STORK

In this intriguing debut, a fashion-conscious California teen moves to northern Minnesota and has trouble fitting into her new surroundings, especially when she learns that she has supernatural powers. Katla is 16 and can’t imagine how she’ll survive in the backwater town where her grandfather lives. Soon after arriving, however, she learns that she is a “stork,” the youngest of a group of white witches who have the power to decide which woman in her town will become pregnant. As Katla struggles with this bizarre twist in her fortunes, she also tries to adjust to her new school and cope with the attentions of two boys. Obnoxious Wade won’t leave her alone, and mysterious Jack claims some shadowy connection with her. Delsol rather deftly weaves the two strands of her story together, revealing layers of back story as she builds suspense. Katla comes across as a breezy, bright teen who finds herself overwhelmed by the increasingly odd circumstances of her life but learns that she can cope. Skillfully written and quite engaging. (Paranormal romance. 12 & up)