“The wind was a whisper, a promise of something just beyond reach, and Thomas felt it in his bones.”
— Early in the story, Thomas senses a change in the world around him.
Archivist's Choice
Things That Are
Andrew Clements (2008)
Genre
Fantasy / Children's / Mystery / Science Fiction / Young Adult
Reading Time
160 min
Key Themes
See below
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A blind girl with extraordinary intuition must discern truth from deception when an invisible man threatens her family and a past love reappears, forcing her to trust what she knows but cannot see.
Synopsis
Alicia, a blind but perceptive teenager, navigates a world complicated by the return of her childhood friend, Robert, and the presence of an invisible man named William. William, who can only be perceived through sound and touch, warns Alicia about Robert, claiming Robert is dangerous. The police, however, investigate William, believing him to be the threat. As Alicia's parents try to grant her more independence, she begins her own investigation, relying on her heightened senses and intellect. She discovers the true nature of 'Things That Are' – beings capable of shifting forms and influencing reality. Alicia uncovers a web of deception, realizing William is not the villain he seems, and Robert harbors a sinister secret. A confrontation leads to a battle for control where Alicia must trust her instincts and the unseen to protect herself and her family from betrayal. Ultimately, Alicia's unique perception resolves the conflict and helps her understand the true nature of the forces at play.
Reading time
160 min
Difficulty
Easy
Pacing
Moderate
Mood
Mysterious, Suspenseful, Thought-provoking, Clever
✓ Read this if...
You enjoy mysteries with a unique perspective, where a protagonist's non-visual senses are key to solving the puzzle.
✗ Skip this if...
You prefer fantasy with extensive world-building and magic systems over character-driven suspense.
Plot Summary
A Familiar Voice and an Unfamiliar Presence
Alicia, a blind teenager living in a secluded house with her parents, uses her heightened senses daily. One day, her childhood friend, Bobby, now called Robert, returns. While she is happy to reconnect with him, she senses a peculiar, almost imperceptible shift in the air, a feeling of another presence in the house no one else notices. This unsettling feeling combines with her parents' unusual protectiveness and subtle changes in their behavior, making Alicia's normally reliable instincts wary of something unseen and unspoken. The initial joy of Robert's return is overshadowed by this growing unease.
The Invisible Man's Warning
One night, Alicia is startled by a voice only she can hear. It belongs to a man named William, who introduces himself as invisible. William explains he is a 'thing that is' – a being that exists outside normal human perception. He warns Alicia that she and her family are in danger from a powerful, malevolent entity that also exists invisibly. William urges her to trust her instincts and be wary of those around her, including Robert, as the invisible threat can manipulate human perception and actions. This encounter leaves Alicia both terrified and intrigued, forcing her to confront the reality of things she cannot see but can distinctly sense.
Robert's Shifting Persona
As Alicia spends more time with Robert, she notices subtle but disturbing inconsistencies in his personality. His voice sometimes shifts, his mannerisms change, and he occasionally makes comments that seem out of character for the Bobby she once knew. While he is often charming and supportive, there are moments of abruptness or coldness that make Alicia question his true intentions. She recalls William's warning about the invisible entity's ability to manipulate people and starts to wonder if Robert is truly himself, or if he is being influenced by the unseen danger. Her growing suspicion creates a rift in their rekindling friendship.
The Police Investigation
The police arrive at Alicia's home, led by a detective investigating a series of mysterious incidents and disappearances. They explain they believe an invisible man, identified as William, is responsible for these crimes and is extremely dangerous. They warn Alicia and her family to be on high alert and report any unusual occurrences. This revelation throws Alicia into confusion. William had presented himself as a protector, but the police paint him as a villain. She struggles to reconcile these two opposing narratives, unsure whom to trust. The police presence intensifies the sense of danger and mystery surrounding her family.
Alicia's Independent Investigation
Feeling caught between William's warnings and the police's accusations, Alicia decides to rely on her own heightened senses and intellect to uncover the truth. She begins to actively seek out subtle clues, paying close attention to changes in air currents, faint sounds, and shifts in temperature that indicate an unseen presence. She realizes that her blindness, which forces her to rely on other senses, gives her a unique advantage in perceiving these 'things that are.' She starts to experiment, trying to communicate with William more directly and to understand the nature of the invisible world now intersecting with her own.
The Nature of 'Things That Are'
William explains to Alicia the concept of 'things that are.' He describes them as beings that exist on a different vibrational frequency, making them invisible and intangible to most humans. He reveals there are both benevolent and malevolent 'things that are,' and that the dangerous entity targeting Alicia's family is a powerful, ancient one. William himself is a benevolent 'thing that is' who chose to interact with Alicia because of her unique sensory perception. He elaborates on their abilities to influence thoughts and manipulate the physical world in subtle ways, giving Alicia a deeper understanding of the unseen forces at play and the true nature of the threat.
The Revelation of the True Threat
Through William's guidance and her own acute observations, Alicia uncovers the horrifying truth: the malevolent 'thing that is' not only influences Robert but has been targeting her family for generations. This entity, referred to as the 'Shadow,' seeks to gain full access to the physical world, and Alicia's family line possesses a unique genetic trait that makes them a key to its plan. The Shadow has been subtly manipulating events, causing discord and misfortune, all to achieve its ultimate goal. Alicia realizes that Robert is not entirely evil but is a pawn, his mind being slowly taken over by the Shadow.
Confrontation and Betrayal
Alicia confronts Robert, but it quickly becomes clear that the Bobby she knew is largely gone, replaced by a cold, calculating persona controlled by the Shadow. The entity, speaking through Robert, reveals its full intentions and mocks Alicia's attempts to resist. This confrontation is emotionally devastating for Alicia, as she witnesses the true extent of her friend's manipulation and the threat he now poses. The Shadow, using Robert's voice, tries to sow doubt and fear, attempting to break Alicia's resolve. Alicia realizes she must fight not only for her family but for what remains of Robert's humanity.
The Battle for Control
With William's guidance, Alicia devises a plan to confront and repel the Shadow. William, despite his invisible nature, can exert subtle forces, and Alicia uses her acute senses to pinpoint the Shadow's weak points and direct William's efforts. The house becomes the battleground, with objects subtly shifting, temperatures fluctuating, and unseen forces clashing. Alicia's parents, though unable to perceive the full extent of the battle, sense the intense energy and danger. The climax involves a desperate struggle to sever the Shadow's influence over Robert and to banish it from their home, requiring Alicia to trust her instincts completely and embrace her unique perception.
The Aftermath and Resolution
After an intense struggle, Alicia and William succeed in weakening and banishing the Shadow, freeing Robert from its control. Robert, disoriented and traumatized, slowly begins to recover, though the experience has left its mark. The police, unable to comprehend the true nature of the events, close their investigation, still believing William to be a criminal on the loose. Alicia's parents, while relieved, remain largely unaware of the invisible war that took place. Alicia, however, emerges with a new understanding of the world, her own abilities, and the hidden 'things that are' that exist alongside humanity. She accepts her unique perception as a strength, forever changed by her ordeal.
Principal Figures
Alicia
The Protagonist
Alicia transforms from a girl relying on her heightened senses to navigate the visible world to a heroine who embraces her unique perception to confront and understand the invisible one, accepting her role as a bridge between realities.
Robert (Bobby)
The Supporting/Antagonist (manipulated)
Robert's arc involves being a victim of external manipulation, losing his autonomy to the Shadow, and ultimately being freed by Alicia, though forever marked by the experience.
William
The Supporting/Mentor
William's arc is largely static as he is already a knowledgeable and established entity, serving as a catalyst and guide for Alicia's development.
The Shadow
The Antagonist
The Shadow's arc is one of consistent malevolence, its efforts to manifest and dominate being ultimately thwarted.
Alicia's Parents
The Supporting
Alicia's parents remain largely unaware of the full scope of the conflict, their arc serving to highlight the hidden nature of the story's central conflict.
Themes & Insights
Perception Beyond Sight
The novel explores how true understanding can extend beyond conventional sight. Alicia, being blind, relies on her other senses—hearing, touch, and an intuitive 'sixth sense'—to perceive the invisible world of 'things that are.' This theme is central, as her blindness, initially seen as a disability, becomes her greatest strength, allowing her to detect presences and dangers that sighted people cannot. For example, she senses William's presence and the subtle shifts in Robert's personality, which others attribute to normal behavior, but she knows are signs of something deeper. The story challenges the reader to consider what it truly means to 'see' and to trust senses beyond the visual.
“Just because you can't see something, doesn't mean it isn't there.”
Trust and Deception
The theme of trust and deception is woven throughout the narrative, as Alicia must navigate conflicting information and question the reality presented to her. She is warned by William, an invisible entity, that he is her protector, while the police identify him as a dangerous criminal. Simultaneously, her trusted childhood friend, Robert, begins to exhibit unsettling changes that point to manipulation. Alicia must learn to trust her own instincts above external appearances and authority figures, discerning who is truly a friend and who is an enemy, or a victim of deception. This requires her to develop a sophisticated understanding of truth that goes beyond what is overtly stated or seen.
“Sometimes, the things we think we know best are the most dangerous.”
The Seen and the Unseen Worlds
The novel explores the coexistence of a visible, tangible world and a hidden, invisible one. 'Things That Are' explores the idea that there are dimensions and beings beyond normal human perception, operating just beneath the surface of reality. The conflict arises when these two worlds intersect, particularly through Alicia's unique ability to bridge them. The narrative uses the concept of 'things that are' to represent hidden truths, dangers, and even benevolent forces that influence human lives without being detected by most. It prompts reflection on the limitations of human perception and the vastness of existence.
“There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy.”
Family and Protection
At its heart, the story is about the lengths a family will go to protect its members, and how that protection can be challenged by unseen forces. Alicia's parents are protective of her, particularly due to her blindness, creating a somewhat sheltered environment. However, this protection proves insufficient against an invisible threat that targets their family line. Alicia, in turn, takes on the role of protector, fighting to save not only herself but also Robert and her parents from the malevolent Shadow. The theme highlights the evolution of protection within the family unit and the sacrifices made to safeguard loved ones against unimaginable dangers.
“I had to protect them, even if they couldn't see what I was fighting.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
Heightened Senses
Alicia's blindness amplifies her other senses, allowing her to perceive the invisible world.
Alicia's heightened senses, a direct consequence of her blindness, serve as the primary plot device for her access to the invisible world. Her acute hearing, sense of touch, and innate intuition allow her to detect subtle environmental shifts, unheard voices, and unseen presences that are imperceptible to sighted individuals. This device is crucial for her understanding of 'things that are' and for her communication with William. It transforms what is typically considered a disability into a unique advantage, enabling her to be the only one who can truly perceive and combat the unseen antagonist.
The Invisible World/Things That Are
A hidden dimension of beings existing on a different vibrational frequency.
The concept of 'things that are' establishes the fantastical element of the story. These are beings that exist on a different vibrational frequency, making them invisible and intangible to most humans. This device creates the central conflict, as malevolent 'things that are' (the Shadow) seek to interact with the visible world, while benevolent ones (William) try to maintain balance. It provides the framework for the mystery and the supernatural threats, allowing for events that defy conventional explanation and compelling Alicia to understand and operate within this hidden reality.
The Manipulated Friend
Robert's possession by the Shadow serves as a personal and emotional threat.
The manipulation of Robert by the Shadow is a powerful plot device that introduces a deep emotional layer to the conflict. By possessing Alicia's childhood friend, the antagonist creates a personal betrayal and a moral dilemma for Alicia. She is forced to fight not just an abstract evil, but a corrupted version of someone she cares deeply about. This device heightens the stakes, making the battle more agonizing and forcing Alicia to confront the painful reality that even those closest to her can become instruments of danger, blurring the lines between friend and foe.
Critical analysis
Notable Quotes
“Sometimes, the most important things are the ones you can't quite see, but you know they're there.”
— A recurring theme about the invisible forces at play in the town.
“The town had a secret, and it was a secret that hummed beneath the pavement, pulsed in the air, and whispered in the trees.”
— Describing the pervasive sense of an underlying mystery in the town.
“He didn't believe in magic, not really, but then again, he'd never seen the sun rise quite like that before.”
— Thomas experiences an unusual natural phenomenon that challenges his worldview.
“The library wasn't just a place for books; it was a portal, a memory, a map to everything that was and could be.”
— Thomas discovers the library's true significance in solving the town's mystery.
“Fear was a cold hand on his shoulder, but curiosity was a burning ember in his gut.”
— Thomas faces a frightening situation but is driven by his desire to understand.
“Some truths are too big to be contained in words, too strange to be easily explained.”
— Reflecting on the complex and unusual nature of the phenomena Thomas encounters.
“The world was shifting, not crumbling, but rearranging itself into something new, something... more.”
— Thomas observes the subtle, yet profound, changes occurring around him.
“He learned that the universe had a sense of humor, albeit a very peculiar and sometimes terrifying one.”
— Thomas's encounters with the strange occurrences reveal an unpredictable nature.
“The past wasn't just behind them; it was woven into the fabric of the present, influencing every breath.”
— Thomas uncovers the historical roots of the town's strange phenomena.
“It wasn't about what you saw, but how you saw it, the lens through which you chose to view the world.”
— A lesson about perspective and open-mindedness in understanding the unknown.
“Even the most ordinary day could hold the seed of something extraordinary, if you only knew where to look.”
— Encouraging readers to find wonder in everyday life.
“The silence wasn't empty; it was full of possibilities, full of unspoken questions and unheard answers.”
— Thomas experiences a profound moment of quiet contemplation and realization.
“To truly understand, sometimes you had to let go of what you thought you knew.”
— Thomas's journey requires him to abandon preconceived notions.
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Key Questions (FAQ)
'Things That Are' centers on Alicia, a blind protagonist with remarkably sharp instincts, who finds herself entangled in a mystery involving an 'invisible man' named William. The police claim William is dangerous to her family, forcing Alicia to question her own perceptions and the reality of what she 'sees' versus what she's told.
About the author
Andrew Clements was a prolific author of children's literature, celebrated for his engaging and relatable stories. His notable works include the beloved "Frindle," "A Week in the Woods," and the "Jake Drake" series, which often explored themes of school, friendship, and growing up. Clements' accessible writing style and keen understanding of young readers earned him widespread critical acclaim and a dedicated fanbase.
