This novel tells the tale of one unusual family from multiple perspectives over a period of about forty years. Starting from young Giordana’s perspective, her life really begins the summer her delighted cousin Alek asks her, “what do you want, to be invisible, or to fly?” She chooses invisibility, and doesn't think a thing about it until she is standing in front of the bathroom mirror, watching herself slowly fade away. At the time, he also bestowed the gift of flight on her brother Ben, but it is not until years later Ben discovers this ability. The story jumps through time and characters as they discover their own powers, and how they use them. Amsterdam takes a wish that many of us have – to have an ability that is impossible – and puts it in his character’s hands. Eventually the tale returns to Alek and his struggle with how he deals with his own power, and the way he is perceived by others. The true beauty of this story is, even with superpowers, these characters can't find the courage to talk to each other about their astounding, scary and superhuman talents. Which makes them all the more faulted than without the powers. What power would you choose? Would you be ready to deal with the consequences? What Amsterdam writes in answer to these questions is why this is one of my favorite books of the year.
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