Invisible Boys (ATOM Study Guide)

It’s 2017 and as the same-sex marriage plebiscite rages across the nation, Charlie, a fiery teen punk, lives in the remote town of Geraldton, Western Australia – a world where ‘the winds blow so hard even the trees can’t grow straight’. He hides his sexuality from his bandmates, his estranged mother, and the school priest/confidante. But when a one-off encounter is exposed, Charlie is outed and suddenly everyone in the conservative town knows his secret.

Charlie soon discovers he’s not alone: two other boys at his school are also coming to terms with their own sexuality. Zeke is a people-pleaser, who’s made to feel like a sinner in the eyes of his strict parents. Hammer is an alpha footy player being scouted by the AFL, trying to uphold his relationship while honouring his Indigenous heritage.

After a failed attempt to leave town, Charlie meets the handsome farmer, Matt. The chemistry is immediate, and these two opposite men form a bond. But will Charlie’s rage issues and desire to live in the spotlight cause a rift between him and the first person he’s ever truly loved?

Zeke will be challenged to build his own sense of self-worth after years of being treated like the black sheep by his family. As conflicts rise in the lead-up to his brother’s wedding, Zeke will be forced to decide if he will settle for crumbs of affection and the begrudgingly token displays of acceptance from his family. Or will he finally realise his true worth?

Meanwhile, Hammer will be forced to challenge the strict masculine ideals he has based his identity around. He struggles with anxiety as he develops an attraction to Zeke, someone he’s mocked and taunted for most of high school. Will he find the strength to truly be himself and honour his heart? And would he be willing to be Australia’s first openly gay AFL footballer while also negotiating the inevitable racism he’s sure to face as an Indigenous man?

Ultimately these boys will be drawn together to create a unique, surprising bond that will protect and challenge them, as choices will be made that will change their lives forever.

Curriculum Links:

Invisible Boys is relevant to senior students in the learning areas of:

• Health and Physical Education
• English
• Community Services (VET)

It would also be of interest for tertiary-level studies of: Gender Studies, Social Work, Counselling, Youth Work, Media and Cultural Studies.

Invisible Boys has relevance to the General Capabilities of Ethical Understanding, Critical and Creative Thinking, Intercultural Understanding and Personal and Social Capability.

Key themes/topics explored include:

• Homosexuality
• Identity and belonging
• Coming of age
• Mental health
• Respectful communication
• Inclusion and acceptance