Talents are something that everyone
wants and hopes to use to achieve their goals. But, what would you do if you
were a sixth grade kid who can read minds, know things that might happen before
they do and even figure out how to stop someone from thinking you are going to
help them cheat on a test? Well! What a great feat that would be!
“ESP is sometimes called, the sixth
sense because it is extra beyond our normal senses as Loyd Auerbach, MS shares
in the forward of this book. He defines telepathy, Clairvoyance and
Precognition and helps readers understand the kids are often more psychic than
adults. Meet Peter Powell ad sixth grader who will surprise, mystify and
definitely make you wonder: But, first think of a number between one and 100
before reading this book. You’ll learn why at the end. I did and was pleasantly
surprised.
Peter Powell can read minds. Eleven
years old and definitely smart, astute and knows exactly when to use his
talents. Distracted during time and then sent to the school psychologist, Ms.
Hornbauer who well sometimes grownups cannot handle things like Peter is ADHD.
Even more revealing as he tells her he hears people talking when their lips are
not moving. Wanting to test him for ESP was her next move. ESP the ability to
read minds or called the sixth sense. But, not everyone is a friend and one not
so great friend named Rodney Bell was waiting to see the Ms. Hornbauer and low
and behold he knows the secret and of course would now use it to manipulate Peter.
Added in Peter had a crush on a girl in his class named Casey Grant whose mind
he tried to read during a math test and might have been accused of cheating.
But, here is where the story gets interesting as we meet Pete in school and
learn more about Mr. Stein the substitute teacher!
But, just as Mr. Stein introduced
himself Peter caught wind of his thoughts. Was this substitute teacher really
planning on robbing the school cafeteria? Or was he planning something bigger? How
does this 11 year old approach the Principal and tell him what he thinks an
adult might do? As he tried to follow what his dad always told him to rehearse
before speaking which helps you to figure out what he would say, no amount of
rehearsing was going to change the outcome when poor Peter had to face Mr.
Stein along with Principal Willis. Adults have a way of covering up for
themselves and the end result was they both thought that Peter was “prone to
exaggeration.” But, not so fast everyone wait until you find out what happens
next!
Rodney was the school bully and was
constantly annoying Peter. Big for the grade hi’s in and knowing Peter’s
secret, will Peter cover for him and not be a tattletale when he comes in hurt
and in need of the nurse. A chapter test in math was hanging over his head and
talk with his father did not ease his tension. But, poor Mr. Davenport was
really sick and Mr. Stein was there. Just from his greeting you know that this
was going to be trouble for Peter. Talking about money and where it goes and
instructing the class in the Federal Reserve System triggers something in
Peter’s mind. Using hands on experiences he shows the class how money is
stored, how loans are paid and decides on a field trip to the bank.
Casey Grant and Peter talk about
the field trip at lunch and he spills what he thinks. But, what can two kids do
to stop what an adult has in mind? But, first the math test that would or not
prove to Rodney that Peter was not going to help him cheat and he might pass on
his own. You have to read it to understand Peter’s logic and the humor.
Every step of the way we learn more
about Peter’s talents and how he tries to use it for the good. But, can he and
Casey along with Rodney figure out how to stop Mr. Stein? Pretending to do a
research project for school they follow Stein to learn his movements and more
about what he does when not in school. Finding them in the same market they
cover for themselves and convince him to buy fruit snacks for the class trip
for the students.
As Peter and Casey decide on their
next move they enter the First American Bank pretending to deposit some money,
telling the teller who directs them to Judy in charge of new accounts. By the
time Peter and Casey get done she takes them into the vault to show them just
how protected their money is as he explains that he wants to become a lawyer
when he gets older. But, things get dicey and difficult when the class does go
on the trip and the truth is revealed. No one believed him and the adults in
the school thought he was wrong about Mr. Stein. But, when Davenport gets sick
again and the class trip comes about wait until you find out what happens when
the class is taken into the vault and Mr. Stein implements his plan.
Fear, nerves and definitely some
quick thinking come into play as Mr. Stein takes a chance, gets tons of money
and what happens next you just won’t believe. Did he really plant a bomb in the
vault? What will happen to Casey? Why did he take her hostage? Will they ever
get out and will they recover the money? A chase that is heart stopping and a
sixth grader that hopes his mind reading skills will save his friend, get the
culprit and find the money. An ending you won’t expect. A final scene that will
make you smile and let’s not forget to do the exercise on page 107. Added in
the author gives readers a small treat: A short excerpt from his next book:
ESPete: Psychic Hoop Dreams.
This book is for middle school
readers and even older teaching kids honesty, understanding and friendships are
important. Sometimes we even help a bully like Rodney see the light! Characters
that you have to love and a young 11-year-old boy named Peter that is smart,
polite, and adorable and definitely hopes to see more of Casey Grant. Can't
wait to read the next book.
Fran Lewis: Reviewer
E.S. Pete: Sixth
Grade Sense is about the perils of a paranormal preteen and winner of the Moonbeam Children’s Book
Awards and Reader’s Favorite Book Awards
ISBN: 0981587909
Publisher: Paraphrase, LLC
