True Talents [Mass Market Paperback]

David Lubar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 4, 2008 | Age Level: 10 and up | Grade Level: 5 and up

It’s been over a year since fourteen-year-old Eddie “Trash” Thalmeyer and his friends from Edgeview Alternative School found out about their special hidden talents. Trash can move things with his mind, Torchie is a fire-starter, Cheater reads minds, Lucky finds lost objects, Flinch can predict the future, and Martin can see into people’s souls. Now back home with their families, all the boys want to do is get back to their normal lives, start attending high school, and keep in touch with their friends from Edgeview.

 

When Trash tests his power in a bank and accidentally steals a fistful of cash, he is kidnapped by the ruthless leader of a shadowy company whose purpose is to gather information about psychic phenomena—and who is willing to do anything to get it…. Torchie, Cheater, Lucky, Flinch, and Martin join forces to rescue their friend using their hidden talents, and discover their true talents in the process.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–8—A year has passed since the five boys from Hidden Talents (Tor, 1999) left Edgeview Alternative School. An evil former military operative, Major Bowdler, has kidnapped telekinetic 15-year-old Eddie "Trash" Thalmayer, and his supernaturally talented friends must rescue him. The plot—full of top-secret equipment and espionage—is a little confusing, but it moves well, thanks to Trash's snappy and heartfelt narration. Lubar's trademark, genius one-liners are few here, as the sober themes of mortality and the fuzzy area between good and evil prevail. Fortunately, the novel's swashbuckling action balances the mood. The author's writing is as fluid and teen-smart as ever, though discussion of the boys' true talent—their brotherly bond—is occasionally heavy-handed and sentimental. The characters have both depth and sparkle, and the author deftly juggles the ensemble of five funny, thoughtful, distinct boys. Bowdler is just plain, puppy-killing mean, but Lubar gives him dimension by getting into his head. Older elementary and middle school fans of the genre, even those who missed Hidden Talents, should enjoy this one.—Johanna Lewis, New York Public Library
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

Fans of Lubar's Hidden Talents (1999) will be happy to see the paranormals from Edgeview Alternative School back together in an action-packed adventure. Fifteen-year-old "Trash" tests his telekinesis in a bank by moving a stack of cash into his pocket, which sets off a dangerous chain of events, including his kidnapping by shady spooks. Meanwhile, the others in the group gravitate to Philadelphia, where they unite to stop a government conspiracy and uncover their most powerful weapon--the strength of their friendship. Brief chapters alternating among the six characters' stories are interspersed with memos, e-mails, illustrations, and notes that enhance the plot and also break up the text in a way that will draw reluctant readers. Lubar's trademark blend of humor and suspense, complete with explosions, supernatural powers, and just enough gore, will be a hit. Heather Booth
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 10 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Starscape (March 4, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 076534856X
• ISBN-13: 978-0765348562
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #179,430 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

David Lubar is a genuinely funny guy who spent several years programming computer games. He has published several novels for young readers, including Flip, Wizards of the Game and Hidden Talents. Born in New Jersey, David now lives in Pennsylvania with his wife, his daughter, and three cats.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A dramatic story of confrontation and courage, May 12, 2007

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: True Talents (Hardcover)

It's been over a year since teen Eddie and his friends from Edgeview Alternative School have discovered their special hidden talents, which involve PSI and other extra-sensory abilities: now they are back with their families and looking for normalcy, when a kidnapping involves the group in both a rescue and a battle against an organization which seeks to use their talents for evil. A dramatic story of confrontation and courage evolves in an excellent, fast-paced story teen leisure readers at the middle to high school grades will relish.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars my favorite book, June 22, 2007

By 

H. Walker - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: True Talents (Hardcover)

This book is wonderful. I think everyone in the world should read it. The characters are compelling, the plot is intriguing, and the entire concept of it is wonderful.

If you like Holes and you like superheroes (I do), this is your sort of book.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars True Talents, June 19, 2007

By 

R. Buck (Arizona) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: True Talents (Hardcover)

I thought this was a thoroughly enjoyable book. I recommend it to those who have also enjoyed Scott Westerfeld's Midnighters Trilogy.