When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You) [Mass Market Paperback]

Meg Cabot (Author)

Book Description

Series: 1-800-Where-R-You | Publication Date: December 30, 2003

Just because her best friend wants to exercise, Jessica Mastriani agrees to walk the two miles home from their high school. Straight into a huge Indiana thunderstorm -- and straight into trouble.

Not that Jess has never been in trouble before. Her extracurricular activities, instead of cheerleading or 4-H, include fistfights with the football team and monthlong stints in detention -- luckily, sitting right next to Rob, the sexiest senior around. But this trouble is serious.

Because somehow on that long walk home, Jessica acquired a newfound talent. An amazing power that can be used for good...or for evil.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Kliatt A page-turning read that will have fans lining up for the next Jess story. -- Review

About the Author

Meg Cabot is the author of the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU books (originally published under the name Jenny Carroll), as well as The Mediator series and the #1 New York Times best-sellers All-American Girl and The Princess Diaries series (which was made into a major motion picture by Disney). Meg has written many books for older readers as well. She currently resides in New York City with her husband and a one-eyed cat named Henrietta.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 240 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (December 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0689868278
• ISBN-13: 978-0689868276
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #215,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

27 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Hilarious Must Read!, August 28, 2003

By 

Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You) (Mass Market Paperback)

It was all Ruth's fault. If Ruth hadn't started crying when Jeff Day told her that they would have to bury her in a piano case, then Jessica "Jess" Mastriani would never have punched Jeff in the mouth. Then she wouldn't have been sent to Mr. Goodhart's office, where she had to endure another lecture on temper management, and she wouldn't have been assigned another week of detention. Still, detention wasn't that bad that day because she got to sit next to Rob Wilkins, a hottie who always ended up in the back row (alphabetical order) and she never would have known that he had a totally cherried out Indian motorcycle that she was just dying to ride. It was a sign of her affection for Ruth that she turned down a ride on Rob's motorcycle to walk home with her so that she wouldn't be alone. All Ruth could talk about was how he was a grit and that townies just didn't go out with grits. As if Jess even cared when Rob was so hot! Jess couldn't believe that Ruth was harping about Jess liking Rob when she left her perfectly functional car at home to try and lose weight by walking to school to pick up Jess - with a big storm on the way! The thunderstorm was on them before they knew it and so Jess & Ruth took refuge under the metal bleachers on the football field - where Jess was struck by lightning.

The next morning, Jess woke up knowing the location of two kids whose pictures were on the back of the milk carton. Not just the location, but the exact address. Jess called the number on the back of the carton, gave them the info and quickly hung up. Before Jess knew it, there were reporters camped out around her house, a military base who wanted to study her, FBI agents were following her every step and one of the kids that she found had good reason to want to be lost. So when Jess had to escape from the military compound, get Sean back to his mother (who was in jail), convince Rob to date her even though she was only 16 (he was 18) and then somehow convince everyone that she didn't have this magical power she knew that it was all definitely Ruth's fault...

This was an absolutely hilarious book. Jess is such an great character, very tough and never afraid to say exactly what she is thinking. I was laughing out loud through the whole book. The other characters are great, too, and you wonder if there are any normal people in Southern Indiana. Jess has a pretty cool power, but it doesn't help protect her from anything or anyone so she has to stick up for herself. The storyline was great and kept you guessing as to what Jess was going to do. If you have enjoyed any of Meg Cabot/Jenny Carroll's other books, you will love this one - a must read!

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A thrilling first book in the 1-800-Where-R-You series., September 20, 2001

By 

"shayamorph" - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jenny Carroll, author of the thrilling Mediator series, has begun yet another intriguing new series that begins with a blast. Jess Mastriani never wanted to walk home from school that day, but she did it because of her best friend Ruth. Along the walk, she got struck by lightning -- and almost died. Even though her family was worried about her, she thought she felt fine. But every morning when she wakes up, she suddenly knows the location of missing children. Children that were never thought to be seen again -- until now. When she calls the number to give in the locations of the missing kids, 1-800-Where-R-You, her whole life begins to turn. The government is finding that Jess would be a big help to the community -- the world -- if she could use her abilities for them more regularly. But Jess isn't so sure. Her intentions were good, but the outcomes are beginning to seem dark. Jenny Carroll's intense new series was a blast to read, but I like her Mediator series a bit better. I can't wait to read the second book in this series, Code Name Cassandra.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Jess's life changes all casue of one bolt of lightning, April 10, 2001

By 

Nancy E. "Nancy" (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You) (Mass Market Paperback)

Jessica isn't the most even tempered girl in the world. In fact she's conmstantly getting in trouble for beating up guys much bigger than she is. So one day when walkign home from detention with her friend Ruth she get's hit by lightning. But since she isn't affected by it right away she thinks little of it. But then she starts having dreams about the little kids on the back of the milk cartons. For some strange reason she knows where they are. So she calls the number and tells the person on the line, whose name happens to be Rosemary, where they are. And the dreams don't stop. Suddenly everyone wants to know about this strange girl named Jess who can find the children on the milk cartons. And a group of men from the military wants to put her in a special research facility. And Jess isn't too keen on that.

Just like Jenny Carroll's Mediator Series, her new series 1-800-WHERE-R-U is filled with strong charecters and suspenseful plot lines. IF your a fan of her past work you'll love this series.