Content Warning: This section discusses child abuse, murder, racism, racist violence, and police brutality.

Invisible Son begins with Andre Jackson’s return home after spending time in a juvenile detention center. As he arrives, he wonders if life will be the same as it was before. Over the course of the novel, he learns that his family still loves and respects him. Moreover, as he uncovers the Whitakers’ secrets, he learns that no family or home life is ever as perfect as it seems.

Andre’s life back at home is different at first because he must abide by strict restrictions, which alienates him and makes him feel self-conscious within his community. He says, “All I wanted was to come home, so I had no problem with having community monitoring instead of a longer detention sentence” (10). However, the reality of the community monitoring is difficult for him because it is a constant reminder that he is being watched. When he first ventures out of the house to run errands with his friend, Marcus expects him to call and report his whereabouts. Likewise, Andre also struggles with the recognition that some people, like Sierra, initially assume that he really was guilty. Nevertheless, with the loving support of his friends and family, Andre begins to readjust and regain his confidence.