The Invisible Boy helps to answer these questions and more, creating a further understanding of why the desire to belong drives people to act a certain way.Īccording to the ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle, every friendship that is formed is connected to some form of desire, pleasure, or goodness. How can you make someone feel like they belong? Why is that important? In addition, it is important to stress that a child’s worth should not hinge on the amount of groups they belong to, as every group may not align with their personal ethics. Feeling like you don’t belong can lead to a negative impact on one’s social skills and mental health, which means that accepting others despite their differences is all the more important. Brian wants a friend, but moreover he wants to be seen, feel included, and have a sense of belonging with his classmates. It is important to stress the difference between how we choose to act upon those feelings of invisibility specifically whether we use those feelings to cause harm or, like Brian, to empathize with others instead.Įven from a young age, humans have a deep sense of belonging and seek to form bonds with those around them. The sense of detachment that comes with feeling invisible can have mental consequences and lead people to make questionable choices in order to feel visible and gain acceptance from others.

Experiences similar to Brian’s occur most in marginalized groups that feel neglected or invisible within the society, such as the elderly, orphans, and people experiencing homelessness. Throughout the book, Brian’s appearance becomes more colorful as he makes friends and feels less invisible to those around him. This leads to a friendship that makes Brian feel more visible and confident in himself. When other kids make fun of the new student Justin, Brian empathizes with him and decides to befriend Justin through a drawing. Brian feels invisible to his classmates and teacher, and turns to colorful drawings as a way to make himself feel better. Trudy Ludwig’s book The Invisible Boy is a touching story that poses moral questions about appearance, belonging, and friendship. Read aloud video by Alex Green 1st Grade Guidelines for Philosophical Discussion But when a new student joins his class, he learns that friendship starts with a small act of kindness, and that can make you feel a little less invisible. He isn’t picked for kickball, doesn’t get invited to a birthday party, and struggles to find a partner for a group project. The Invisible Boy is a story about Brian, who feels like he is never noticed by the other students in his class.

Questions for Philosophical Discussion » Summary This story raises questions about appearance, belonging, and friendship through the eyes of a young boy.

The invisible boy