Gift

by Andrea J. Buchanan

Overview

Daisy has an electrifying secret that could save her life—or kill her

High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn’t help that she’s the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn’t even own a cell phone. But there’s a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power—one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about. 
 
Despite her “gift” (or is it a curse?), Daisy’s doing a good job of fitting in, and a gorgeous senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she’s always tried to hide, before it’s too late?
 
Extra features include:
•   A short graphic novel telling Vivi’s story
•   Danielle’s journal, revealing her deepest thoughts 
•   Lyrics and video links for Kevin's music (songs composed by Fredrik Larsson, otherwise known as YouTube sensation FreddeGredde)

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781453220238
Publisher:	Open Road Integrated Media, Inc.
Publication date:	07/10/2012
Pages:	326
Product dimensions:	5.50(w) x 8.40(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Andrea J. Buchanan is a writer whose work includes the New York Times bestselling title The Daring Book for Girls and seven other books. Before becoming an author, Andi was a classical pianist. She lives in Philadelphia with her family.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

“A fantastical and historical ghost story that benefits from . . . the presence of young love.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This smart paranormal novel is more than aware of its predecessors, and subverts them brilliantly. Gift is smart, striking, and I hope the first of many YA novels from Andrea Buchanan.” —Saundra Mitchell, author of The Vespertine and The Springsweet “A good story that doesn’t rely on tricks and gimmicks.” —VH1’s blog, The FABlife “CREEPY. I think that's the word we're looking for here. WEIRD, dark, disturbing, with a Gothic feel.” —Tanita Davis, author of Mare’s War

Editorial Reviews

"A fantastical and historical ghost story that benefits from . . . the presence of young love.” —Kirkus Reviews

“This smart paranormal novel is more than aware of its predecessors, and subverts them brilliantly. Gift is smart, striking, and I hope the first of many YA novels from Andrea Buchanan.” —Saundra Mitchell, author of The Vespertine and The Springsweet
 
“A good story that doesn’t rely on tricks and gimmicks.” —VH1’s blog, The FABlife
 
“CREEPY. I think that's the word we're looking for here. WEIRD, dark, disturbing, with a Gothic feel.” —Tanita Davis, author of Mare’s War

From the Publisher

Gr 5–8—Supercharged with an electrical power so strong she can short out any electronic device in her vicinity, Daisy must maintain constant control over her "gift." Sent one day by her teacher to check on a classmate's failure to return from the bathroom, she discovers Vivi nearly passed out from an apparent suicide attempt, babbling about it being the only way to be with Patrick again. So begins a ghost story and a rocky alliance between Vivi, Daisy, and her friend Danielle. Through a series of shared dreams/nightmares, Daisy and Danielle discover that they and Vivi share a tragic past. Coinciding with the appearance of the dreams, Patrick, the spirit who Vivi believes has been her protector since she was little, begins to appear and communicate with Daisy and Danielle. From the dreams, ghostly visits, and a little historical research, they discover that Patrick was a serial killer from the girls' past lives. He is drawn by Daisy's gift and his previous relationship to her and plans to use her power to increase his own to possess one of the girls. Despite its promise as a super-girl vs. evil ghost thriller, the plot drags with unproductive dialogue and unnecessary additions. One clever twist at the end does little to make up for the predictable, fiery climax. Strictly an additional purchase.—Cary Frostick, Mary Riley Styles Public Library, Falls Church, VA

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