The Hypnotists

Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Jackson Opus knows that he is a little different and that people sometimes act odd around him. But when his New York City bus driver suddenly starts driving like a madman and his psychiatrist tries to jump out the window, Jax thinks it's more than a little strange. Turns out, Jax is a hypnotist, a person capable of capturing others' minds and bending them to suggestions. It's not an easy power to master. Fortunately, Jax is taken under the wing of Dr. Elias Mako of the Sentia Institute, where he, along with others with similar powers, learns how to control his ability. But with great power comes great responsibility, and his gift makes him a ripe target for those who want to use him to "bend" others. Can Jax determine who is friend and who is foe in a world in which his own mind can be used against him? Korman delivers a quick and thrilling adventure with accessible characters and a familiar urban landscape. While the overall story and world-building run thin at times, readers looking for an action-filled plot will enjoy this contemporary story of psychic powers and betrayal. The dramatic tone may be unexpected for fans who know Korman for high jinks and humor, but it should be a good fit for fans of his "Titanic" trilogy (Scholastic).—Stephanie Whelan, New York Public Library