Recommended by: Alice Robinson, librarian, West Babylon Teachers Association, West Babylon School District, Long Island.
Suitable for: Grades 6-8
Why I chose it: Can you imagine having the ability to read minds and to eavesdrop on private thoughts? Such is Jenna Kelly's secret gift.
But Jenna is not alone; she is placed in a class with eight other "gifted" students whose abilities include communicating with the dead, being invisible and seeing into the future.
Madame, the teacher of the gifted class, warns the class about keeping their gifts a secret and to be wary of unscrupulous persons who would abuse their gifts; yet Jenna is almost fooled by someone who pretends to be a family member.
What I like best: The book deals with problems middle school students might have. We also see how Jenna's classmates handle their gifts. Readers realize, along with some of the characters, that things are not always as they seem.
How teachers can use this book:
The book is fast-paced and full of interesting surprises, which makes it especially good for reluctant readers.
The book is a starting point for discussions on family, self-esteem, ethics, responsibility and other character education themes.
It shows how even responsible adults can be fooled by an imposter, and in an age where one's identity and security are being compromised, the book stresses caution and vigilance.