A Special Power [CD-ROM]

This early teen novel tells an interesting tale about three very special kids. Suzanne has the ability to tell the future. Jessie can read minds; something her parents are less than thrilled about. Greg has Psychokinesis, or the ability to move objects with his mind. He has to have the object in complete visual view at all times to be able to move the object.

All three have difficulties controlling their special powers and have been brought together by Professor Altman as a result of their families' complaints. Professor Altman studies cases of paranormal psychology at the local university. Professor Altman believes he can teach them how to control their powers. He offers them an opportunity to learn how to turn their powers on and off. To do this, they will learn to work together solving some of the problems that people, including the Police, have brought to Professor Altman.

After agreeing to help, various strange events begin to happen. Told in the first person style of narration through Greg, events begin to suggest that he might be losing his mind. Even Greg suspects the worst but his new young friends are convinced that something else is going on. The events continue to build to a surprising conclusion that tests the unique as well as normal abilities of all the kids.

This short novel is very good and was an enjoyable pleasure to read. While not suitable for young children due to the subject matter, it will definitely appeal to those in the early teen years. The violence is minimal and all the characters presented are competent and realistic.

As always, please read the books that your children read. It is up to the parents to determine the appropriateness of any book because after all, who knows your children best?

The narrator, Greg, moves objects with his minds. Jessie reads minds. Suzanne can predict the future. Together they form a team of Extrasensories who are assigned to help Professor Grodkind, who believes someone has been stealing copies of his exam. When a fire breaks out in Professor's Altman's laboratory, the team quickly realizes that there's more than just missing exams afoot. In addition, Greg fears that his powers are slipping even further from his control, endangering everyone around him.

Written from a fascinating premise, A SPECIAL POWER has tension, suspense and enough twists to the plot to keep the reader highly entertained. I hope to see sequels to this one! Perfect reading for young teens, I Highly recommend it.