
Reach for this book when your teenager feels like they are hiding their true self to fit in with the crowd. This quiet, magical realism story follows Bridget, a girl with psychic abilities who intentionally suppresses her gifts to appear normal. Her life changes when she meets Althea, a vulnerable newcomer who is being targeted by peers. Bridget realizes that staying hidden is no longer an option if she wants to be a person of integrity. The book explores themes of self-acceptance and the moral weight of our personal talents. It is a gentle, sophisticated read for the middle-to-high school transition, offering a thoughtful look at the courage required to be an individual rather than just another face in the hallway.
Sweet, age-appropriate high school crush and developing relationship.
Ghostly occurrences and psychic visions might be slightly spooky for sensitive readers.
The book deals with social ostracization and bullying in a very direct, grounded way. The resolution is hopeful and empowering, focusing on the protagonist's internal growth.
A thoughtful thirteen or fourteen-year-old who feels 'too much' or who has a secret talent they are afraid to share because it might make them look 'weird' to their peers.
This is a safe 'read cold' book, though parents might want to discuss the scene where Althea is first targeted to talk about the difference between being a bystander and an upstander. A parent might see their child shrinking themselves to fit into a social group or witness their child standing by silently while another student is mistreated.
Younger readers (12) will focus on the cool factor of the magic powers. Older readers (15+) will connect more deeply with the romantic subplots and the nuance of social hierarchy.
Unlike many YA fantasy novels that focus on world-saving stakes, this is a deeply internal, character-driven 'suburban fantasy' where the stakes are primarily emotional and social. """
Bridget is a high school student who has spent years perfecting the art of being ordinary, despite her powerful telekinetic and telepathic abilities. She is part of a secret lineage, including an aunt who embraces her gifts, but Bridget fears social isolation. When a strange and fragile girl named Althea Peale moves to town, she becomes the target of school bullies and local gossip. Bridget realizes Althea is being haunted or influenced by malevolent forces only Bridget can see. She must choose between her comfortable, 'normal' life and the scary responsibility of using her magic to protect someone else.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
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