When Lightning Strikes

Jess Mastriani is a typical, slightly cynical high schooler who gets struck by lightning while walking home. She wakes up with the ability to see the locations of missing children in her dreams. The story follows her as she attempts to use this power for good while being pursued by the FBI, dealing with a skeptical best friend, and managing a crush on the school's resident bad boy. SENSITIVE TOPICS: The book deals with the abduction of children and the subsequent trauma for families, handled through a secular, action oriented lens. The resolution is hopeful but realistic about the dangers of the world. EMOTIONAL ARC: It starts with a sense of adolescent frustration and shifts into high stakes tension. The arc moves from confusion and fear to a grounded sense of empowerment and moral clarity. IDEAL READER: A 14 year old girl who feels like she does not fit the 'perfect student' mold and is looking for a protagonist who is snarky, relatable, and discovers she is capable of more than she ever imagined. PARENT TRIGGER: A parent might choose this after hearing their child say, 'Nobody understands why I do things differently,' or seeing them struggle with a secret they are afraid to share. PARENT PREP: The book is safe for cold reading, though parents may want to be aware of the suspenseful nature of the kidnapping subplots. AGE EXPERIENCE: Younger teens will focus on the 'cool factor' of the psychic powers and the romantic tension, while older teens will likely resonate more with Jess's defiance against government overreach and her struggle with unwanted fame. DIFFERENTIATOR: Unlike many superhero tropes, Jess's powers are a burden she did not ask for, making her journey more about the ethics of power than the thrill of it.