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Mind Power #1
A Step Into the Unknown: A Teenager's Journey of Self-discovery.
What made Dylan's life so difficult to cope with? Like so many other insecure, sensitive fourteen-year-olds, Dylan confronts the usual series of problems, but his seem more stressful than most. Firstly, he needs to adapt to a new, large city school in Perth after moving from a small rural community down south; then he suffers being victimised by a remorseless school bully, not to mention by his inconsiderate siblings, who allow him little personal space; and, finally, he faces a tyrannical teacher who makes his schooling seem like hell. So, when a weird alien visitor - Orf - enters his life, he scarcely believes that everything begins to change for the better.
Orf teaches him how to tap into his latent powers and listen to his intuitive voice. Despite some embarrassing failures, Dylan not only learns to manage his own troubles but ends up assisting some of his classmates with their challenging dilemmas. But where does all this learning lead him? Why did this teacher appear? Could this mentor have his own, secret agenda?
Orf teaches him how to tap into his latent powers and listen to his intuitive voice. Despite some embarrassing failures, Dylan not only learns to manage his own troubles but ends up assisting some of his classmates with their challenging dilemmas. But where does all this learning lead him? Why did this teacher appear? Could this mentor have his own, secret agenda?
218 pages, Hardcover
Published June 10, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
December 26, 2025
This book tells Dylan’s story in a very simple and honest way.
His problems with school, bullying, and family feel real.
I liked how Orf helps him find his inner strength.
A thoughtful and encouraging story for teenagers.
His problems with school, bullying, and family feel real.
I liked how Orf helps him find his inner strength.
A thoughtful and encouraging story for teenagers.
December 26, 2025
Dylan feels like a real fourteen-year-old dealing with real issues.
Moving to a new city school and facing bullying was well written.
The alien mentor adds an interesting twist to the story.
Easy to read and meaningful.
Moving to a new city school and facing bullying was well written.
The alien mentor adds an interesting twist to the story.
Easy to read and meaningful.
December 26, 2025
The story shows how hard school life can be for sensitive teens.
I liked how Dylan slowly learns to trust himself.
Orf makes the journey more interesting and different.
A positive and inspiring read.
I liked how Dylan slowly learns to trust himself.
Orf makes the journey more interesting and different.
A positive and inspiring read.
January 16, 2026
Dylan’s character is written with great sensitivity.
His struggles at school and at home felt very genuine.
The alien mentor adds mystery without feeling unrealistic.
The theme of inner strength is powerful.
A heartfelt and memorable book.
His struggles at school and at home felt very genuine.
The alien mentor adds mystery without feeling unrealistic.
The theme of inner strength is powerful.
A heartfelt and memorable book.
January 16, 2026
I appreciated how the story addresses bullying and self-doubt.
Dylan’s emotions are described in a very real way.
Orf’s guidance helps him grow without easy answers.
The message of trusting yourself is beautifully delivered.
Highly recommended.
Dylan’s emotions are described in a very real way.
Orf’s guidance helps him grow without easy answers.
The message of trusting yourself is beautifully delivered.
Highly recommended.
January 16, 2026
This book feels both emotional and imaginative.
Dylan’s journey from fear to confidence is inspiring.
The alien element makes the story unique and engaging.
It teaches valuable life lessons in a gentle way.
A fantastic coming-of-age story.
Dylan’s journey from fear to confidence is inspiring.
The alien element makes the story unique and engaging.
It teaches valuable life lessons in a gentle way.
A fantastic coming-of-age story.
January 16, 2026
The struggles Dylan faces are ones many teens understand.
The writing captures his loneliness and confusion perfectly.
Orf’s arrival brings hope and purpose to the story.
It’s about growth, courage, and self-belief.
A truly meaningful novel.
The writing captures his loneliness and confusion perfectly.
Orf’s arrival brings hope and purpose to the story.
It’s about growth, courage, and self-belief.
A truly meaningful novel.
January 16, 2026
I loved the balance between reality and fantasy.
Dylan’s life at school felt difficult but authentic.
Orf helps him discover his hidden strengths naturally.
The emotional depth of the story is impressive.
A beautiful and thoughtful book.
Dylan’s life at school felt difficult but authentic.
Orf helps him discover his hidden strengths naturally.
The emotional depth of the story is impressive.
A beautiful and thoughtful book.
January 16, 2026
This book speaks to anyone who has ever felt lost.
Dylan’s experiences with bullying and isolation are very real.
The guidance from Orf is gentle and inspiring.
It’s a story about finding your voice.
Deeply moving and well written.
Dylan’s experiences with bullying and isolation are very real.
The guidance from Orf is gentle and inspiring.
It’s a story about finding your voice.
Deeply moving and well written.
January 16, 2026
The character development in this book is excellent.
Dylan grows in a believable and emotional way.
The alien mentor adds mystery without overpowering the story.
The themes of self-trust and courage are strong.
A wonderful read.
Dylan grows in a believable and emotional way.
The alien mentor adds mystery without overpowering the story.
The themes of self-trust and courage are strong.
A wonderful read.
January 16, 2026
I was drawn in by Dylan’s struggles from the first chapter.
The story reflects real teenage emotions and challenges.
Orf’s role adds wisdom and hope.
It’s both imaginative and deeply human.
A very special book.
The story reflects real teenage emotions and challenges.
Orf’s role adds wisdom and hope.
It’s both imaginative and deeply human.
A very special book.
January 16, 2026
This book captures the pain of being misunderstood.
Dylan’s life at school and home feels authentic.
Orf’s presence brings guidance, not easy solutions.
The message about inner strength is powerful.
I truly loved this story.
Dylan’s life at school and home feels authentic.
Orf’s presence brings guidance, not easy solutions.
The message about inner strength is powerful.
I truly loved this story.
January 16, 2026
A touching story of growth, fear, and self-belief.
Dylan’s challenges felt personal and realistic.
The alien mentor adds depth and meaning to the journey.
It’s both imaginative and emotionally rich.
A perfect 5-star book.
Dylan’s challenges felt personal and realistic.
The alien mentor adds depth and meaning to the journey.
It’s both imaginative and emotionally rich.
A perfect 5-star book.
December 25, 2025
I really enjoyed reading this book. Dylan’s problems felt real, and his journey was easy to connect with.
December 25, 2025
This is a good story about school life, bullying, and growing up. Many teenagers will relate to Dylan.
December 25, 2025
The bullying parts were written in a very realistic way. I liked how Dylan slowly becomes more confident.
December 25, 2025
The story is simple but has a strong and positive message about self-belief.
December 25, 2025
This book felt very real to me. Dylan’s school life and struggles were easy to understand and relate to.
January 16, 2026
This story truly captures what it feels like to be a struggling teenager.
Dylan’s move to a new city school and the bullying felt very real.
Orf’s arrival adds a beautiful layer of mystery and hope.
I loved how self-discovery is mixed with gentle fantasy.
A touching and meaningful read.
Dylan’s move to a new city school and the bullying felt very real.
Orf’s arrival adds a beautiful layer of mystery and hope.
I loved how self-discovery is mixed with gentle fantasy.
A touching and meaningful read.
January 16, 2026
Dylan’s problems with school, family, and bullying felt very relatable.
The alien mentor, Orf, brings a unique and creative twist.
The journey of learning to trust his inner voice is inspiring.
It’s not just a fantasy—it’s about growing as a person.
I really enjoyed this book.
The alien mentor, Orf, brings a unique and creative twist.
The journey of learning to trust his inner voice is inspiring.
It’s not just a fantasy—it’s about growing as a person.
I really enjoyed this book.
January 16, 2026
This book shows teenage struggles in a very honest way.
Moving to a big city, facing a harsh teacher, and being bullied felt real.
Orf’s guidance makes the story hopeful and uplifting.
Dylan’s personal growth is beautifully written.
A wonderful coming-of-age story.
Moving to a big city, facing a harsh teacher, and being bullied felt real.
Orf’s guidance makes the story hopeful and uplifting.
Dylan’s personal growth is beautifully written.
A wonderful coming-of-age story.
January 16, 2026
I loved how the author blended everyday problems with science fiction.
Dylan’s school life, family pressure, and loneliness were very realistic.
Orf’s lessons about inner power felt meaningful.
The story is both emotional and imaginative.
Highly recommended.
Dylan’s school life, family pressure, and loneliness were very realistic.
Orf’s lessons about inner power felt meaningful.
The story is both emotional and imaginative.
Highly recommended.
January 16, 2026
This book made me care deeply about Dylan’s journey.
His struggles at school and at home are so relatable.
The mysterious mentor adds depth without overpowering the story.
It’s about courage, growth, and self-belief.
A powerful and thoughtful read.
His struggles at school and at home are so relatable.
The mysterious mentor adds depth without overpowering the story.
It’s about courage, growth, and self-belief.
A powerful and thoughtful read.
January 16, 2026
Dylan feels like a real teenager facing real problems.
The bullying and strict teacher were written very convincingly.
Orf’s role as a guide is gentle and inspiring.
The message about listening to your inner voice is strong.
A truly meaningful story.
The bullying and strict teacher were written very convincingly.
Orf’s role as a guide is gentle and inspiring.
The message about listening to your inner voice is strong.
A truly meaningful story.
January 16, 2026
I enjoyed how emotional and imaginative this book is.
The challenges Dylan faces are realistic and heartfelt.
The alien element adds wonder without losing the human side.
It’s about finding strength in unexpected places.
A beautiful story of self-discovery.
The challenges Dylan faces are realistic and heartfelt.
The alien element adds wonder without losing the human side.
It’s about finding strength in unexpected places.
A beautiful story of self-discovery.
January 16, 2026
This story handles teenage life with honesty and care.
School pressure, bullying, and family struggles are portrayed well.
Orf’s teachings give the book a deeper message.
Dylan’s growth feels natural and inspiring.
A very engaging read.
School pressure, bullying, and family struggles are portrayed well.
Orf’s teachings give the book a deeper message.
Dylan’s growth feels natural and inspiring.
A very engaging read.
January 16, 2026
The mix of reality and fantasy is done perfectly.
Dylan’s difficult school life feels authentic.
Orf doesn’t solve everything, but helps Dylan grow.
The emotional journey is powerful and believable.
I loved every chapter.
Dylan’s difficult school life feels authentic.
Orf doesn’t solve everything, but helps Dylan grow.
The emotional journey is powerful and believable.
I loved every chapter.
January 16, 2026
This book is more than just a fantasy story.
It explores loneliness, fear, and personal growth beautifully.
Dylan’s challenges made me feel connected to his journey.
Orf’s presence brings wisdom and hope.
A truly inspiring read.
It explores loneliness, fear, and personal growth beautifully.
Dylan’s challenges made me feel connected to his journey.
Orf’s presence brings wisdom and hope.
A truly inspiring read.
September 18, 2024
Matilda meets metaphysical sci-fi: A book for struggling teenagers.
The book follows the story of Dylan, a teenager recently moving to Perth and struggling to fit into his new school. He faces numerous problems including a bully, a tyrannical teacher and a domineering older brother. Dylan then meets Orf, an alien who teaches him silence, serenity and strength among other things to help himself and those around him.
Dylan begins the story lonely and scared of his unfamiliar surroundings, without any method of improving his situation. Orf teaches him a variety of techniques to enable him to help himself and those around him, including those who terrorise him. These include visualising sending light to those around him as a way to practice understanding and forgiveness and imagining walking down a coloured staircase among many other things. Later in the book, Dylan learns about telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation and healing - these abilities he develops definitely make the book lean more towards science-fiction as the lesson behind these abilities is unclear to me as a reader, unlike the earlier abilities which are useful in real-life.
An aspect of the book I found unusual was the dialogue of many characters, particularly younger characters such as Dylan, Lauren and Ethan. These characters do not necessarily speak in manner which is discordant with the way most Australian teenagers speak. Dylan for example states to Lauren, "...I thought we'd moved on the from dark ages we learned about in HASS, but it seems not. I feel so sorry that you have received such heartless dealings." It seems to be a recurring pattern that many of the younger characters speak in long blocks using language which is rarely used by modern teenagers.
Interestingly, as I read this book I was reminded of Roald Dahl's Matilda. Both books introduce us to young protagonists unable to reconcile with their surroundings, but later develop abilities which help them to improve their situation. However where these books are different is that Matilda removes herself from the situation by moving away from the Wormwoods and Miss Trunchbull leaves, whereas Dylan builds a relationship with Ethan, reconciles with his brother and (discreetly) helps the teacher who terrorises him when he first moves to Perth. As such, I found that Mendel's novel teaches a more important lesson to young readers than Matilda.
While Mendel's book leans into the impossible, the wisdom presented in Dylan's story teach readers real-life lessons including patience, empathy and understanding. Even the more esoteric lessons Dylan learns, such as 'sending light' to those hurting you (as a visualisation of forgiveness or understanding), I found to be useful in real-life.
The book follows the story of Dylan, a teenager recently moving to Perth and struggling to fit into his new school. He faces numerous problems including a bully, a tyrannical teacher and a domineering older brother. Dylan then meets Orf, an alien who teaches him silence, serenity and strength among other things to help himself and those around him.
Dylan begins the story lonely and scared of his unfamiliar surroundings, without any method of improving his situation. Orf teaches him a variety of techniques to enable him to help himself and those around him, including those who terrorise him. These include visualising sending light to those around him as a way to practice understanding and forgiveness and imagining walking down a coloured staircase among many other things. Later in the book, Dylan learns about telekinesis, telepathy, teleportation and healing - these abilities he develops definitely make the book lean more towards science-fiction as the lesson behind these abilities is unclear to me as a reader, unlike the earlier abilities which are useful in real-life.
An aspect of the book I found unusual was the dialogue of many characters, particularly younger characters such as Dylan, Lauren and Ethan. These characters do not necessarily speak in manner which is discordant with the way most Australian teenagers speak. Dylan for example states to Lauren, "...I thought we'd moved on the from dark ages we learned about in HASS, but it seems not. I feel so sorry that you have received such heartless dealings." It seems to be a recurring pattern that many of the younger characters speak in long blocks using language which is rarely used by modern teenagers.
Interestingly, as I read this book I was reminded of Roald Dahl's Matilda. Both books introduce us to young protagonists unable to reconcile with their surroundings, but later develop abilities which help them to improve their situation. However where these books are different is that Matilda removes herself from the situation by moving away from the Wormwoods and Miss Trunchbull leaves, whereas Dylan builds a relationship with Ethan, reconciles with his brother and (discreetly) helps the teacher who terrorises him when he first moves to Perth. As such, I found that Mendel's novel teaches a more important lesson to young readers than Matilda.
While Mendel's book leans into the impossible, the wisdom presented in Dylan's story teach readers real-life lessons including patience, empathy and understanding. Even the more esoteric lessons Dylan learns, such as 'sending light' to those hurting you (as a visualisation of forgiveness or understanding), I found to be useful in real-life.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews