Float (Float #1)

In this lighthearted middle grade romp, kids with super powers enjoy a fun-filled summer at a camp designed to accommodate their special needs. Twelve-year-old Emerson's ability to float marks him as a RISK--a reoccurring incident of the strange kind--forced to wear weighted shoes and a vest just to stay on the ground. At Camp Outlier, he's surrounded by people just like him, cursed with powers they can't control, such as the accidentally invisible Hank, the spontaneously combusting Anthony, and the time-traveling Murphy. As members of the Red Maple cabin, they bond through hazing rituals, pranks, and the usual camp-sponsored activities. However, when they discover an unsettling secret involving Murphy's intermittent trips through time, Emerson and the others must find a way to change his fate. While there's an underlying tension involving the unknown tragedy in Murphy's future, the real heart of the story is in the idyllic satisfaction Emerson feels as he makes friends and lives life to the fullest, eschewing electronic devices for adventures in the great outdoors. Drawing from her father's stories of childhood escapades, Martin (Code Name Flood) conjures a sense of wonder and whimsy, even as she reminds readers that her characters' powers are as much a blessing as they are a curse. Ages 8-12. (May)

Gr 4-6--Emerson floats. Unfortunately, he has almost no control over his floating, which makes it a Reoccurring Incidents of the Strange Kind (RISK) factor. He and other kids like him are sent to Camp Outlier where the government can keep a close eye on them. It's a motley crew in Emerson's cabin: Gary is sticky, Hank can't control his invisibility, Zeke has sporadic X-ray vision, and Anthony is a human torch. For once in his life, Emerson feels like he finally fits in. With lots of action, great dialogue, and plenty of humor, Martin's style and tone are reminiscent of Gordon Korman and Dan Gutman. VERDICT With a great premise and solid writing, this should be a popular addition to the middle grade collections.--Jane Hebert, Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL