Young Adult Literature; Coming-of-Age; Magical Realism
Young Adult Literature
Because it's told from the perspective of a fifteen-year-old, Things Not Seen is definitely geared toward a younger audience. The scenario that Bobby Phillips wakes up to is horrifying, but the novel describes it in a gentler, more whimsical way for younger readers. The language is simple, and even the romantic aspect is of the puppy love variety; for Pete's sake, Alicia and Bobby never even kiss.
Coming of Age
Ah, the joys and pains of growing up. Bobby Phillips is definitely in the middle of his teenage angst and self-discovery period when he wakes up to find that he's invisible. In your typical coming of age story, the main character goes through a trial and learns more about themselves in the process—which is exactly what happens to Bobby. His newfound condition accelerates the process of "finding himself," since he is literally trying to find himself (or his visibility again), while wrestling with his parents over how he wants to live out his life.
He may not be an adult by the end (which is something that usually happens in the coming of age genre), but Bobby is most definitely well on his way.
Magical Realism
Bobby's dad would probably say that there is a scientific explanation for everything, but that doesn't make Bobby's sudden invisibility any less magical. Magical realism is what happens when some magical stuff happens in an otherwise boring, typical environment, and this book takes a normal boy, from a normal family, living in a normal American suburb, and puts him into an extraordinary situation. Everything else in the world is still the same… except for the fact that faulty electric blankets can turn people into invisible beings. That's pretty different.