Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Considering this is a middle grade novel (Grades 5-9), I actually really liked this book. In fact, I think even older elementary kids would enjoy it. I have read the first 2 and liked them both. They are very quick, very easy reads but do keep me entertained. You certainly need to read the first two books to really get this one but it is written in a way that you could get by without it. The plot of this one was interesting- the gifted students are being taken, one by one, and no one knows why. Kaye plays several different theories into the story- many of them plausible and made me think and consider them before finally revealing which on was correct. One thing I do like about this series is that each book so far focuses for the most part on one of the nine students but all the students are involved- you learn about each one despite the shifting focus. The writing is very simple and straightforward- there are few big vocab words but it still flows nicely. The characters are interesting and are actually developed pretty deeply within each of their own stories/focus. Most of the powers are common- seeing the future, reading minds- but not all are easily and quickly manifested. One character can have super strength, but only when he is bullied and on the verge of a breakdown- otherwise, he is scrawny and weak. One girl who felt basically invisible to the world became invisible but some of them are more original, such as being sucked into someone's body but still fully aware of who YOU are all because you felt really sorry for the person. Overall, I do like this series. It is quick and fun with a pretty interesting plot. Yes, it's easy and straightforward- but its geared toward middle school more than high school/young adult and with that in mind, I give this book 4 stars for a great take on a somewhat common idea, well developed characters, and a smooth plot. I also like the covers- each person who the book focuses on appears on the cover, and they are shiny. I know how that sounds, but admit it- we all like shiny things.

Life is difficult for thirteen-year-old Emily. Not only are her visions consistently fuzzy, but her mother doesn't believe that she even has them. Add this to the fact that her latest visions show people in her Gifted class at school going missing, and you've got a heap of trouble. So when these visions start to actually come true, she's not sure what to do. Suddenly, the opportunity to save her friends presents itself. Will she rise to the challenge and free them, or get so caught up in the mess that she ends up bringing everyone down with her? HERE TODAY, GONE TOMORROW was a great look into a supernatural world where not everything is perfect and nothing happens the same way twice. I liked how Emily's powers weren't always helpful, as it seemed to make her more of an everyday person. Her visions sometimes didn't happen the way she sees them, or even at all, which adds mystery to the story - will her vision come true or not? I will be interested to read the rest of the GIFTED series and learn about all of the other characters! Reviewed by: YoungBibliophile