From the award-winning and critically acclaimed author of This Is My America comes another thriller about a wrongly accused teen desperate to recclaim both his innocence and his first love. Life can change in an instant. When you’re wrongfully accused of a crime. When a virus shuts everything down. When the girl you love moves on. Andre Jackson is determined to reclaim his identity. But returning from juvie doesn’t feel like coming home. His Portland, Oregon, neighborhood is rapidly gentrifying, and COVID-19 shuts down school before he can return. And Andre’s suspicions about his arrest for a crime he didn’t commit even taint his friendships. It’s as if his whole life has been erased. The one thing Andre is counting on is his relationship with the Whitaker kids—especially his longtime crush, Sierra. But Sierra’s brother Eric is missing, and the facts don’t add up as their adoptive parents fight to keep up the act that their racially diverse family is picture-perfect. If Andre can find Eric, he just might uncover the truth about his own arrest. But in a world where power is held by a few and Andre is nearly invisible, searching for the truth is a dangerous game. Critically acclaimed author Kim Johnson delivers another social justice thriller that shines a light on being young and Black in America—perfect for fans of The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas and Dear Justyce by Nic Stone. “ Thrilling and poignant , Invisible Son will make your heart pound and break all at once.” –Karen McManus, #1 New York Times bestselling author “Chock full of mystery and suspense, Invisible Son kept me on the edge of my seat with every turn of the page. I laughed, worried, cheered, and was with Andre every step of the way! A gripping must-read. Bravo Kim Johnson, bravo!” –Tami Charles, New York Times bestselling author ★ “A powerful, emotional, and insightful read.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ "Smooth pacing and anticipatory tension imbue this hard-hitting mystery with a chilling atmosphere." — Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ "Johnson's novel is thoughtful, passionate, and eloquent .” —Booklist , starred review " Gut-wrenching ....The isolation of the pandemic and the intensity of the Black Lives Matter protests provide the backdrop to a riveting story line ." —The Horn Book KIM JOHNSON held leadership positions in social justice organizations as a teen. She’s now a college administrator who maintains engagement throughout the community while also mentoring and supporting Black youth. This Is My America was her award-winning debut novel. She holds degrees from the University of Oregon and the University of Maryland, College Park. Kim lives in the Washington, DC with area her husband and two kids. Find her at KCJOHNSONWRITES.COM and follow her on Twitter and Instagram @kcjohnsonwrites. 1 Don’t Speak February 27, 2020 I live in the whitest big city on the Blackest block. Simultaneously seen and unseen. I used to hate the erasure. But now, well, now I don’t mind if I stay hidden. Especially since MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility is in my literal rearview. But the longer we idle in Portland traffic, the more reality sinks in that that’s not how any of this works. Marcus tries to bury this truth with conversations on moving forward. On possibilities. But it will be as hard to shake the strike against me as it is for the windshield wipers to win their battle against this torrential downpour. Marcus’s and my coexistence in this car proves that fact. There will always be somebody to check me. To explain myself to. To keep at a distance. Which makes who I roll with matter more than ever. And I don’t mean my boy Boogie, who knows I’m more likely to be up late reading Octavia Butler or scouring through my collection of Black Panther comics than be hanging out. I mean my other so-called friends. Correction, white friends who’ve been known to mouth off to an officer without fear. Who don’t think twice about trying to be anything they want. Meanwhile, I’m not trying to be nothing at all. Marcus hands me coffee he picked up from the first drive-thru after we left the facility. Coffee is nasty. My stomach can’t take it, but I also can’t say no to him. I’m so close to semi-freedom—I’m not taking any chances. Not today. “Dre, how you really feeling about all this?” Marcus adjusts his mirror like he’ll see better. “All right.” What am I supposed to say? Living the dream riding with my probation officer? Can’t wait to get home . . . so I can still be under surveillance? I know I’m wallowing in my situation, which isn’t like me. I’m the type to kick my feet and claw my way above water—even if it’s only with words. But staying silent seems like the best way to just get home. Besides, he’s asked this same question fifty-eleven times. He wants something deeper ’cause he takes my silence as not caring. But he’s wrong. I do care. My life felt like it was about to be over until I go