by
4.4 of 5 stars
Chase Devereaux is a fifteen year old boy under a great deal of stress. He has to give a speech today for his Oral Communications class, and he's t... read full description

reviews

Mar 16, 2011
Nancy rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Chase Devereaux is a shy, sensitive and unpopular 15-year-old who is not at all like the kids who are cocky, athletic and popular with students and teachers alike.

All he wants to do is get through the day, but the bullies won't let him.

I recalled very painful memories of my own younger brother who was sensitive, smart, and so not into sports. He managed to survive his school years, though many others are not as fortunate.

I enjoyed reading this very shor More...
7 comments like (19 people liked it)
Apr 14, 2011
Jeff added it
This is a short story I have written. It is free, and I encourage readers to share it with anyone they feel may enjoy it. The theme of the story is timely, as it relates to teen bullying. (New cover image added 4/15/2011)
1 comment like (12 people liked it)
Aug 19, 2011
Kate rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This was a fantastic short story about bullying. It inspired me to tell my own tale, something I have never told anyone before. I'm a little nervous about sharing it but here I go.

I was a victim of bullying.

I was bullied for one whole year, my last year of elementary school. Before this I'd been popular. That girl who's friends with everyone. Smart. Kinda shy. But that was before I became pretty too. Baby fat melted away and my shirts all got a little tighter in the chest. I More...
2 comments like (2 people liked it)
Nov 24, 2011
This is a story I will recommend to every teacher to share with their class. It is a story that relates to a serious growing problem in high schools, in middle schools every day and It is one I have had my own personal troubles with.

It is an in your face story that has dialogue exactly as it would in high school, with the harsh evil words of ignorant children. This one really drew an emotional response from me as it brought me back to the days of high school when I skipped classes just More...
May 24, 2011
MsMiz (Tina) rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I cried....
2 comments like (2 people liked it)
Aug 06, 2011
L.M. rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Tonight I was looking for something quick to read and this one caught my eye. I didn't imagine it was going to take me so long to get through. Even though I am neither male nor gay, I was tearing up constantly at the memories this brought back for me. I literally have tears running down my face right now so I can barely see the computer screen in front of me.

Bullying in schools is something that lasts with you for the rest of your life. It never truly goes away though thankfully th More...
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Feb 16, 2012
Musiclover13 rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This short story shows the day in the life of 15-year-old Chase Devereaux. He's extremely nervous because has to give a speech for his Oral Communications class, but he mostly just wants to get through the day without being bullied. As long as he's invisible, he's had what could be considered a good day.

I have to admit that this was a difficult story to read. Fortunately, I never experienced bullying like this when I was in school, but as I progressed through the story, I just wanted to cry for More...
May 10, 2011
Alyosha rated it: 4 of 5 stars
It's free and great and everyone should read it. Trent is the kind of guy every class in high school needs. I might have gotten a bit teary-eyed by the end.
3 comments like (2 people liked it)
Aug 15, 2011
Ronna rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Short story highlighting the story of a teen tormented by the school bully and what it took for someone to speak out on his behalf. Well written, sad commentary on being an outsider and how traumatizing school can be if you are. I was heart-broken for Chase the lead, and though he had a couple of small victories at the end of the book, I certainly don't believe the bully was shamed enough to discontinue his evil ways. I was angered not only by other kids in a position to help who didn't and e More...
Jun 15, 2011
Debbie rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Very good short story about a high school student, Chase, who thinks that a good day is one where he is "invisible" - at least no one makes fun of him.

Chase tries so hard to fit in, but kids can be incredibly cruel. As we follow Chase on a day at school, things go from bad to worse and it is downright painful to see what he goes through. <spoiler> It just seems that nothing will go right for Chase...or will it? </spoiler>.

Very much worth a read, an More...
Feb 13, 2012
Del rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I can't help shaking as I read this one. It suddenly transported me back to those days when I seated in class, feeling nervous to give out my speech as well. The only difference is, I never wished to be invisible and never had to deal with bullying.

It is a wonder we take for granted our ability to breeze along the day until it ended while others struggle to get through one hour, two hours ... hell ... a day! It may seem to be a relief to finally lie down on your bed and a dread once More...
Apr 21, 2011
Nicci rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Invisible by Jeff Erno blew me away. It is one thing to read or hear about youth bullied by their peers in the news. It’s another to experience first hand through the narration of the main character. We are right there with Chase as he tells us his thoughts, his emotions, the harm bullying does to his self-esteem.

Written in 1st person, Chase tells his story in an almost stream of conscious narrative. The author does a tremendous job in getting his message across to the readers. More...
1 comment like (4 people liked it)
Mar 18, 2011
Janice rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I just read this. I honestly can't come up with adequate words to tell you how badly you NEED to read this story.
It is heartbreaking, honest and most unfortunate of all-relevant.
I wish there was not a need to read this book but there is. People of all ages, genders, sexual preferencesmneed to read this. Even if you are not and do not know anyone LBGT i can guarantee you will relate in some way. I intend to "be a Brad" as often as possible and necessary.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Dec 05, 2011
Kristina rated it: 4 of 5 stars

- 15 pages, 15! It's crazy.. I adore this short story. It is so real and heartbreaking.
I wish there were more people like Trent! I would've loved this to be a full story though. I think Jeff could've done it if he wanted too! - In my mind, i see Trent and Chase as a couple . . Maybe it's just me? And i wanted SO badly to know what happened in the end.
May 24, 2011
Matt rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This very short-story was a joy to read. The main character, Chase, is 15 years old, gay, unpopular and very sensitive. I really liked him a lot. He tries so hard to just fit in with his class mates and get through the day, but, the school bullies are determined to make his life hell.

Before I got to the ending, I thought I knew how it was going to end. And I didn't think it would be a good ending. Boy was I mistaken. If you like reading stories that inspire a nenewed hope in the goo More...
Jul 15, 2011
Kim rated it: 5 of 5 stars
A brief story, and yet, captivating. Not only did it evoke a realization that there's a very thin line between doing something bad and not doing anything about it, but also, most importantly, that we could make a difference.

Inspiring and, perhaps, unforgettable.
Jun 26, 2011
Charles rated it: 4 of 5 stars
A very strong portrait of teen bullying and its effect on a child's self-esteem.

I wish Chase had done something to contribute toward the hopeful ending, but I am glad for the hope and inspiration this story offers.

Thank you, Jeff, for making it free to share.
Sep 10, 2011
Robert rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Powerful, moving, well done. This short story, a far too accurate portrayal of high school, is a tragedy compounded by the ending (a clarion call for integrity and justice) that is so rarely heard. Thank you Erno for speaking.
Jul 06, 2011
Carla rated it: 5 of 5 stars
This is a really well done short story. I read this for free on Goodreads and I can tell you that it is better than many of the short ebooks that I've paid for in the past. It's not necessarily a story about a gay teenage boy; it's a story about everyone who's ever been picked on for being different. The author has several good messages and presents them very well in a short time frame. I'd love to read a longer book about these characters. That is after all the mark of a good story; when you co More...
Mar 12, 2011
Robert rated it: 5 of 5 stars
It's amazing to me that Jeff was able to capture the essence of a bullied teen in such a short story.

Invisible carries an important message that should be shared with everyone, regardless of their sexual orientation or background.
2 comments like (3 people liked it)
Jun 01, 2011
Bookbee rated it: 5 of 5 stars
What a great message! Everyone should have a Trent in their lives...

No...I changed my mind...Each ONE of US should be a Trent in someone's life!!! Think how we could change the world!

Go read! It's good and it's free - a winning combination!

Thank you Jeff Erno!
May 16, 2011
Sergey rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Poignant and beautiful. Highlights the growing need for education on bullying, but provides a promise of friendship and hope at the end. I really enjoyed this.
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Jul 30, 2011
Lakeisha rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Bullying should be illegal...i cried and cried and cried...all now writing this im crying...THIS NEEDS TO STOP!!!!
Jul 03, 2011
Laura M rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Heartbreaking story about a gay student being bullied at school. It is very emotional and intense without the sex and romance.
Feb 06, 2012
Dee rated it: 5 of 5 stars
My heart is in my throat and I'm choking back the tears. Thank you Jeff Erno. It was beautiful!
0 comments like (1 person liked it)
Aug 19, 2011
Byron rated it: 5 of 5 stars
I hate short stories.... normally.. but this, this was just beautiful...
Feb 04, 2012
Jason rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Excellent short story on bullying and the effects it has on teens.
Feb 01, 2012
Amanda rated it: 4 of 5 stars
Super short, sad and sweet. Would make a great full length novel.
Mar 21, 2011
Lilli rated it: 5 of 5 stars
Very short, but poignant, powerful and thought-provoking and ultimately uplifting. This little story hits a nerve and will probably stay with me for a while. Read it.
3 comments like (2 people liked it)
Mar 09, 2011
Anke rated it: 5 of 5 stars
You did it again, Jeff! Amazing!
0 comments like (1 person liked it)