He finds out that he has special powers and learns how to utilize his gifts. But that changes when Christopher’s natural gifts are recognized by the prestigious Holt Academy. His mother pays little attention to him, and he has grown up feeling unwanted. I will be looking forward to the next installment! ( A Reader of Fictions) It's a great choice for those who enjoyed Trenton Lee Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society, as well as Harry Potter. The Ability is a great read for more mature middle graders. Reminiscent of early Harry Potter novels with its neglected hero, oddball teachers, eccentric assortment of classmates, and secret school where students learn to harness their powers, the novel still manages ultimately to feel fresh and original, and the narrative strikes a delicate balance between light-hearted wish-fulfillment, fun, dark moments of heartbreak, and genuine suspense…Those looking for a read-alike to Stewart’s The Mysterious Benedict Society will be delighted with Christopher’s adventure. This book is great for anyone, young or old. It is like Harry Potter for the next generation. There is not a dry spot in this book, no page that I had read twice to understand it.

I knew there would be one because there was a cliff hanger ending. Luckily, there is a sequel coming soon, Mindscape. It has lots of action, suspense, mystery, and some comedy, as well. It seems that age twelve is a special time for the human brain, which is capable of remarkable feats-as also evidenced by Chris's peers Ernest and Mortimer Genver, who, at the direction of their vengeful and manipulative mother, are testing the boundaries of the human mind.īut all this experimentation has consequences, and Chris soon finds himself forced to face them-or his new life will be over before it can begin.“A brilliantly crafted tale, from the quality of the writing to the twistiness of the plot and the complexity of the real-life issues the characters are dealing with… A thrilling, touching, thought-provoking read.” (Common Sense Media) When Christopher begins at his new school, he is astounded at what he can do. But a mysterious visit from the Ministry of Education indicates that Chris might have some potential after all: He is invited to attend the prestigious Myers Holt Academy.

His teachers discount him as a liar and a thief, and his mom doesn't have the energy to deal with him. No one has any confidence in twelve-year-old Christopher Lane. Description Delve into the extraordinary abilities of the twelve-year-old mind in this 'fast-paced, superhero-tinged spy novel' ( Publishers Weekly), the thrilling start to a middle grade series that expands the possibilities of power.

The Ability by M.M. Vaughan