Nobody

Gr 7 Up—Claire Ryan has always felt like a Nobody. As a child, her parents left her at stores, parks, and home alone. She's never understood why she's so forgettable. However, she does not allow herself to wallow in self-pity; instead she survives by losing herself in books and hypothetical situations. One day she notices a young man about her own age watching her. She realizes that he is shocked that she can see him, and that he has malicious intentions. Nix, 17, has been sent by The Society to kill her. She shouldn't be able to see him because Nobodies make perfect close-range assassins because people do not notice them. Nix never thought to question his assignment until Claire sees him and he saves her from a backup team when he is making his second attempt to take her life. Even though he believes she is a Null (someone with the supernatural ability to manipulate others), he takes her into hiding, where he realizes that she is a powerful Nobody. To understand why The Society wants her dead, the pair starts investigating Nix's previous kills, realizing that the organization he has worked for since childhood is evil and needs to be stopped. This thrill ride will keep readers entranced and could appeal to reluctant readers if they can be coaxed to overlook its length. An exciting addition for collections where action novels are popular.—Suanne B. Roush, Osceola High School, Seminole, FL