Invisible

The climax of the story occurs when the students finally put aside their differences for good and cooperate to find a way to tell Celeste about the job offer at the restaurant. Each of them shows a different side of themselves, bringing out attributes that were once hidden or invisible, and in their efforts to help someone in need, they prove that their conscientious concern for others extends to improving the very community that still does not fully accept them for who they are. In order to thwart their antagonist, Mrs. Grouser, each must put forth effort and risk getting in trouble if their altruistic mission is misinterpreted by the school staff. When George realizes that he is the only one left who can get word to Celeste, he makes a sacrifice he originally did not plan to make as he willingly risks his chances of receiving a letter of recommendation from Principal Powell.

The language barrier between Celeste and the other students leaves him responsible for passing along the news, and he does so successfully while the other students provide distractions and delaying tactics to thwart the adults. Their collective success eventually comes to be seen as a community achievement and a positive mark on the school’s reputation. Thus, the students’ efforts to help Celeste represent a triumphant culmination of the theme of Individual Identity and Group Solidarity. In the end, all the students make new strides in their own lives and feel much more visible in the community, and they also enjoy the social benefits of a whole new group of friends that they never expected to make.

In the final scene of the story, the students’ Spanish teacher observes that individuals within groups should be recognized for their unique strengths even as the positive rapport and cohesiveness of the group is supported by everyone involved. This sense of belonging is what allows George to feel comfortable being both Latino and American, as demonstrated when he comfortably interchanges English and Spanish: “No, I already said that no one made me do it. Mi culpa, mi idea” (183). Similarly, when Miguel and Dayara finally feel understood rather than judged and stereotyped, they gain space to become assertive enough to reach out to their teachers for support in their studies. Therefore, when the group stands together for a photo, each student proudly wearing a newly awarded medal, it is symbolic of the strides they took for the community and the strides they took within their own lives. By demonstrating Kindness Inspired by Adversity, they will hopefully inspire others to reach out to help those in need and uphold the school’s slogan, “Conrad Cares” (128).

The illustrations and coloring in Invisible not only provide intricate aesthetic details and striking visual appeal, but they also add vibrancy to the story’s setting and the beauty of individuality. With high contrasts and strong colors accented by solid black lines, each panel provides a place for the reader’s eye to sit and rest. Epstein experiments with several different illustrative styles, varying between more and less detail and occasionally incorporating superhero-like action panels. One striking example of this conscious stylistic shift occurs when the students all bolt off in separate directions to undertake their final mission. A separate, uniquely colored panel is given to each character, who runs with determination in their eye and stride. Comic-style action sounds like “ack” and “fwee” add humor and a lighter tone to a novel that deals with a difficult subject. In order to draw the readers’ attention toward individual panels and encourage them to take their time in absorbing the reading material, panels are sometimes separated by vast areas of white space, such as when each student’s individual accomplishments are shown. Additionally, this scene receives its own day and chapter, as if to suggest that these accomplishments are pivotal and life-changing events for the students.