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Gifted #4
Finders Keepers
Cute athletic Ken hears ghosts after a soccer collision takes out his best friend. When an anonymous note invites him to a seance, he want to confide in the convincing medium and find a $2M lottery ticket before the winning family gets evicted. Only his gifted classmates can save the day.
215 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
32 people are currently reading
1447 people want to read
About the author
Marilyn Kaye
156 books430 followersI was born in New Britain, Connecticut, and grew up in Atlanta, Georgia. I also spent a year (5th grade) in Montgomery, Alabama, and a year in Ann Arbor, Michigan(8th grade). As a child, I always wanted to be a writer, but I had lots of other ambitions too. I wanted to be a teacher, a librarian, a movie star, the president of the United States, and a ballerina.
I didn't achieve all my goals. I never became a movie star, the president of the U.S., or a ballerina. But I've been a teacher and a librarian and most of all, a writer. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always kept a diary. I wrote poems, stories, plays, songs and lots of letters. Writing wasn't easy for me, but it felt natural and right.
I've always read a lot, too. I was an English major at Emory University (I love Shakespeare), and I also received a master's degree in library science at Emory. I earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago, and I taught children's and teen literature at St. John's University in New York for over 20 years. Now, I'm a full-time writer, living in Paris, France - the most beautiful city in the world.
I didn't achieve all my goals. I never became a movie star, the president of the U.S., or a ballerina. But I've been a teacher and a librarian and most of all, a writer. I've been writing for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always kept a diary. I wrote poems, stories, plays, songs and lots of letters. Writing wasn't easy for me, but it felt natural and right.
I've always read a lot, too. I was an English major at Emory University (I love Shakespeare), and I also received a master's degree in library science at Emory. I earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the University of Chicago, and I taught children's and teen literature at St. John's University in New York for over 20 years. Now, I'm a full-time writer, living in Paris, France - the most beautiful city in the world.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
November 15, 2016
This was a YA paranormal story about a boy who could talk to ghosts.
Ken was an okay character, although I did think he should be a little more careful about telling people what he could do, especially when he didn’t know the person well.
The storyline in this was about Ken attending a séance and meeting a boy whose father had died in a car accident. The boy’s father had purchased a winning lottery ticket before he died, and the boy and his family were unable to find it, so Ken wanted to help them.
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was glad that Ken stood up for himself, and Amanda found a way to be helpful too.
6 out of 10
Ken was an okay character, although I did think he should be a little more careful about telling people what he could do, especially when he didn’t know the person well.
The storyline in this was about Ken attending a séance and meeting a boy whose father had died in a car accident. The boy’s father had purchased a winning lottery ticket before he died, and the boy and his family were unable to find it, so Ken wanted to help them.
The ending to this was pretty good, and I was glad that Ken stood up for himself, and Amanda found a way to be helpful too.
6 out of 10
November 17, 2025
This book didn't live up to the others in the series. It seemed boring and annoying.
May 31, 2017
Don't let the 2-star rating fool you.
It was a good book, considering it is not really my type of books.
The reason I actually read it is because my friend told me -made me- do so.
It's not 2-star material becuase I did not dislike the book, yet I can't bring myself to give it anymore.
It was a good book, considering it is not really my type of books.
The reason I actually read it is because my friend told me -made me- do so.
It's not 2-star material becuase I did not dislike the book, yet I can't bring myself to give it anymore.
May 3, 2012
"Finders Keepers" (Gifted 4) may be (unsure) the $2M lottery ticket bought and hidden by Stevie's late dad that the poor little 11-year old asks medium Cassandra to help find before the rent is due at the end of the month. Ghost-listener Ken responds to an anonymous hand-scribbled invite stuffed personally into just his locker (not suspicious, no) to the same séance and finds the evening credible. But accompanying classmate Amanda feels sorry for dowdy Margaret mourning her mother, and slips her mind into the older 25 year p98 body. Even when on purpose, she never thinks ahead how to get out. http://www.giftedseries.com
Marylin Kaye makes these 13ers seem unbelievably stupid; at any age I knew not to go to a strange place, especially without asking permission, informing, leaving written record, AND taking adult(s). After two years of villainous kidnaps, threats and manipulation, how can Ken not know bad guys are after all of them, $2M worth. Why do the kids ask for trouble, not warn each other, even knowing the whole evil plan? Middle School is Grades 7-9 p21; my baby sisters knew better before they could talk; this generation has cell phones and no excuse.
This writer does not seem to live in the real world. Child (11<12) Stevie cannot take out Ken's adult (13) books, especially without an adult card. The parent signs and is responsible for the child's withdrawals. A responsible, especially single, mother would forbid their child to accept $47 from a stranger, or let him go alone to a séance on a school night.
Ken would leave an iPod unused in a junk drawer? Saving for an iPhone, he already has a cell phone ... How rich is he? And how stupid? After 3 hours acquaintance he'd trust a stranger over years and life-threatening peril with Jenna?
He says he "hated being rude" p16 to pleading ghosts. Canadian beaurocrats have the runaround brushoff mastered. Ask for impossible details like taxable income and obscure identification numbers long forgotten; say "We'll look into it"; imply followup will reverse progress, block results; say "More information and funding are required. More time and resources are being utilized (used is too short a word; active verbs would mean action) than estimated. Results may not be achieved in anticipated timeframe. We will get back to you. Don't come back before then or the file will be lost and you'll have to start over."
He can get to Stevie's home with his cell phone internet, plan how to keep his power secret and expose the ticket, stop Lucy from blackmailing him into a date, all of a sudden an opposite smart. His gift is deux ex machina; always the only voice in all of Limbo is the one that can save the day.
The worst is the last line. Amanda hides the identities of the evil masterminds, including the most dangerous mole. Does she deserves a single minute more of my life?
Spoilers:
Amanda scrapes off layers of makeup, removes drab ugly outfit opposite of wardrobe contents, and hears "dead" mother live and lively on phone. I'd suspect a reporter or researcher checking scams, after sidelong puzzled looks from the medium, I'd guess she's the bait to draw others. Why doesn't Amanda inside Margaret phone Ken right away and consult teacher Madame at least? Her idea of adult fun treats - more blonde streaks, leg wax, in a smelly noisy stuffy salon, and regular ice-cream. Yikes.
After their first scary adventure with student teacher Serena, wouldn't they recognize her voice and mannerisms? Though veiled, her voice is not disguised.
Inaccuracies?
Book #4 p41 "Everyone knew that Martin was allergic to peanut butter. he couldn't even smell it without getting sick." Odor is myth, but .4% population estimated affected, severest reaction, anaphylactic shock, kills in minutes. But Book 3 p131 Martin suffers nought after he delightedly spreads "huge gobs of peanut butter" his mother forbids at home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_a...
Marylin Kaye makes these 13ers seem unbelievably stupid; at any age I knew not to go to a strange place, especially without asking permission, informing, leaving written record, AND taking adult(s). After two years of villainous kidnaps, threats and manipulation, how can Ken not know bad guys are after all of them, $2M worth. Why do the kids ask for trouble, not warn each other, even knowing the whole evil plan? Middle School is Grades 7-9 p21; my baby sisters knew better before they could talk; this generation has cell phones and no excuse.
This writer does not seem to live in the real world. Child (11<12) Stevie cannot take out Ken's adult (13) books, especially without an adult card. The parent signs and is responsible for the child's withdrawals. A responsible, especially single, mother would forbid their child to accept $47 from a stranger, or let him go alone to a séance on a school night.
Ken would leave an iPod unused in a junk drawer? Saving for an iPhone, he already has a cell phone ... How rich is he? And how stupid? After 3 hours acquaintance he'd trust a stranger over years and life-threatening peril with Jenna?
He says he "hated being rude" p16 to pleading ghosts. Canadian beaurocrats have the runaround brushoff mastered. Ask for impossible details like taxable income and obscure identification numbers long forgotten; say "We'll look into it"; imply followup will reverse progress, block results; say "More information and funding are required. More time and resources are being utilized (used is too short a word; active verbs would mean action) than estimated. Results may not be achieved in anticipated timeframe. We will get back to you. Don't come back before then or the file will be lost and you'll have to start over."
He can get to Stevie's home with his cell phone internet, plan how to keep his power secret and expose the ticket, stop Lucy from blackmailing him into a date, all of a sudden an opposite smart. His gift is deux ex machina; always the only voice in all of Limbo is the one that can save the day.
The worst is the last line. Amanda hides the identities of the evil masterminds, including the most dangerous mole. Does she deserves a single minute more of my life?
Spoilers:
Amanda scrapes off layers of makeup, removes drab ugly outfit opposite of wardrobe contents, and hears "dead" mother live and lively on phone. I'd suspect a reporter or researcher checking scams, after sidelong puzzled looks from the medium, I'd guess she's the bait to draw others. Why doesn't Amanda inside Margaret phone Ken right away and consult teacher Madame at least? Her idea of adult fun treats - more blonde streaks, leg wax, in a smelly noisy stuffy salon, and regular ice-cream. Yikes.
After their first scary adventure with student teacher Serena, wouldn't they recognize her voice and mannerisms? Though veiled, her voice is not disguised.
Inaccuracies?
Book #4 p41 "Everyone knew that Martin was allergic to peanut butter. he couldn't even smell it without getting sick." Odor is myth, but .4% population estimated affected, severest reaction, anaphylactic shock, kills in minutes. But Book 3 p131 Martin suffers nought after he delightedly spreads "huge gobs of peanut butter" his mother forbids at home. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peanut_a...
October 20, 2012
Following the Gifted series , in Book #4 we meet Ken - a star Soccer Player and an all-round jock. Like Amanda , he is one of the popular kids and he too is hiding a special ability. Ken discovered after an accident occured , that he could speak to the dead . He may not be able to see them but he definitely can hear them loud and clear and it is his job to pass messages onto their living ones so that the dead can rest their weary souls. Finders Keepers tells the tale of Ken , who finds an invitation to a Seance in his locker- unsure if it is a prank, he goes along taking Amanda with him. It turns out to be held at a medium's house where the pair of them, meet Medium Cassandra , Maggie and Stewie - all arriving at the Seance for a different purpose. In Finders Keepers, we read as Amanda's body does her snatching as she ends up being Maggie, and as the tale goes along we soon discover that the medium Cassandra and Maggie are not what they seem or who they are pretending to be . Can Amanda with Ken's ability to hear the dead , expose them ? Stewie, the only one who seems genuine about contacting the dead is hoping to get in contact with his Dad who recently passed as the family are going through some financial strife and just before his Dad passed , he had won $2 Million dollars on Lotto and now with his Dad gone, no-one has been able to locate the ticket. Can Ken help Stewie contact the spirit of his dad in order to find the location of the winning ticket ?
Find out all this and more in Book #4 of Marilyn Kaye's series "Gifted".
Find out all this and more in Book #4 of Marilyn Kaye's series "Gifted".
February 13, 2011
I actually would give this a 3.5, but in math we round up so I shall do that here too.
To be honest, I wasn't a major fan of all the books in this series. I never got too into it, but each book has been getting better. This story is about Ken, who is my second favorite character. He is really relatable and a decent guy. His predicament sucks though: best friend dead, can now speak to ghosts in his head. It was really interesting to learn more about how he became the way he was.
Though his part was cool, I have to say the real interesting part was Amanda, my favourite character's, point of view. Amanda was as complex as ever, but I can see her on the verge of change. She understands how mean she is and she's slowly changing that. In Finders Keepers, Amanda starts to feel like she's unimportant. Small resentful feelings. The reason I think this is progress is that before, she never cared at all what the gifted kids thought, so this is a huge step for her.
I'm genuinely interested to read what happens next. I'd like to know more about Charles or Sarah (who has the best gift, IMO). These books are picking up in pace while they remain quick, light reads. This story is really original and has great potential so I'm excited to see where all that potential goes.
To be honest, I wasn't a major fan of all the books in this series. I never got too into it, but each book has been getting better. This story is about Ken, who is my second favorite character. He is really relatable and a decent guy. His predicament sucks though: best friend dead, can now speak to ghosts in his head. It was really interesting to learn more about how he became the way he was.
Though his part was cool, I have to say the real interesting part was Amanda, my favourite character's, point of view. Amanda was as complex as ever, but I can see her on the verge of change. She understands how mean she is and she's slowly changing that. In Finders Keepers, Amanda starts to feel like she's unimportant. Small resentful feelings. The reason I think this is progress is that before, she never cared at all what the gifted kids thought, so this is a huge step for her.
I'm genuinely interested to read what happens next. I'd like to know more about Charles or Sarah (who has the best gift, IMO). These books are picking up in pace while they remain quick, light reads. This story is really original and has great potential so I'm excited to see where all that potential goes.
March 2, 2014
Awful book!!!!
June 22, 2023
The impression I get from this series is Nancy Drew X-Men, and a middle school version of them (despite the 18-ish-looking models on the cover). I can't really explain it, that's just how it comes to mind... yes, they have powers and are in school together: X-Men. They... sort of stumble into a mystery and try to solve it as a group? I don't know; maybe it's the writing style.
The main thing that keeps me from suspending disbelief enough to really enjoy the story is the backstory for the guy (this seems to be Ken's book; the other books focus on the other students, based on the synopses).
HUGE SPOILER:
He and a friend were, some time prior to the start of the book, on the soccer team together and were practicing when suddenly they collided; Ken went into a coma, and the friend DIED from a broken neck.
Like...
What.
Your kid is so fragile and is playing soccer, what even.
(Note: This DOES seem to be a thing,* but mostly with other conditions present... I guess it still feels like the "being prepared in case of abandoned horse" scenario: so outside of my wheelhouse I can't quite believe it actually happens.)
* https://sportsbrief.com/facts/top-lis...
The story overall is fine? Like, they seem like believable characters (other than the clearly older cover models and that they don't feel like they're in middle school) and not perfect angels or anything (they mess up a LOT), and the end is a clear set up, but I don't know if I'd seek out more of the books, even if I wouldn't mind reading them. Like, if there are more in the dollar store or in a free library, sure. Actively trying to remember to look for them through an online order form? Maybe not.
The main thing that keeps me from suspending disbelief enough to really enjoy the story is the backstory for the guy (this seems to be Ken's book; the other books focus on the other students, based on the synopses).
HUGE SPOILER:
He and a friend were, some time prior to the start of the book, on the soccer team together and were practicing when suddenly they collided; Ken went into a coma, and the friend DIED from a broken neck.
Like...
What.
Your kid is so fragile and is playing soccer, what even.
(Note: This DOES seem to be a thing,* but mostly with other conditions present... I guess it still feels like the "being prepared in case of abandoned horse" scenario: so outside of my wheelhouse I can't quite believe it actually happens.)
* https://sportsbrief.com/facts/top-lis...
The story overall is fine? Like, they seem like believable characters (other than the clearly older cover models and that they don't feel like they're in middle school) and not perfect angels or anything (they mess up a LOT), and the end is a clear set up, but I don't know if I'd seek out more of the books, even if I wouldn't mind reading them. Like, if there are more in the dollar store or in a free library, sure. Actively trying to remember to look for them through an online order form? Maybe not.
March 27, 2023
I thought this was such a good story. It showed how easy it is to be taken in by a scam. It also showed the importance of sharing the knowlage if you know something bad is going on. I keep thinking Amanda is growing as a person, then something happens and its like maybe not. I couldn't remember this book at all from when I was a teenager, so either I only read the first three books in the series or I wasn't as into this storyline back then. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
June 5, 2018
Loved how little things can all come together in the end!
January 19, 2020
Empiezo a sentir que cada libro es una copia del anterior, los mismos miedos, errores y actitudes de los protagonistas y sólo cambia el personaje principal. Al menos te enteras del pasado de cada uno
November 3, 2023
Its very interesting. If you like mysteries gifted will be a great book for you!
October 6, 2025
⭐⭐⭐,5
Sinceramente este libro me ha gustado mucho.
Si no fuera porque los personajes que no son Amanda tienen un nulo desarrollo emocional le pondría mejor nota.
Sinceramente este libro me ha gustado mucho.
Si no fuera porque los personajes que no son Amanda tienen un nulo desarrollo emocional le pondría mejor nota.
January 14, 2023
I found this one interesting! We saw Ken and Amanda hanging out more. Ken ended up getting a mysterious note in his locker that read “Seance”. When they visit the building, things take an interesting turn. I enjoyed the ending, it had quite the twist!
September 19, 2010
So this book definetely got me back into the series, but it also made me officially hate a character. During the first three books, I could deal with Amanda, she helped Tracey, she had her short love that made her a little bit sympathetic, and in the third, she was...okay, but I officially hate her in the fourth. I've never hated a main character this much, besides Zoey from HON. I really tried to like her, since she was technically the first main character, but when you keep secrets that could mean the safety of your friends, I have no sympathy for you. I know they were picking on her, but she still had not right to withhold information.
What got me back into the series:
I actually liked Ken, which I say that because I did not even like the jocks back at my school. I don't know, he didn't seem like much of a jock to me, maybe because of the gift. I also find myself angry that only two dead people contacted him throughout the book, it always seemed like more people were contacting him. I also liked the fact that he was talking to his dead best friend, and trying to help Stevie.
I have to say Tracey didn't grate my nerves in this book like she did in the last, not as crazy perky. She also played a particulary important role in the book, helping Ken find the lottery ticket, telling Ken no one believe someone about their powers (so he didn't accept Lucy's blackmail), and helping reveal Serena for who she was, with Jenna and Emily's help of course. Jenna also played a big part in following Ken and reading Serena's mind.
I also like that this book wasn't as predictable. You didn't know when Amanda was going to go back to her body, Jenna shows up to the apartment, Tracey takes off Serena's mask, Ken didn't reveal his gift, and Amanda kept her new knowledge secret and the principle was part of it. It was still predictable though, that no one would end up hurt in the end, Serena wouldn't get the lottery ticket, Stevie would find the lottery ticket, Lucy and Ken would never go out, and Serena, Clare, and Stuart were in this together, as I guessed in one of my previous reviews. I also liked how Ken told Lucy to go ahead and tell everyone because no one would believe her, I cracked up laughing! And I think that I see Tracey and Ken as more of a future couple, with him being able to hear her even when she's invisible unlike everyone else. I also don't really want Amanda to have a happy ending any more, which I know is horrible, but how I feel. So in all, this made me get back in, I just wished a could have read it sooner, homework got piled up!
What got me back into the series:
I actually liked Ken, which I say that because I did not even like the jocks back at my school. I don't know, he didn't seem like much of a jock to me, maybe because of the gift. I also find myself angry that only two dead people contacted him throughout the book, it always seemed like more people were contacting him. I also liked the fact that he was talking to his dead best friend, and trying to help Stevie.
I have to say Tracey didn't grate my nerves in this book like she did in the last, not as crazy perky. She also played a particulary important role in the book, helping Ken find the lottery ticket, telling Ken no one believe someone about their powers (so he didn't accept Lucy's blackmail), and helping reveal Serena for who she was, with Jenna and Emily's help of course. Jenna also played a big part in following Ken and reading Serena's mind.
I also like that this book wasn't as predictable. You didn't know when Amanda was going to go back to her body, Jenna shows up to the apartment, Tracey takes off Serena's mask, Ken didn't reveal his gift, and Amanda kept her new knowledge secret and the principle was part of it. It was still predictable though, that no one would end up hurt in the end, Serena wouldn't get the lottery ticket, Stevie would find the lottery ticket, Lucy and Ken would never go out, and Serena, Clare, and Stuart were in this together, as I guessed in one of my previous reviews. I also liked how Ken told Lucy to go ahead and tell everyone because no one would believe her, I cracked up laughing! And I think that I see Tracey and Ken as more of a future couple, with him being able to hear her even when she's invisible unlike everyone else. I also don't really want Amanda to have a happy ending any more, which I know is horrible, but how I feel. So in all, this made me get back in, I just wished a could have read it sooner, homework got piled up!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2011
Finders Keepers by Marilyn Kaye is a sequel to the Gifted series. In this book, a character named Ken Preston starts to hear people who are dead talk, which is entirely stuck inside Ken’s head, and this all started when Ken Preston injured his head. I find this truly amazing that you can listen to dead people talk inside your head, but I find it a lot creepy. That is very unusual in reality whenever people injure their heads. Throughout this book, I felt like this character, Amanda had liked Ken Preston. The point of the series Gifted, is to show Ken has a gift, and he is not alone. In this book there are simply nine teenagers, and of those nine teenagers they have secrets. This story is about Ken Preston who is the main character in this book, and he is in love with a dead best friend’s girlfriend. One thing I would describe the character, Amanda, is she is mean, and has a gift like Ken Preston. I find Ken Preston a wonderful guy because of a moment in this book, he and this boy find his dead dad’s winning ticket. What amuses me in this series is that Amanda is evil, because she attempts to take the boy’s money. No one really likes Amanda, but she is really popular. At the SÉANCE, Amanda takes bodies. Takes place in ninth grade! Those nine characters are Amanda, Jenna, Emily, Ken, Tracey, Charles, Sarah, Martin, and Carter. These nine individuals have a gift which is a secret.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 4, 2016
Ken can hear dead people and they always talk to him at the most inappropriate times. Amanda is a body snatcher and only recently was in Ken’s. Each is special and each are in the Special Class at school for kids like them who have special abilities. The entire class of 9 has been warned that there are people who would like to use them for their abilities and so far they have overcome a lot by working together. When Ken gets a message in his locker about a SEANCE he and Amanda decide to go check it out. When Amanda feels sorry for a woman trying to contact her mother she ends up becoming the woman and Ken becomes obsessed with helping a small boy who’s family desperately needs money since his father died. Between trying to help the boy and dealing with his dead best friend’s old girlfriend Ken has enough to do. Amanda wants to show everyone in class that her power in not worthless and then a perfect opportunity just happens to open up when she accidentally body snatches at the SEANCE.
Book 4. The teens in these books are mostly in grade 9. Each book is a quick read that is never dull. In this one I was glad that I got to find out about the first time Ken heard someone from the other side. I am hooked on this series and normally finish one of these books in a day.
Book 4. The teens in these books are mostly in grade 9. Each book is a quick read that is never dull. In this one I was glad that I got to find out about the first time Ken heard someone from the other side. I am hooked on this series and normally finish one of these books in a day.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 20, 2012
The Gifted group is back once more. In the fourth book of the series we get to see through Ken's eyes. Ken has the abiblity to talk to dead people. He keeps thinking that his gift is nothing special, nothing that the bad guys who attacked many of his gifted classmates would want. So, when the opportunity to help a poor boy in a seanse arrives he gets to see that maybe his gift can do some good after all.
This book was really good. Ken's story was finally brought to ligth. His accident and his painful and tragic past and finally how he became aware of his gift. He was a decent character to get to know. Although once again my favourite part of the story was Amanda's part in it. I am really glad that even though we got to know her really well in the first book she is still a very interesting character to be around.
The story had the usual pattern that the Gifted books have. Some bad guys try to use the kids and their powers for their own purposes, but just like the previous book there is more to them. They are all working together and there is a bigger plan that we still don't know anything about.
I can't wait to see what will happen next and what this big bad plan is.
This book was really good. Ken's story was finally brought to ligth. His accident and his painful and tragic past and finally how he became aware of his gift. He was a decent character to get to know. Although once again my favourite part of the story was Amanda's part in it. I am really glad that even though we got to know her really well in the first book she is still a very interesting character to be around.
The story had the usual pattern that the Gifted books have. Some bad guys try to use the kids and their powers for their own purposes, but just like the previous book there is more to them. They are all working together and there is a bigger plan that we still don't know anything about.
I can't wait to see what will happen next and what this big bad plan is.
January 26, 2014
The fourth entry into Marilyn Kaye's Gifted series shares a view into Ken Preston's life. If you've missed any of the previous books, they do work as stand alone novels. However, I've been reading them from the start and can't imagine not wanting to get to know all of the students' powers.
Ken Preston is one of the Gifted. His ability to converse with the dead drives him crazy, but, at the same time, also intrigues him because he has the power to help those who have passed on resolve their unfinished business.
When he finds a mysterious invite to a seance, Ken is baffled as to who left it in his locker, but equally intrigued. He goes to the event not knowing that he may be putting himself in danger.
Meanwhile, his past is revealed, including how he gained his power. Because of his past, his former best friend's girlfriend is determined to make Ken her own and she'll do whatever it takes to get him to agree.
Ken Preston is one of the Gifted. His ability to converse with the dead drives him crazy, but, at the same time, also intrigues him because he has the power to help those who have passed on resolve their unfinished business.
When he finds a mysterious invite to a seance, Ken is baffled as to who left it in his locker, but equally intrigued. He goes to the event not knowing that he may be putting himself in danger.
Meanwhile, his past is revealed, including how he gained his power. Because of his past, his former best friend's girlfriend is determined to make Ken her own and she'll do whatever it takes to get him to agree.
November 25, 2016
This book was a good addition to the series building on the events of the previous book we are getting to know the members of the gifted class one by one.
The main character in this book is Ken, a guy who used to be popular but has become isolated since the death of his best friend and his gift which appeared shortly after. Ken has been almost a silent character before this book much like the others but with this series it seems that once a character has had a book based on them that they become a lot more involved.
The secondary characters include members of the gifted class, some of which I've already commented on or will comment on in the next books in the series.
The storyline was good and the pacing was good. I still think these books are a little bit young for me but the books are geting better, but mostly I'm reading them because they are a very easy read.
3.5 stars, a nice easy read
The main character in this book is Ken, a guy who used to be popular but has become isolated since the death of his best friend and his gift which appeared shortly after. Ken has been almost a silent character before this book much like the others but with this series it seems that once a character has had a book based on them that they become a lot more involved.
The secondary characters include members of the gifted class, some of which I've already commented on or will comment on in the next books in the series.
The storyline was good and the pacing was good. I still think these books are a little bit young for me but the books are geting better, but mostly I'm reading them because they are a very easy read.
3.5 stars, a nice easy read
September 23, 2011
Bu kitapta ölülerle konuşan Ken üzerineydi. Yeteneğinin nasıl başladığı anlatılıyordu üzüldüm çocuğa :( Ve yine bu kitaptada Ken'in yeteneğini kötüye kullanmaya çalışıyorlardı. Piyangoyu kazanıp ölmüş bi adamın biletini arıyan oğlu ve Ken'e tuzak kurup parayı ele geçirmeye çalışıyorlardı ama sonunda Amanda'nın beden hırsızlığı sayesinde düşmanlarının kimler olduğu ortaya çıktı :D Ben en çok Carter'ın yeteneğini merak ediyordum. Hiç anlatılmıyor hatta yeteneği olmadığından bile şüpheleniyorlar. Çünkü çocuk hiç konuşmuyor ve geçmişi hatırlamıyor. Gerçek adını bile bilmiyor. Şimdilik serinin devamı çıkmadığı ve büyük ihtimal devam etmeyeceğim için araştırıp baktım. Seriyi okuyup merak edenler için..
**SPOİLER**
Yeteneği şekil değiştiriciymiş. İlginç geldi bana acaba büründüğü çocuk kimliği gerçek değil mi diye meraklandım :D
**SPOİLER**
Yeteneği şekil değiştiriciymiş. İlginç geldi bana acaba büründüğü çocuk kimliği gerçek değil mi diye meraklandım :D
January 2, 2011
Ken has only had his "gift" for a short time. Ever since his recent head injury, he has been contacted by the dead. He wants to find out more about this talent and see if there are more people like him. A mysterious note lures him to a seance where he finds a kindred soul and a child in need. At least that is what he thinks.
I enjoy this series. I like the characters and the way the group is coming together. In this book we get some more hints about the people who are trying to use the gifted class. Thhis story was pretty good but I think it was a bit hard to believe that Ken would be so willing to accept the inviation to the seance and be so naive. But, he is just in the 9th grade. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
I enjoy this series. I like the characters and the way the group is coming together. In this book we get some more hints about the people who are trying to use the gifted class. Thhis story was pretty good but I think it was a bit hard to believe that Ken would be so willing to accept the inviation to the seance and be so naive. But, he is just in the 9th grade. I am looking forward to the next in the series.
March 3, 2011
I found that there were too many gifted characters in this book to keep up with. There are only a few that I can actually tell you from memory what their special talents are. I realize, however, that this is the 4th book in the series, so perhaps if I had read the first 3, I would have a better grasp on the characters.
As far as the storyline goes, it was all right. But again, I didn't get the significance of Serena and the references to things that had happened to the group in the past went over my head. Some things felt a little pushed. Like whenever technology was mentioned (cell phones, etc.), the reference seemed forced; as if the story was written many years ago and the author came back and added up to date information.
As far as the storyline goes, it was all right. But again, I didn't get the significance of Serena and the references to things that had happened to the group in the past went over my head. Some things felt a little pushed. Like whenever technology was mentioned (cell phones, etc.), the reference seemed forced; as if the story was written many years ago and the author came back and added up to date information.
April 10, 2012
Ken can talk to the dead. Ever since he got hurt in a soccer accident where his friend died, he’s been able to talk to dead people. It started with his friend but once he moved on other spirits came to ken for help. He didn’t want to help them. he gets a note saying that if he wants to meet more people with his type of gift he had to go to a certain place and he does go and Amanda goes with him. ken meets a boy who says his dad has died and he had a winning lottery ticket that he had hidden in a special place. The boy’s father contacts ken and told him where the ticket was so asked Tracey to make herself invisible to get the ticket and put in plain sight for Stevie’s mother to find it and they can cash it in and save their home and it’s all because of Ken’s gift to talk to the dead.
May 8, 2010
Ken is desperate to control the voices in his head...including his now departed best friend. His best friend asks way too much from Ken and gets into a uncomfortable position with his dead friend's girl-friend. Did I mention she's shallow and a downright beyatch?!
Ken's part of the "gifted" class who all have special powers. The girl he may like but she likes him are both shallow and don't give each other a true chance of getting to know each other. When there's a bump on the road, so to speak, Ken isn't there for her nor does he seemingly truly care.
Reading this because I am stuck on reading series. Disappointed.
Ken's part of the "gifted" class who all have special powers. The girl he may like but she likes him are both shallow and don't give each other a true chance of getting to know each other. When there's a bump on the road, so to speak, Ken isn't there for her nor does he seemingly truly care.
Reading this because I am stuck on reading series. Disappointed.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 13, 2010
Following the accident that ultimately led to the end of his soccer career, Ken learned that he was able to communicate with the dead. Along Ken's journey we learn that talking to dead people is not always fun or the best way to make friends. It also doesn't help that his best friend is one of those people that communicates with him.
Ken ultimately learns that not everyone is worthy of his trust. It really hit home that not everyone has the best intentions when it comes to the gifted students, and even though Ken's gift isn't as easily exploited, he is still a target and needs to learn to control his feelings so he doesn't find himself in the same situation he did with Cassandra.
Ken ultimately learns that not everyone is worthy of his trust. It really hit home that not everyone has the best intentions when it comes to the gifted students, and even though Ken's gift isn't as easily exploited, he is still a target and needs to learn to control his feelings so he doesn't find himself in the same situation he did with Cassandra.
April 11, 2012
After the death of Ken Prestons best friend, he began to hear dead people. His best friend included. These people would generally seek his help with something or just want to talk. Ken hates his gift and sees it as a burden. As he opens is locker one day he finds a note inside that says, "Ken, are you one of us?" It then invited him to a seance that night. Ken intrigued went and after his third time in attendance he discovers he has been mislead and used. The mystery unfolds as the story progresses.
Great teen voice. Fun light read. I enjoyed it. It's interesting getting a glimpse back into the teen world. Kaye did a great job though. Great for lower to middle grade.
Great teen voice. Fun light read. I enjoyed it. It's interesting getting a glimpse back into the teen world. Kaye did a great job though. Great for lower to middle grade.
September 5, 2010
I do like this whole series. And I do like that the author shows how sweet-hearted the main character is. I just really hated Amanda at the end. Yeah, they were being rather mean to her. But is she really so childish as to keep such dire information from them? Apparently so. Over the past three books, she's been slowly seeming to change. It looks like she hasn't changed at all, which kind of makes me mad.
November 28, 2010
YAWN! I was ok with it about a year ago, but now, it is turning out to be a big flop. I guess the author was too bold, and struck a little too soon. Or, I outgrown this thing. I mean the first book was allright, the second was better, the third had the same quality as the first, but this book, the fourth, well... it's o.k. But, for people who are about 12 or younger can read it, and possibly be crazy over it. I'm just saying.
January 21, 2011
Ken got an invitation to a sience and he tried to help one of the people there because he felt bad for them. He figured since he could talk to dead people he could help. But his classmates in his gifted class suspected something wrong. So they follow him and they find out the leader of the sience was a scam artist and she was using him. All in all everything turned out okay. Thanks to Ken's classmates he is safe and nobody else found out about their gifts.
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