Science Fiction/Fantasy about a young mage who can open portals [s]

[Starshine]

A few years ago I read a book that I believe was meant to the be the first book in a series, but I forgot about it before the next book came out. Now it's popped into my head, but I can only remember a few details. A young boy living in a magical community, hidden from the humans, who is thought to have no magical powers and is shunned by his community. He accidentally discovers that he can open portals in space with his mind, which is actually *not* good news, because that power is forbidden. A few in the community manage to smuggle him out, he grows up in hiding, and there is eventually a battle between different magical worlds that had been previously cut off from each other (which is why the opening portals power was forbidden.)

They're living on earth in modern times, in the US I'm pretty sure. Their community operates somewhat like a commune, but it's hidden from the human world, I think magically. The boy is basically a babysitter because he has no magic powers, supposed to supervise the younger children as they develop their magic. He accidentally discovers his power in front of the kids, and they report him. He's supposed to be put to death, but is smuggled out of the community by people who are hoping he'll "save" them one day by opening the portals that have been locked down for generations.

The portals were closed by a powerful mage who (I think) was trying to end fighting between different magical communities. This boy's community is left poor and at the mercy of others (I don't remember why) and some in the community secretly hope to re-open the portals, as this will somehow help their situation.

I believe at the end of the book, the boy, now a young man, has finally opened a portal to another world, and it's a cliffhanger.

[Michelle Mulford]

This sounds a lot like The Lost Gate, although I haven't read it, but it was just published.

[Starshine]

That's it! Thank you! Don't know why I thought I read it a few years ago, but that's definitely it.

[Michelle Mulford]

Awesome!