Gr 9 Up-Maddie has always seen the date people will die, but does not realize what she is seeing until one day, in first grade, her father is killed on a date she told him about two years prior. The tragedy sends Maddie's life spinning out of control: her mother can no longer function without alcohol, they leave the city to live in a small community, Maddie's ability challenges her facility to make friends, and her mother cannot hold down a job. They survive on her father's wrongful death settlement. Maddie, now 16, also makes ends meet by charging a small fee to tell people their death dates. A mother comes for a reading for her youngest son, but Maddie notices that the woman's older son will die in a week instead. The customer accuses Maddie of fraud. When the older boy goes missing a week later, FBI agents show up at the protagonist's school because they suspect Maddie and her best friend, Stubby, of foul play. Soon, more children go missing and turn up dead. This fast-paced story is a little far-fetched: the FBI agents arrest and badly beat Stubby, Maddie suffers unbelievable bullying from classmates and school administrators, all while her mother goes on drinking. At times, the teen seems younger than her years. The plot is filled with false turns, which will keep readers engaged until the surprising ending. Lisa Nabel, Dayton Metro Library, OH

When Maddie was four years old, she discovered that she could see something strange: numbers on foreheads. When she was six years old, she learned that those numbers were death dates. When Maddie is sixteen, her mother is struggling with alcohol addiction and Maddie performs readings for people. When a rich woman comes to her about her daughter, Maddie sees a photo of the woman's son with a date for next week. Maddie tries to tell the woman her daughter will be fine but that her son is in danger and will soon die. The woman leaves very angry. Maddie and best friend Stubby try calling the woman again, but she threatens them with police action. When the woman's son goes missing and is found gruesomely murdered, Maddie and Stubby are hauled in for questioning by the FBI. Maddie must do all she can to convince the FBI of her powers and help solve the crime before she becomes the next victim.This paranormal mystery quickly introduces characters' backgrounds and proceeds directly to solving the crime, with lots of intrigue and suspense. The intense description of tough social life in high school for the odd teen outsider is perfect and even shocking at times. The supportive friendship between Maddie and Stubby, and whether they or their friendship will survive, is engrossing. This excellent book is a must-have for all libraries, especially where suspense and teen-life fiction is hot. This novel will provide crossover appeal to both older teens and adults.Karen Sykeny.