The Exceptionals

Gr 7–10—Fifteen-year-old Claire Walker comes from a long line of exceptional people: mind readers, clairvoyants, mediums, telepaths, and mathematical geniuses. Unfortunately her special talent, hearing the thoughts of animals, doesn't rate quite highly enough to earn her entrance into Cambial Academy, a school for exceptionally talented young people that her great-grandfather founded, her siblings attend, and where the family lives since both her parents work there. However, when a disciplinary infraction forces Claire's parents to enroll her in the Academy, a series of mysterious disappearances sets off a chain of destruction long foretold in the visions of the clairvoyants. Claire must use her exceptional skill to discover the missing students and save her school, her family, and her home. Debut novelist Cashman delivers an engaging, exciting twist on the school story, introducing readers to a whole new set of supernatural skills and adventures. With its varied and intriguing cast of characters, The Exceptionals will appeal to a wide range of readers, all of whom will be eager to see if there will be forthcoming adventures at Cambial Academy.—Sara Saxton, Wasilla Meta-Rose Public Library, Wasilla, AK