“A pleasant read…Cashman knows how to craft natural dialogue and empathetic characters.” Publishers Weekly
Description
In a famous family of exceptionally talented people, fifteen-year-old Claire Walker is ordinary—or so she leads everyone to believe. Yet the minute she steps out of line, her parents transfer her to Cambial Academy: the prestigious boarding school that her great-grandfather founded for students with supernatural abilities, or "specials."
Although Claire can't see ghosts or move objects with her mind like the other students, she does have a special she considers too lame to admit. Just as she is settling in, one by one the most talented students—the Exceptionals—go missing. In an attempt to find out what happened to them, Claire uncovers a dark prophecy foretelling a mysterious girl who will use her ability to save Cambial students from a dire fate.
Could she be that girl? Does the gorgeous but secretive boy she meets in the woods know more than he's letting on? After years of ignoring her special, Claire decides the time has come to embrace her ability—before it's too late.
Praise
“A pleasant read…Cashman knows how to craft natural dialogue and empathetic characters.” Publishers Weekly
“The writing is lively and the animal interactions intriguing.” Booklist
“The Exceptionals will appeal to a wide range of readers, all of whom will be eager to see if there will be forthcoming adventures at Cambial Academy.” School Library Journal
"I liked Claire. She’s brave and she also sounds like a teenage girl—concerned about boys and her friends. She has a conflicted relationship with her mom, and that rang very true as well. I also liked the characters around her. They all have distinct voices and personalities and contributed well to the overall conflict…The story kept my interest and is a solid debut. I’m looking forward to the sequel." YA Books Central
Details
| Language | English |
|---|---|
| Release Day | Feb 29, 2012 |
| Release Date | March 1, 2012 |
| Release Date Machine | 1330560000 |
| Imprint | Blackstone Publishing |
| Provider | Blackstone Publishing |
| Categories | Children's Books, Growing Up & Facts of Life, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Education & Learning, Children/YA, Children 8-12, Fiction - All, Fiction - Child |
Author Bio
Erin Cashman graduated from Bates College with a degree in English and from Boston College Law School. She lives in Massachusetts.
Narrator Bio
Madeleine Lambert received her MFA in acting from Brown University and Trinity Rep. Her performances at Trinity Repertory Company include Shelby in Steel Magnolias and Belle in A Christmas Carol. Madeleine graduated with honors from Duke University with majors in theater studies and English and a minor in French. She attended the School at Steppenwolf in Chicago.
Overview
In a famous family of exceptionally talented people, fifteen-year-old Claire Walker is ordinary—or so she leads everyone to believe. Yet the minute she steps out of line, her parents transfer her to Cambial Academy: the prestigious boarding school that her great-grandfather founded for students with supernatural abilities, or "specials."
Although Claire can't see ghosts or move objects with her mind like the other students, she does have a special she considers too lame to admit. Just as she is settling in, one by one the most talented students—the Exceptionals—go missing. In an attempt to find out what happened to them, Claire uncovers a dark prophecy foretelling a mysterious girl who will use her ability to save Cambial students from a dire fate.
Could she be that girl? Does the gorgeous but secretive boy she meets in the woods know more than he's letting on? After years of ignoring her special, Claire decides the time has come to embrace her ability—before it's too late.
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