Product Description

American Library Association “Best Books for Young Adults”
American Library Association “Quick Picks for Young Adults”

Martin Anderson and his friends don’t like being called losers. But they’ve been called that for so long even they start to believe it. Until Martin makes an incredible discovery: each of his friends has a special hidden talent.

Edgeview Alternative School was supposed to be end of the road. But for Martin and his friends, it just might be a new beginning.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61489 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 224 pages

Features

• ISBN13: 9780765342652
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
• Click here to view our Condition Guide and Shipping Prices

From Publishers Weekly
After being expelled from any number of schools, 13-year-old Martin winds up at Edgeview, a publicly funded boarding school and a last-chance alternative. Martin, who narrates, doesn't seem like a delinquent, but he just can't stop himself from taunting his teachers. By the end of his first day he has infuriated the whole staff. Of the kids, Bloodbath is a terror, as are his cronies, but Martin's roommate, "Torchie," is nice enough, although he constantly denies starting the fires that flare up wherever he goes. The other boys Martin gets to know similarly refuse to own up to the particular behavior that landed them at Edgeview. Readers expecting a typical resolution, wherein the boys accept responsibility for their misdeeds, are in for a surprise. Martin's buddies aren't liars and troublemakers at all; unbeknownst even to themselves, they're endowed with paranormal powers: Cheater is telepathic, Trash is telekinetic, Flinch is clairvoyant, etc. Led by Martin, who finally discovers his own hidden talent, the six use their abilities to save Edgeview from Bloodbath and his gang's attempts to sabotage a state inspection. The stakes are a little suspect (would these boys really develop such passionate school spirit?), but on the whole Lubar (Kidzilla) serves up great fun, along with an insight or two for those whose powers are only too human. Ages 12-up. (June)
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal
Grade 6-8-Edgeview Alternative School represents the end of the line for Martin Anderson. At 13, he's been kicked out of every school in his district, and feels more than a little skeptical about making a new start in this lonely, gray place. Still, he begins to establish tentative friendships with his pyromaniac roommate, Torchie, and a few of the other kids. They band together to form some small wall of protection against the school's most disturbed bully, Lester Bloodbath. Soon, Martin suspects that his friends are far more than ordinary misfits, and he confronts them with his theories about their psychic powers. His excitement in his discovery turns to disappointment when they turn against him out of fear of being labeled freaks. Fortunately, a class science experiment finally gives Martin the evidence he needs to persuade his friends of their talents. He coaches them as they learn to control their powers and leads them as they face their greatest challenge: a battle with Bloodbath that will decide the fate of the school. This plot is the stuff of most teenagers dreams-the discovery that you and your friends have superpowers. Unfortunately, the story suffers from a frustratingly slow pace and an awkward writing style that alternates between Martin's first-person narrative and letters, memos, and brief boxes of dialogue. Also, the characters lack detail and definition. Stephanie Tolan's Welcome to the Ark (Morrow, 1996) is a darker, but more satisfying tale of extrasensory abilities.
Kelly P. Kingrey, Sabine Parish Library, Many, LA
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Edgeview Alternative School is the school of last resort for troubled junior-high kids and failed teachers. And it's here that Martin Anderson, who has been kicked out of every school he has ever attended, arrives, only to find himself in trouble from the start. His smart mouth does him in every time. However, he soon makes friends with "Torchie," supposedly a fire starter; "Cheater," suspected of copying other students' work; "Lucky," presumed thief; and, later, "Trash," known for throwing things around. What the five don't know but slowly find out is that each has a special hidden extrasensory talent. The story is a bit simplistic, and some minor characters are stereotypical, for example, "Bloodbath" the bully. But the interrelationships between the five misfits and their interactions with the teachers are credible, and the dialogue is right on target. With plenty of humor, this is a good bet for reluctant readers as well as for kids who like offbeat fiction. Sally Estes

Customer Reviews

Holes by Sachar Meets X-Files
David Lubar presents a bleak situation for one young Martin Anderson. Martin has been to many schools, all of which he has been kicked out of for smarting off. He is sent to his last chance for an education, Edgeview Alternative School. He tries his best not to irritate his new teachers, but finds that he cannot help himself. Soon, he finds others who cannot help themselves either.

This book is a great story for kids who are struggling with authority, difficulty making friends, dealing with angry parents, or who are looking for a sequel to "Holes" by Louis Sachar. I found it entertaining, and interesting.

David Lubar is a talent on the rise.
For years, I've watched David Lubar fine tune his writer's craft. He's moved from his "Kidzilla" series for TOR to his "Monster" series for Scholastic to this distinctive YA novel, "Hidden Talents." With each step he takes along the writers road, Lubar gets a little better...a little stronger...a little closer to the mark.

I loved the character's David created for "Hidden Talents." I love the way his quirky kids interacted. And I love the way they joined together to prove at least two things --- that kids are not without power, and that David Lubar has his finger on the pulse of just what those powers might be.

Well done, David. I can't wait to read "Monster Road."

Kelly Milner Halls, Freelance Writer/Reviewer

Fine misadventures of youth
When it comes to adult authority. junior high school student Martin Anderson cannot keep his mouth shut as he rejects the constant advice with smart answers and insults. He has been expelled from six schools, the boy scouts, and the little league. He rides the bus to his final destination the prison-like Edgeview Alternative School, an institution used to lock up the violent and other losers (where is Pink Floyd when you need them?)

Martin realizes he must be on the cutting edge to survive the ready fists of bully Bloodbath and the shock therapy of Warden, (make that Principal) Davis. On the plus side Martin meets four fellow weirdoes with special psychic powers. Torchy lights fires without matches or lighters; Cheater copies test answers from anyone sitting anywhere; Lucky steals anything; and Trash trashes stuff. Martin believes his only power is what adults label acerbic while he would say satirical tongue. The five losers band together as Martin discovers his HIDDEN TALENTS and try to stop a plot to shut the school of last resort down.

Though the climax seems out of character for the magnificent five, the Harry Potter crowd will enjoy their misadventures. The quintet is at their diabolical best when they interrelate with one another. Although much of the key secondary cast seems stereotypical, readers will enjoy sharing a pizza with Martin's beleaguered parents as they and the young audience will wonder what will he do or say next.

Harriet Klausner