The Invisible Boy

Sally Gardner's books are really interesting to read, such as 'I, Coriander' that i've read last year. But i'm not reviewing 'I, Coriander' right now, i want to look at another great work of Sally Gardner called 'The Invisible Boy'.

Mr and Mrs Ray have won a trip to the moon but Sam, their son, isn't twelve yet, which is the minimum required age for the trip. Sam is supposed to stay with his friend Billy for 2 weeks until his parents get back from the trip. Unfortunately, Billy is sick and Sam can't come stay with him. Mr and Mrs Ray have considered to cancel the trip for they can't leave Sam home alone. Their wicked neighbour, Hilda Hardbottom volunteers to take care of Sam. He is forbidden to go to school and has to take care of his own meal. Sam's parents' space ship turns out to be missing and they are considered to be dead. So everything starts to be hopeless for Sam. Hilda Hardbottom then plans her way to taking over the insurance money and getting rid of Sam. One night, an alien turns up from tiny space ship in a garbage bin. It's called Splodge. It makes friend with Sam, gives him the ability to be invisible and helps Ernie and Sam fix the radio so they can contact with the lost space ship. Sam uses his ability to freaks out Hilda and Maureen Cook, who would give the Hardbottoms the money if she is sure that Sam is fine staying with them. Finally, Hilda Hardbottom is accused by Maureen and reaches her dream of being on the local news that she always wants but under the name of the evil neighbour. Sam is finally united with his family and so is Splodge.
It's a really great story of aliens, magic and foster parents. It sounds a bit like 'Cinderella' but a bit more humorous (Splodge being the fairy godfather, funny).