Future Flash

Gr 4–6—Seventh-grader Laney is dreading the arrival of the first new kid ever to come to her rural Colorado school. For Laney, when she touches someone for the first time, she will usually have a vision of a moment in their future, and this is not always a pleasant gift. When she gets paired with Lyle as a dance partner in P.E., it is worse than she could even imagine; the future scene is so horrific that she feels linked to him, and that she needs to protect him. Readers will appreciate Murdock's attention to detail in this plot-driven novel of suspense, and will want to stick with Laney as she strives to use her power for good and protect Lyle both from the imminent future and the school bully, Axel. Though the ending is extremely tidy with a heavy-handed lesson on asking adults for help, the balance of tension and foreshadowing will entice reluctant readers.—Danielle Jones, Multnomah County Library, OR