January 28, 2005
YA15: Hidden Talents
I found this author by reading his really funny VOYA column, "Where's Lubar" (pdf of the one I saw) and just had to give him a try.
Hidden Talents
David Lubar
213 pages
Tor Books, 1999
American Library Association “Best Books for Young Adults”
American Library Association “Quick Picks for Young Adults”
Wouldn't it be great to find out that all the trouble you were getting into was really caused by some special paranormal power and that you could learn to control it instead of letting it mess up your life?
This is an easy, quick read. I think even younger (9-12) kids would enjoy it. It features Martin Anderson, a 13 year old boy who gets shipped off to Edgeview Alternative school (after being kicked out of other schools and groups for mouthing off to teachers) and who figures out that his new friends are really quite special (Cheater is telepathic, Trash is telekinetic, Flinch is clairvoyant, etc.)
You can read the first chapter here if you'd like.