The third in a series (see Mind Call and Mind Hold)focusing on pre-teens and teens that discover they have extrasensory powers. The stories are set after a devastating earthquake in central & western USA -- an event that seems to serve as a catalyst for the development of their powers. In this story, Laurel spends the summer w/ her father who is a researcher into psychic powers. She hides her developing powers from her inattentive father, afraid he will use her as a lab rat & scared her mother will think she's crazy. Meanwhile, she finds a "home" with a loving widow and her children -- all of whom are gifted with strong psi abilities. The link is eventually made back to a school for these special children, called the House of Logran, which was developed at the end of the first book Mind Call. This is a very good book about trying to discover who you are at a difficult age. If you find it, read it.

Minna is a regular white witch except she doesn't like to help people (which is part of the job) So when Sven, a non (person who is immuned to magic) comes asking for help she isn't very excited. Sven's brother Ranor (a important, obnoxious, trouble making magician) is kidnapped and held for ransom by a black sorcerer (the most powerful kind) The deal is that Sven (to set Ranor free) has to fight the Black Sorcerer with the help of a White Witch. So once a White Witch lets a person come in to their house they have to help them with their problems. Minna is stuck. Sven and Minna set out on a journey (With Minna's Familar, a half demon half goblin) where it seems nothing but trouble ever seems to happen. This is a complicated but funny story of a place where half the land is scientifical and the other half magicial. This is a story worth your time if you like adventure and magic.

Though it's been 5 years since I last read this book, it made a major impact on me. I was in fourth grade when I read (and reread!) Frankie, and it was my favorite book that year. The black and white illustrations are beautiful, and the story was delightful. The characters were interesting, as was the world, and I rooted for the main character with every challange she faced. At the same time, it was not frightening, nor violent (to my recolection). I would highly recommend this book for any child who seems interested in fantasy.

Mrs.Belden was my 4th grade teacher at Bird Rock. I remember her reading us many great stories. I can recall being read one of her own books. I am not sure if it is this book or her first, but it was a great book. Her incorporation of literature in the class was very influential. Now that I am a third grade teacher, I am really looking forward to reading her story in my own class. Mrs.Belden where are you?

This book is part of a trilogy that is no longer in print -- Mind Call and Mind-Find are the others. Set in the West after a massive earthquake devastates Western & Central USA, the series follows the trials of children who develop various extrasensory powers. In this one Carson & his younger sister are essentially held prisoner in a commune type community when they stumble upon it while searching for a home. Not the best of the three but a good read.