Cheap Hidden Talents (Starscape) (Book) (David Lubar) Price

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Customer Reviews of Hidden Talents (Starscape)

HHIIDDEN TALENT REVIEW
Hidden talents is a good book, but the first few chapters are kind of boring. This book is about a guy named Martin who is sent to this special school because he can't seem to keep his mouth shut. He had already been kicked out of 4 different schools, Boy Scouts, and Little League. At first when Martin gets to school, he gets in fights with his principal, and then he meets his roomate Torchie who burns stuff. Martin eventually meets more friends, Trash,Lucky, and Cheater. Martin and his friends sneak out at night and discover that they each have a special hidden talent.

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an interesting idea, but too simplistic
Hidden Talents is a young adult novel about boys who have been sent to Edgeview, an alternative school for young boys who have been expelled from every other school they've attended. The main protagonist, Martin Anderson, is thirteen and has a habit of talking back to adults, always seeming to know just what to say to hurt the most. This school is his last chance in his state's educational system, and he is not happy to be there. As he makes friends with some of the other boys he discovers that they have supernatural talents.
Most young people will probably enjoy this book very much. It deals with subjects they are familiar with and that matter to them, such as bullies, difficult teachers, being misunderstood, and being forced into circumstances they have little or no control over. There is some violence and some grossness (a gassy student, for example). The novel is a quick, easy read and contains interesting little sidelights, such as transcripts of conversations and copies of letters and memos, which show what is going on unbeknownst to the first-person narrator.
However, in my opinion as an adult, the book contains some important flaws. The characters are not very well developed, and in many ways are the cliched misunderstood teens you find in many young adult novels. I also didn't find any of the characters very likable, even the misunderstood "good" boys. The teachers were stereotypically awful, except for the science teacher.
And the plot was too simplistic. I found it difficult to believe that boys with uncontrolled psychic powers would simply be shipped off to an alternative school without anyone ever suspecting the truth about any of them. And once they became aware of their powers they seemed too unwilling to use the power for their own gains.
I wouldn't prevent any young person from reading this book; as I say, they will probably relate to many of the characters and issues raised here, and the ending is hopeful and intelligent. But I also wouldn't recommend it; I have read much better young adult novels.

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One talented author
Hidden Talents is a comical adventure of friendship bravery and loyalty! With wonderful description David Lubar really brings these characters to life. With a great story and a good setting [the middle of nowhere] these adventurous teens must figure out about their hidden powers! A smooth blend of the X men and Louis Sacher's "Holes". A classic new aged book for readers from 10-13, those who love adventure and science fiction this is your kind of book! David Lubar has good talent but should describe the characters a little bit better, sometimes you feel like you don't know the characters very well. David Lubar uses very vivid and expressive ways of writing so you get a picture of what he's telling you. He also shows letters sent by the characters and artwork that they make so you get an idea of what the characters are doing. What interested me the most is that Mr. Lubar doesn't give the main character a hidden talent or does he... You sure don't need a hidden talent to read and enjoy this book!