Impossible Things

August 1, 2008
Gr 5-7-Cassidy Silver thinks that surviving seventh grade may require special powers. Her best friend has abandoned her for the popular girls, whose mean-spirited teasing is relentless. Her teacher Mr. McMaran is not only boring, but he's also disgruntled. And her little brother, who is also teased at school, needs Cassidy to look out for him. But the 12-year-old doesn't have special powers, and she feels that she can't bother her mom with problems. Her dad is on an extended engineering job in the Middle East, and her mother is keeping so busy volunteering and painting that she doesn't seem to have time for anything else. Then a new girl, Victoria, appears on the scene, and she claims to be telekinetic. Does she really have a special power? Can Cassidy learn telekinesis too? The answers may surprise readers. The compassionate protagonist approaches her troubles with patience and good humor, and she is a good friend to Victoria, who is facing her own family difficulties (including an older half brother who steals). The theme here is how to deal with bullying-by peers, teachers, and family members. Realistic fiction with a twist, "Impossible Things" should appeal to thoughtful readers, who may gain insight into standing up to their own bulliesno supernatural powers required."Laurie Slagenwhite, Baldwin Public Library, Birmingham, MI"

Copyright 2008 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

April 15, 2008
Quirky outcast Cassidy Silver feels friendless in seventh grade after being dumped by her best friend. But then Victoria, who doesnt like to talk about her past, moves to town and befriends Cassidy, who is intrigued and fascinated by Victorias claim that she has telekinetic powers. Cassidy believes that if she can learn telekinesis, too, she could get back at the bully who has been harassing her little brother, also a quirky outcast. But is Victoria lying about her telekinetic abilities, and about other things, too? As Cassidy sorts out how she feels about her new friend, she slowly but surely grows more secure in herself and develops a solid group of friends among the other outcasts of her class. There are too many plotlines, muddying the overall impact of the story, but the paranormal powers that Victoria claims provide an alluring twist to the unreliable new friend trope.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2008, American Library Association.)