Watch out world! There's going to be all kinds of reckonings when this book comes out. I expect to see it shooting up to the top of the New York Times best seller list and for it to be THE topic of discussion and hopefully a catalyst for change. But, what change, I wonder?
Dasani is the invisible child that was profiled in a series the author wrote for the New York Times. The series gave Dasani her ten minutes of fame and she even met the mayor. But what happened after that? Rightfully, the author couldn't let it go and this book tells the story of Dasani and her family's lives after the series ran.

Elliot has done a superb job of both relating the story and backing it up with history and facts. If you don't believe that racism is systemic, you will certainly see it after reading this book. Was there even the possibility of success for this family? What could have been done differently? What are the multitude of ways that we are failing to support those in need? Is it even possible to fix such a broken system?

There's a saying "Fall down seven times, get up eight." It's miraculous that anyone survives a journey like this.

You will experience every emotion imaginable at one point or another in this book. Andrea Elliott picks up the story or Dasani Sykes and her family where her New York Times 2014 series left off. Them Dasani was 11, living in a single room in Brooklyn homeless shelter with her mother, stepfather, and seven siblings. As the oldest girl, she is "parentified" (a word I learned from this book)--acting as the mother of her siblings, getting them up, getting them dressed, getting them to the shelter's free breakfast, getting them to school on time. All the kids have promise, but Dasani is special, she has drive, she is happy to be mentored by her teachers and coaches. She's eighteen at the end of the book. Will she be able to realize some or any of her potential?

"Invisible Child" should be read by everyone. Andrea Elliott's writing is tough and poignant, a terrific piece of reportage. This story will stick with you. Read it.

Many, many thanks to Random House and Netgalley for access to this remarkable book.

I am still recovering from this book. I went to bed at night, wondering where the family was, how they were. Invisible Child literally consumed my thoughts for the last week. I cannot accurately put into words how I felt about this book.
A story that makes you so angry, and then you realize this is just one family. I want to change it all, I can’t change anything. I want to go help them all, I can’t help anyone.
What choices would I make for my children if I were in Chanel’s shoes? Maybe the same, maybe worse? Chanel loves her children. But love can’t save them.
I will need to come back and revise this review, as my thoughts are so jumbled. But invisible Child is a life changing read. This book should be required reading. Thank you Andrea Elliott