''Things That Are'' is a young-adult book by

Andrew Clements Andrew Elborn Clements (May 29, 1949 – November 28, 2019) was an American author of children's literature. His debut novel '' Frindle'' won an award determined by the vote of U.S. schoolchildren in about 20 different U.S. states. In June 2015 ...

. Released in 2008 by

Philomel Books Philomel Books is a children's literature imprint of Penguin Books USA. The imprint was founded by Ann Beneduce, who was succeeded as publisher by Patricia Lee Gauch. Philomel publishes the series of children's books '' The Ranger's Apprentic ...

, the book is a sequel to '' Things Hoped For''.

Plot

The story is about 17-year-old Alicia, Bobby's girlfriend who the reader learned about in '' Things Not Seen''. The main plot centers around her journey of self-reassurance and courage. The story also includes short exchanges between Alicia and her "brain fairy" in which they argue over a present topic. The "brain fairy" always annoys Alicia and calls her names. The story starts out with Bobby coming home from New York to Chicago to visit Alicia. He was unknowingly followed by an invisible man named William. The

FBI The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is the domestic Intelligence agency, intelligence and Security agency, security service of the United States and Federal law enforcement in the United States, its principal federal law enforcement ag ...

start to intervene because of an arrest warrant on William. Alicia and Bobby then help William use an electric blanket to return him to his previous state. William then returns to his wife and daughter in

Montreal Montreal is the List of towns in Quebec, largest city in the Provinces and territories of Canada, province of Quebec, the List of the largest municipalities in Canada by population, second-largest in Canada, and the List of North American cit ...

Characters

Main

* Alicia Van Dorn – A 17-year-old girl who is blind. * Bobby Phillips (known as Robert Phillips in ''Things Hoped For'') – Alicia's boyfriend but friend before.

Minor

* Mr. Van Dorn – Alicia's dad, a professor * Mrs. Van Dorn – Alicia's mom * James William Townshend – the invisible man introduced in '' Things Hoped For'' * David Phillips – Bobby's dad, a scientist * Emily Phillips – Bobby's mom, a professor

References

2008 American novels American young adult novels Books by Andrew Clements Philomel Books books {{2000s-child-novel-stub