THE FIELD

Eric Horton is a talented soccer player and a decent student, and he manages to convince the new French exchange student to go out with him; is he just a lucky teenager, or is he tapping into extra energy via the Field?

When Eric and his best friend, Will, agree to act as test subjects for their beautiful classmate’s physicist father, they’re both skeptical but willing. When Eric’s natural ability to do things like communicate via telepathy and conduct astral projections becomes apparent, he accepts the extra energy—and responsibility—that comes with it. Why not? He’s a better goalkeeper when he can anticipate where the ball is going to go. And when the horrifying dreams and premonitions that have plagued him start coming true, it’s handy to have a backup source of strength to do things like lift cars and rip doors off hinges. Richardson uses her science education to delve into questions about interconnectedness and alternative resources; these explorations add necessary depth to characters who are otherwise recognizable tropes from the landscape of teen literature. Readers will appreciate the fast-paced, compelling drama but may wish for more wonder, even cynicism, from these kids, who react to cutting-edge science with an obligatory air of acceptance.

A good choice for people who hope there’s more to space than space.