From Publishers Weekly
Although not as ambitious as some of Fine's previous novels (The Tulip Touch; Alias Madame Doubtfire), this thriller featuring a preteen with supernatural powers will hook readers until the last page. Melanie, the deliberately unsympathetic narrator, has no friendsAand doesn't mind, because she prefers reading to being with people. Her teacher assigns her to help out a new girl, Imogen, and Melanie quickly grows interested in Imogen's odd behavior. Whenever Imogen touches the cover of a book, she seems to know what will happen to the characters inside, even to feel their emotions. She can also predict people's futures by holding their photographs. Witnessing Imogen's torment in foreseeing events and suffering along with fictional characters, Melanie is convinced that Imogen's magical powers are a curse, not a blessing. Despite Imogen's protestations, Melanie is determined to do whatever it takes to rid Imogen of her "gifts." Experienced readers will know early on that Imogen's magic is linked to the odd necklace she always wears, but other elements here remain vague. Neither Imogen nor her mother, who horrifies Melanie with her fixation on magic, is well fleshed out, and the significance of the necklace challenges some of the narrative logic (e.g., Why is Imogen oblivious to its effect?). But Fine's storytelling dwarfs such flaws. Drawing readers into the complexities of Melanie's decision, she produces a subtle and absorbing tale. Ages 10-up. (June)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From School Library Journal
Grade 4-6-Melanie gets along with books better than with people, and she likes it that way. Thus, she is less than pleased when her teacher asks her to help out the new girl, especially when she finds that Imogen is reluctant to spend any time reading. However, it soon becomes clear that Imogen's aversion is especially unusual: she seems to be able to predict stories before she reads them, and is extraordinarily empathetic with the characters. Melanie takes on the task of detecting and exorcising her classmate's curse not out of any deep-rooted friendship, but because she can't bear to see anyone so frightened by a book. It also becomes clear to her that clingy Imogen's unpopularity has to do with a necklace she always wears. Sure enough, when Melanie does away with the family heirloom during a swim meet and frees Imogen from its spell, she frees herself from the commitment of being "best friends," and is finally left in peace, alone. This quick and easy read is predictable, but fun, and Melanie's wryly independent character lends a unique and comically twisted tone to this novel that should appeal both to fans of school stories and magic.
Nina Lindsay, Oakland Public Library, CA Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
