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Fireworks
Dreams aren't real. Psychic teen Zoey Christopher knows the difference between dreams and visions better than anyone, but ever since she and her best friend returned from spring vacation, Zoey's dreams have been warning her that Becca is in danger. But a dream isn't a vision-right? Besides, Zoey has other things to worry about, like the new, cute boy in school. Dan obviously has something to hide, and he won't leave Zoey alone-even when it causes major problems with Josh, Zoey's boyfriend. Is it possible he knows her secret? Then, one night, Becca doesn't answer any of Zoey's texts or calls. She doesn't answer the next morning either. When Zoey's worst fears come true, her only choice is to turn to Dan, whom she discovers has a gift different from her own but just as powerful. Is it fate? Will using their gifts together help them save Becca, or will the darkness win? Discover what's real and what's just a dream in Fireworks, book two of the Soul Sight Mysteries!
176 pages, Paperback
Published August 30, 2017
430 people want to read
About the author
Janet McLaughlin
7 books44 followersI have been involved in the communication field most of my adult life as either a writer, teacher, or editor. I am a member of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and the Florida Writers Association and am an avid fan of cheerleading competitions, especially those involving my grandchildren. I live in Florida with my husband Tom. My other passions involve tennis, traveling, walking, and meeting people.
"Different"
Twelve-year-old Izzy wants to be like everyone else, but she has a secret. She isn’t weird or angry, like some of the kids at school think. Izzy has Tourette syndrome. Hiding outbursts and tics from her classmates is hard enough, but when a new girl arrives, Izzy’s fear of losing her best friend makes Izzy’s symptoms worse. And when she sees her crush act suspiciously, runaway thoughts take root inside of her. As the pressure builds and her world threatens to spin out of control, Izzy must face her fear and reveal her secret, whatever the costs.
Authentic and perceptive, Different shines a light on the delicate line of a child’s hopes and fears and inspires us all to believe that perhaps we are not so different after all.
"Different"
Twelve-year-old Izzy wants to be like everyone else, but she has a secret. She isn’t weird or angry, like some of the kids at school think. Izzy has Tourette syndrome. Hiding outbursts and tics from her classmates is hard enough, but when a new girl arrives, Izzy’s fear of losing her best friend makes Izzy’s symptoms worse. And when she sees her crush act suspiciously, runaway thoughts take root inside of her. As the pressure builds and her world threatens to spin out of control, Izzy must face her fear and reveal her secret, whatever the costs.
Authentic and perceptive, Different shines a light on the delicate line of a child’s hopes and fears and inspires us all to believe that perhaps we are not so different after all.
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Displaying 1 of 1 review
September 6, 2017
Dreams aren’t visions. That’s what Zoey Christopher thinks until her dreams tell her that her best friend Becca might be in great danger. At first, Zoey, the main character in the book Fireworks by Janet McLaughlin, doesn’t pay much attention to these warnings. She has other things to worry about: her mom is on a new health food kick, her teachers are always giving pop quizzes, and the flu is going around the school. On top of it all there is Dan, a cute, new boy at school who keeps bugging Zoey. She loves her boyfriend Josh, but she gets a weird tingly feeling whenever she is around Dan.
One night when Becca doesn’t respond to any of Zoey’s texts, Zoey realizes that her dreams really were visions, and she knows something bad has happened to Becca. With Josh away, Zoey has no one to rely on but Dan; and she feels guilty asking for his help. When she learns about Dan's gift, Zoey thinks maybe she did make the right decision. Will things be okay with Josh? Will Dan and Zoey be able to put their gifts together and save Becca before it's too late?
Opinion:
Fireworks is a gripping young adult mystery by Janet McLaughlin. The author uses vivid details to create suspense. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down! I feel that there are just the right number of characters, and although they are fictional, Zoey, Becca, Josh, and Dan all seem like typical, friendly teens.
One important message that recurs multiple times in this book is don’t worry about what others think of you. Fireworks also stresses the value of friendship and not giving up. I also like how the book deals with the romantic tension between Zoey, Josh, and Dan.
I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers in grades 7-10.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 12
Another review by a LitPick student book reviewer
Zoey Christopher has an amazing ability: she’s psychic. Her psychic ability is both a blessing and a curse. When she gets a vision of her friend, Becca, in danger, Zoey can’t help but be worried for her friend’s safety. Zoey also can’t help but be distracted by the new cute boy at school. Dan is charming, but he’s also mysterious. Zoey can tell right away that he’s hiding something, and she will stop at nothing to find out. Join Zoey in this second installment of the Soul Sight Mysteries.
Opinion:
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book when I began reading it. It was intriguing, however, it also felt a bit boring and drawn out. I felt that the exciting part of the story only lasted a few chapters, while the rest of the book was only filled with teenage drama.
I really did not like the main character, Zoey, and how she treated her boyfriend, Josh. I felt that she was much too selfish and uncaring toward him. However, I did like her bravery and how she dealt with harsh situations. I feel that if the situation with her boyfriend had been handled more delicately, I would have liked her more as a character.
Though there were few, I did like the action sequences/exciting parts of the book. They were well-written, and I enjoyed them greatly. I just wish that there were more of them. Perhaps if the book were a bit longer the author could have spent more time on character building and exciting scenes.
Overall, this book has immense potential; it just needs a bit of work.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 18
One night when Becca doesn’t respond to any of Zoey’s texts, Zoey realizes that her dreams really were visions, and she knows something bad has happened to Becca. With Josh away, Zoey has no one to rely on but Dan; and she feels guilty asking for his help. When she learns about Dan's gift, Zoey thinks maybe she did make the right decision. Will things be okay with Josh? Will Dan and Zoey be able to put their gifts together and save Becca before it's too late?
Opinion:
Fireworks is a gripping young adult mystery by Janet McLaughlin. The author uses vivid details to create suspense. Once I started reading, I couldn’t put the book down! I feel that there are just the right number of characters, and although they are fictional, Zoey, Becca, Josh, and Dan all seem like typical, friendly teens.
One important message that recurs multiple times in this book is don’t worry about what others think of you. Fireworks also stresses the value of friendship and not giving up. I also like how the book deals with the romantic tension between Zoey, Josh, and Dan.
I highly recommend this book for mystery lovers in grades 7-10.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 12
Another review by a LitPick student book reviewer
Zoey Christopher has an amazing ability: she’s psychic. Her psychic ability is both a blessing and a curse. When she gets a vision of her friend, Becca, in danger, Zoey can’t help but be worried for her friend’s safety. Zoey also can’t help but be distracted by the new cute boy at school. Dan is charming, but he’s also mysterious. Zoey can tell right away that he’s hiding something, and she will stop at nothing to find out. Join Zoey in this second installment of the Soul Sight Mysteries.
Opinion:
I wasn’t sure what to think of this book when I began reading it. It was intriguing, however, it also felt a bit boring and drawn out. I felt that the exciting part of the story only lasted a few chapters, while the rest of the book was only filled with teenage drama.
I really did not like the main character, Zoey, and how she treated her boyfriend, Josh. I felt that she was much too selfish and uncaring toward him. However, I did like her bravery and how she dealt with harsh situations. I feel that if the situation with her boyfriend had been handled more delicately, I would have liked her more as a character.
Though there were few, I did like the action sequences/exciting parts of the book. They were well-written, and I enjoyed them greatly. I just wish that there were more of them. Perhaps if the book were a bit longer the author could have spent more time on character building and exciting scenes.
Overall, this book has immense potential; it just needs a bit of work.
Reviewed by a LitPick student book reviewer Age: 18
Displaying 1 of 1 review