Carrier of the Mark

Gr 7 Up—Megan and her dad have recently moved to Ireland following the death of her mother. At her new school, the teen is inexplicably attracted to a young man, and the feelings are mutual. After a near-drowning, when it appears that her new love interest has the ability to control water, she is soon let in on the secret of his family: he and his siblings are "marked," and each one controls one of the elements of fire, earth, or water. It also seems that Megan herself has a budding mark, involving the control of air, first evident when she accidentally conjures a tornado to avert an assault. The lore is complicated further when it is revealed that many pagan prophecies will be fulfilled with the addition of her as the fourth, final element. Combine prophecy, amulets, and a secret society stalking the group and you have the makings of a fine paranormal romance, tame enough for younger readers. Wendy Delsol's Stork (Candlewick, 2010) and Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush (S & S, 2009) will provide more of what they are looking for here.—Leah Krippner, Harlem High School, Machesney Park, IL