgusted because when Bobby pulled her to safety, she let go
of his elbow and lost her balance. Alicia put out her hand to catch herself, and it went right
against Bobby’s bare chest. Because Alicia is blind, she doesn’t know that Bobby is invisible,
and because Bobby is invisible, he is not wearing any clothes in public. Alicia feels Bobby’s
bare skin and envisions that he is a creepy guy who is trying to take advantage of her, so she
becomes upset and defensive. Bobby has to explain his situation to finally convince her
otherwise.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
In this section, Bobby makes many bold moves for an invisible teenager.
Which of Bobby’s actions in this section surprised you the most?
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 13 - 16
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
sleuthing •
• to be disturbed or unsettled
truancy •
• legally responsible
burdened •
• caused hardship or worry
fazed •
• missing school without a good reason
superficial •
• not thorough, just on the surface
liable •
• investigating
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
sleuthing
truancy
burdened
fazed
superficial
liable
1. My dad told us kids were sent to jail for truancy, but he was joking.
2. I fell down the stairs, but luckily my injuries were just superficial.
3. I was burdened when I had to do my sister’s chores when she was sick.
4. It will take some sleuthing, but somehow I’m going to figure out who keeps stealing things
from my desk.
5. The judge decided that the gas station owner was liable for the gasoline that leaked into
the river.
6. Even thought the thunder was very loud, my cat was not fazed by the storm.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 16, Bobby compares his condition to a disability.
What is a disability? Based on your definition, explain whether you agree or
disagree with Bobby’s comparison.
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 13 - 16
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 13, who is the strange man
standing outside Alicia’s listening room
at the library?
2. What happened to Alicia to cause
her to go blind?
(a) A library security guard.
(b) A police officer looking for Bobby.
(c) Alicia’s father.
(d) An impatient businessman.
(a) She was in a boating accident.
(b) She caught a rare eye disease.
(c) She fell out of bed and hit her head.
(d) She stared at the sun too long.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 14, why does Bobby make a list of everything in his bedroom and the hall bathroom
of his house?
Example - Bobby makes a list of everything in both of these rooms because he has begun to
think of the area as the “crime scene” where he became invisible. He is looking for clues, or
any evidence in the rooms, that could help him discover why he turned invisible. Bobby and
his father have begun to think of Bobby’s invisibility as the effect of something or some event,
so now they are searching for the cause.
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 16, why does Bobby’s mother make him clean his room and hide his toothbrush and
dirty clothes after an officer named Ms. Pagett leaves their house?
Example - Ms. Pagett is an officer from the school and truancy division of the State
Department of Children and Family Services. She is looking for Bobby, but Bobby’s mother
tells her that Bobby is staying with a relative in Florida and she will not let Ms. Pagett in the
house without a search warrant. When Ms. Pagett leaves, Bobby’s mother knows that she
will return soon with a search warrant to come into their house. She wants Bobby to clean
his room and hide his toothbrush and dirty clothes so that it looks as though he has not been
home for quite some time. That way, it will be believable that he is staying in Florida and is
not at home.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 16, Bobby suggests that he and his parents tell the
authorities the truth about his condition so they will see that his parents have
done nothing wrong. Do you think Bobby’s suggestion is a good idea?
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 17 - 20
Which Word?
On the provided lines, write the matching vocabulary word for each definition.
snivel
hearsay
imperceptible
prejudice
unconditionally
accumulated
1. To be impossible to sense or notice.
imperceptible
2. Dislike that is based on false or unproven facts.
prejudice
3. Collected; gathered.accumulated
4. To cry and sniffle.
snivel
5. In a way that is without controls or limits.
unconditionally
6. Information from other people that can’t be proven.
hearsay
Making Sentences - Answers will vary.
Make a sentence for each word below.
1. Snivel: _______________________________________________________________________________________
2. Hearsay: _____________________________________________________________________________________
3. Imperceptible: _______________________________________________________________________________
4. Prejudice: ____________________________________________________________________________________
5. Unconditionally: _____________________________________________________________________________
6. Accumulated: ________________________________________________________________________________
Now that Bobby has become good friends with Alicia and we have learned more
about her, what adjectives would you use to describe Alicia’s character?
A Little Answers will vary.
Extra!
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 17 - 20
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 18, what item from Bobby’s room
does Bobby’s father test with an oscilloscope?
2. In Chapter 20, what excuse does Alicia
use to get into the building at the Sears
corporate headquarters?
(a) Bobby’s trumpet.
(b) Bobby’s electric blanket.
(c) Bobby’s desk lamp.
(d) Bobby’s backpack.
(a) She needs to use the restroom.
(b) She needs to borrow a telephone.
(c) She would like to apply for a job there.
(d) She would like a copy of their
product catalog.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 20, Bobby and Alicia travel to the Sears corporate headquarters. What do they hope
to find there?
Example - Bobby and Alicia travel to the Sears offices because they hope to find a list of the
names of the people who have complained about or returned the same model of electric
blanket that Bobby has.
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 16, why does Bobby compare his experience of becoming invisible to others’
experiences of being abducted by UFOs?
Example - Bobby makes this comparison after reading a magazine article about UFO
abduction experiences. The article says that many people who experienced the strange event
kept it to themselves, believing they were the only ones who had experienced such an event.
Bobby figures that if going invisible happened to him, then it could have happened to
others as well – others who are also keeping it a secret, because each believes he is the only
one experiencing the problem. Bobby believes that if there are others with the problem, and if
he can find/contact them, then they can compare notes and possibly find a common cause for
the invisibility, and then possibly learn how to reverse it.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
Who is your favorite character in the story so far? Who is your least favorite
character? Explain your choices.
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 21 - 24
Match Up
Match the vocabulary words with their synonyms.
defensive •
• secrecy
defective •
• oversensitive
presumed •
• interview
weariness •
• exhaustion
confidentiality •
interrogation •
• faulty
• supposed
Best Word
Circle the word which works best in each sentence.
1. I returned my video game to the store because it was ( presumed / defective ).
2. Emma will have to fight her ( weariness / confidentiality ) and work through the night until
her project is finished.
3. After the thieves were caught, the police sat them down for an ( defective / interrogation ).
4. Karen was a bit ( defensive / weariness ) about being cut from the soccer team.
5. When I missed the bus I ( presumed / interrogation ) my mom would drive me to school but
she made me walk instead.
6. The newspaper reporter promised her sources complete ( defensive / confidentiality ).
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
Chapter 23 is entitled “Long-Lost Sister”. A person who is “long-lost” is someone who has
been missing or away for a long time, or is someone who was previously not known to
exist. In this chapter, who does Bobby call his long-lost sister? What about this character
would make Bobby feel that she is “long-lost” to him?
Example - In this chapter, Bobby says that finding Sheila is like finding a lost
sister. He feels this way immediately after finding out that Sheila turned
invisible, just like he did. The fact that Sheila shares this experience/ quality
with Bobby makes him feel connected to her, as he would feel connected to a
sibling. The fact that Bobby did not previously know that she existed (or that
anyone sharing his condition existed) makes her “long-lost”.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 21 - 24
Multiple Choice
1. In Chapter 22, Alicia tells Bobby that
her meeting at Sears made her feel:
2. In Chapter 23, what promise
does Bobby make to Sheila?
(a) Anxious.
(a) To tell her parents that she is safe.
(b) Angry.
(c) Excited.
(d) Alone.
(b) To tell no one (except Alicia) about her.
(c) To send her a new electric blanket.
(d) To tell his father everything about her.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 22, Bobby calls many of the people on the customer list that he printed from the Sears
headquarters. After speaking to a man named Mr. Borden, why does Bobby want to contact Mr.
Borden’s daughter, Sheila?
Example - Bobby wants to contact Shelia because Mr. Borden tells Bobby that the blanket they
had belonged to his daughter, Sheila. He explains that Sheila left the blanket behind when
she suddenly went missing, three years prior. Bobby believes that this sounds suspicious, and
he hopes to contact Sheila to find out whether or not she turned invisible, just like he did.
Long Answer
4. Explain how Bobby goes about finding Sheila’s contact information. What information does
Bobby use to finally contact Sheila?
Example - When Bobby speaks to Mr. Borden after finding his name on the Sears list,
Mr. Borden mentions that Sheila had sent him and his wife an e-mail after leaving home.
Bobby asks Mr. Borden to locate the e-mail and read him the e-mail address from which
Sheila sent the message. Then, Bobby uses his computer to do a reverse search using Sheila’s
e-mail address, and he finds her street address and phone number. Bobby uses Sheila’s phone
number to finally contact her by phone call.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
At the end of Chapter 24, Bobby does something that makes his father proud of him. What
does Bobby do? If you were in the same situation as Bobby, would you have made the
same decision? Why or why not?
Example - At the end of Chapter 24, Bobby tells his father about Sheila. Because he
promised Sheila that he would not tell anyone (except Alicia) about her, he tells his
father only that he found another invisible person, and he tells him the location and
date of her transformation. He will not tell his father who Sheila is, even though his
father pushes him for more information. Bobby can tell by the tone of his father’s
voice that he is proud of him for finding Sheila, and also for not breaking his promise
to her. Answers will vary for second question.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Vocabulary Study - Answer Key
Chapters 25 - 28
Match Up
Match the words in the left column to their definitions in the right column.
distorted •
• a person who takes part in a secret plan
isolate •
• pulled or twisted out of shape
conspirator •
• to be attacked with something
bombarded •
• making a judgement about something
assessment •
• separate one thing from others
intuition •
• knowledge from a feeling rather than facts
Fill in the Blank
Complete each sentence by filling in the blanks with the provided vocabulary.
distorted
isolate
conspirator
bombarded
assessment
intuition
1. I have a swimming assessment today to see if I’m ready to start diving.
2. I haven’t heard the forecast, but my intuition tells me it will rain today.
3. The thief and her conspirator have been caught by the police.
4. When I printed my book report, the page came out all distorted.
5. When I got home from camp, my parents bombarded me with questions.
6. One of my fish keeps attacking the others so I have to isolate it in another tank.
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
A metaphor is a figure of speech in which a comparison is made between
two unlike things that actually have something important in common. In
Chapter 28, Alicia tells Bobby that he is her “invisible mirror”. Why do you
think Alicia compares Bobby to a mirror? Write your answer on the other
side of this sheet.
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:____________________________________________
Understanding the Story - Answer Key
Chapters 25 - 28
Multiple Choice
1. According to Dr. Van Dorn, what atmospheric
event could have caused Bobby’s and Sheila’s
invisibility?
2. In Chapter 26, Bobby uses his electric blanket
again. What happens to Bobby as a result?
(a) A meteor shower.
(a) Bobby loses his memory.
(b) A lightning storm.
(b) Bobby becomes visible again.
(c) Solar wind.
(c) Bobby is transported to Florida.
(d) Fire rainbows.
(d) Nothing changes; Bobby remains invisible.
Short Answer
3. In Chapter 27, why is Bobby’s family awake at 4:30 a.m.?
Example - Bobby’s family is awake because Ms. Pagett and a police officer come to Bobby’s
house searching for Bobby.
Long Answer
4. In Chapter 26, Alicia suggests to Bobby that he use his electric blanket again. What is the logic
behind Alicia’s suggestion?
Example - Alicia notes that in grammar and in mathematics, two negatives make a positive.
In English, the use of a double negative makes a positive statement (e.g., “I’m not not going”
means “I am going”). In math, two negative numbers multiplied together equals a positive
number. In both of these cases, the negatives cancel out one another to create a positive
outcome. Based on these ideas, Alicia theorizes that using the electric blanket during solar
wind (an action that has a negative result) twice will cause the negative outcomes
(invisibility) to cancel out and create a positive outcome (visibility).
A Little
Extra!
Things Not Seen
After Bobby uses his electric blanket a second time, he calls Sheila
again to update her on his condition. Did Sheila’s reaction to Bobby’s
news surprise you? Why or why not?
Answers will vary.
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:___________________________________________
Time for a Test! - Answer Key
Things Not Seen
Part A – Multiple Choice
1. When Bobby first becomes
invisible, which does he NOT do
to get his parents’ attention?
2. Who comes to stay with
Bobby while his parents are in
the hospital?
3. Bobby first meets Alicia when:
(a) He tells them he cannot
see himself.
(b) He drinks his orange juice
and thumps down the glass.
(c) He screams and cries.
(d) He hangs a spoon on his
nose.
(a) Bobby’s great-aunt Ethel.
(b) Mrs. Trent.
(c) Alicia.
(d) No one.
(a) Alicia shares a hospital room
with Bobby’s mom.
(b) Alicia asks Bobby for help
crossing the street.
(c) Bobby bumps into Alicia at
the library.
(d) Alicia visits Bobby’s
classroom at school.
4. Which object is partly to
blame for Bobby’s invisibility?
5. What does Bobby take
from the Sears corporate
headquarters?
6. Bobby contacts Sheila by:
(a) A flashlight.
(b) An electric blender.
(c) An electric blanket.
(d) Down powerlines.
(a) A disc labeled “Private”.
(b) A list of customers who
returned electric blankets.
(c) A list of employees.
(d) A catalog of new home
and garden products.
(a) Writing her a letter.
(b) Sending her an e-mail.
(c) Calling her on the
telephone.
(d) Visiting her apartment.
7. Who gives Bobby the idea
to use his electric blanket a
second time?
8. Near the end of the novel,
who is the first person to notice
that Bobby is visible again?
9. When we last see Bobby
at the very end of the novel,
where is he going?
(a) Alicia.
(b) Dr. Van Dorn.
(c) Bobby’s father.
(d) Sears.
(a) Alicia.
(b) Bobby.
(c) A police officer.
(d) Mrs. Pagett.
(a) To Sheila’s house.
(b) To Alicia’s house.
(c) To the library.
(d) To school.
Things Not Seen
© The Book Umbrella
Name:____________________________________________
Date:__________________________________________
Time for a Test! - Answer Key
Things Not Seen
Part B – Short Answer
1. When Bobby first becomes invisible, he makes a trip to the University Library all by himself.
Explain how he gets into the library without anyone becoming suspicious of his condition.
Example - When Bobby makes his first trip to the library, he wears a full layer of regular
clothing including a coat, stocking hat, and turtleneck, as well as gloves, a scarf wrapped
around his face, and giant sunglasses. This way, every part of him is covered. Then, in the
bathroom, he changes out of his clothes and stashes them. Without his clothes on, he is
completely invisible and free to roam the library unnoticed.
2. Who is Sheila?
Example - Sheila is a woman that Bobby learns about when he calls her father, Mr. Borden. Mr.
Borden’s name is on the list of people who returned electric blankets to Sears. He tells Bobby
that the blanket they returned belonged to his daughter, Sheila, and that one day three years
prior, Sheila had suddenly and unexpectedly gone missing. Bobby tracks down Sheila’s
contact information and calls her. He finds out that she is another person who turned invisible
just like he did!
3. At the end of the novel, what does Bobby do with his electric blanket? Why does he do this?
Example - Bobby boxes up his electric blanket and sends it to Sheila, along with his father’s
notes and diagrams, and the electric blanket’s information sheets. Bobby also includes a note
to Sheila, telling her that he wants her to have these things, just in case. Bobby wants her to
have them in case she changes her mind about not wanting to become visible again.
Part C – Long Answer
1. Describe and discuss the relationship between Bobby and Alicia.
Example - Bobby and Alicia have a strong friendship. Alicia is one person whom Bobby trusts
to tell the truth about his condition, even though she is blind and cannot see him anyway.
Once Alicia learns the truth about Bobby, she does all that she can to help him. The feeling
of trust is mutual in their friendship, as Alicia also trusts Bobby enough to tell him the truth
about how she became blind. In her letter to Bobby at the end of the novel, Alicia notes
feeling alone and unlovable at times – she says she almost forgot that she was real until she
met Bobby.
2. Toward the end of the novel, Alicia tells Bobby that “years don’t scare me much anymore”. What
does Bobby interpret this to mean? How does this describe one of the main themes of the novel?
Example - When Alicia says this, Bobby interprets it to mean that Alicia is no longer scared of
or worried about the future, and she is no longer concerned about her past. Instead of wishing
for her life to go back to the way it once was, before she became blind, and instead of
wishing that her future could be different, Alicia is simply dealing with the life she currently
has. This describes a main theme of the novel, because just like Alicia, Bobby also has to learn
to live with his current situation. The novel tells us that we must each accept ourselves for
who we are, flaws and all, and we must also learn to accept others for who they are, flaws
and all, because nobody is perfect.
© The Book Umbrella
Common Core State Standards
This novel study is aligned to the Common Core State Standards (U.S.)
Grade 4
RL4.1 Refer to details and examples in a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL4.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text; summarize the text.
RL4.3 Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the
text (e.g., a character’s thoughts, words, or actions).
RL4.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including those that allude to
significant characters found in mythology (e.g., Herculean).
L4.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
4 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L4.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 5
RL5.1 Quote accurately from a text when explaining what the text says explicitly and when drawing
inferences from the text.
RL5.2 Determine a theme of a story, drama, or poem from details in the text, including how characters in a
story or drama respond to challenges or how the speaker in a poem reflects upon a topic; summarize the text.
RL5.3 Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
RL5.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative language
such as metaphors and similes.
L5.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
5 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L5.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
Grade 6
RL.6.1 Cite textual evidence to support analysis of what the text says explicitly as well as inferences drawn
from the text.
RL.6.2 Determine a theme or central idea of a text and how it is conveyed through particular details; provide a
summary of the text distinct from personal opinions or judgments.
RL.6.3 Describe how a particular story’s or drama’s plot unfolds in a series of episodes as well as how the
characters respond or change as the plot moves toward a resolution.
RL.6.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative and
connotative meanings; analyze the impact of a specific word choice on meaning and tone
RL.6.5 Analyze how a particular sentence, chapter, scene, or stanza fits into the overall structure of a text and
contributes to the development of the theme, setting, or plot.
L.6.4 Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple-meaning words and phrases based on grade
6 reading and content, choosing flexibly from a range of strategies.
L.6.5 Demonstrate understanding of figurative language, word relationships, and nuances in word meanings.
L.6.6 Acquire and use accurately grade-appropriate general academic and domain-specific words and phrases;
gather vocabulary knowledge when considering a word or phrase important to comprehension or expression.
Novel Study
Things Not Seen
by Andrew Clements
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