FINDERS

by Jan Dean ‧ RELEASE DATE: May 1, 1995

Helen, 16, is adopted, and worries that she doesn't really belong in her family. But when Helen's grandfather dies, he leaves her a gift well beyond genetics; she inherits his abilities as a finder--a psychic locater of objects and people. Helen sees her first vision, of a man in a gray silk suit stepping out of the sea, at the moment of her grandfather's death. Other visions follow, and Helen finds herself at detailed, often frightening replays of the distant past. Then the man in the suit appears in her present-day reality, wanting her to find a strange rock that has been lost for a long time. Gradually Helen gains control of her power, but there is something otherworldly about the man; as the story moves toward its gripping climax, readers will fear for her safety. With strong characterization, believable dialogue, and a well-described setting, Dean's first YA novel is both well done and convincing. The subtly worked plot draws on local folklore and history, gradually introducing pieces of information to shed light on the true identity and purpose of the mysterious man. An eerie tale that rivets from the start.

Pub Date: May 1, 1995

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 176

Publisher: McElderry

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: April 15, 1995

Categories: CHILDREN'S