Jared has just arrived at the annual summer family reunion when he wrecks his bike and falls into swamp water. It turns out to be toxic and gives him the power to read minds. He ends up learning way more about his family than he ever wanted to know.
The characterization in this novel is somewhat thin (Publishers Weekly 1993). The protagonist is sixteen year old Jared. He has recently changed from a gawky kid to a good looking young man. He is believable in that he�s extremely worried about being embarrassed, particularly when his journal goes missing. He�s not stereotypical because how many sixteen year old guys keep journals? Not many. He�s a good person who is incapable of lying and has an innocent crush on his cousin, Annelise. His superhuman quality is that thanks to the swamp water, he has the ability to read people�s minds. The antagonist is Annelise. She acts sweet and angelic, but is actually evil, self-absorbed and vindictive. She is responsible for a girl�s death in a boating accident and tries to blackmail Jared, Grandma and another cousin, Lindie. While she does make a good villain, she is predictable and two-dimensional (Kirkus Reviews 1993). Two other important characters are Grandma and Lindie. Grandma is hard to read. While she does things to help Jared and Lindie, she�s also done some evil things like stealing and blackmailing. By the end we still don�t know if Grandma is one of the good guys or not. Lindie is the one family member who was never fooled by Annelise. She�s not perfect (she cheated on her SATs) but she�s loving and kind. The characters are revealed through their speech, actions and thoughts. The four main characters are linked together because they all were exposed to swamp water and have the ability to read minds.
The plot is very loosely based on the laws of science and the events are possible. It�s scientifically sound that chemical pollution of the swamp water would make it toxic and that this could effect those exposed to it. It�s possible, but not very probably that Jared and the others gained special abilities from their exposure to the chemicals. This is one of those plot elements that requires suspension of disbelief. The plot is certainly fast moving and interesting. We learn about Jared�s powers within the beginning pages of the story. The main conflict begins with Jared�s realization that his journal is missing. It soon progresses to Jared�s realization that Annelise is evil. Another conflict could be defined as Jared versus his inability to read his Grandmother. The climax and resolution occur when Annelise�s true nature is exposed by Grandma (Sleator 153). The plot ends with the feeling that the story isn�t quite over. There are still questions about how Grandma managed some things and about whether or not she has certain other powers. It is hinted at that she has some power concerning spiders, perhaps she can turn into one or can control spiders with her mind.
The setting isn�t terribly significant. The story is set in present time at some family vacation property on the coast. The presence of a nearby toxic swamp is obviously important. Another important aspect of the setting is that because it is set away from Jared�s home, he is somewhat isolated. For instance, Jared has no friends to talk to because he�s not at home. Grandma however is at home and this increases the advantage that she has over the others.
The theme seems to be not just good versus evil, but that power corrupts. We see what Grandma has done with her new abilities. She has stolen money, blackmailed neighbors, blackmailed her grandchildren and manipulated everyone around her. Jared and Lindie even comment on how it�s good that they have each other so that they can help each other to avoid abusing the power that they�ve gained.
The story is told in third person point of view, but the limited narrator allows us to see Jared�s thoughts. Foreshadowing is a literary element that is used. For instance, when Jared�s uncle goes on and on about the burglaries, it�s obvious that this will come into play later on in the story (Sleator 10). The mood is suspenseful, but somewhat humorous at times as well. For instance, Jared�s tumble into the swamp and his mother�s comments on the smell are funny (Sleator 3). Some figurative language is used. For example, Jared compares the sun to "the unblinking eye of a colossal cyclops" (Sleator 111).
This is �a fascinating story, compelling for the exemplary storytelling and the seductive nature of the fantasy� (Horn Book Guide 1994). Although the characterization is a bit weak, adolescents will enjoy this simple science fiction tale.
Horn Book Guide. 1994. Horn Book Guide. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from
http://www.booksinprint.com/bip. Accessed 28 October 2004.
Kirkus Reviews. 1993. Kirkus Reviews. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from
http://www.booksinprint.com/bip. Accessed 28 October 2004.
Publishers Weekly. 1993. Publishers Weekly. In Books in Print [database online]. Available from
http://www.booksinprint.com/bip. Accessed 28 October 2004.
