Touched

Gr 7–10—Nick Cross hears a voice in the back of his mind that tells him his future. That's how he knows he's going to save little Emma Reese from drowning, just as soon as he gets back to the lifeguard stand. Running behind, he impulsively stops to save another teen from getting hit by a truck, and that one decision changes the course on which he thought he was headed. Now his future is thrown out of sync. As Nick tries to pull everything back on track by alternating between following "the script" and veering off it, nothing happens the way he wants. The only thing that he's sure about is that he needs to stay away from Taryn, the girl whose life he saved. Teens will enjoy the fantasy element of Nick's gift/curse while struggling with him to learn the origins of it. Nick narrates his story, so readers are pulled in with what he's told to do (the voice appears in italics) and what he really does. As he learns more about his past and his ability, readers go along for the ride. A few twists and turns help keep the plot moving, along with Nick and Taryn's friendship.—Natalie Struecker, Rock Island Public Library, IL