Out of the Ordinary

Although 15-year-old Molly Gurney feels ``weighed down with ordinariness'' with her ``large feet all too solidly on the ground,'' she possesses special powers that enable her to predict the future and communicate with the inhabitants of other worlds. After encountering three mysterious strangers, Molly is appointed the guardian of Floris, an enchanted, mute child whose life has been threatened. When the boy appears in the Gurney home as an abandoned fledgling, he immediately wins the hearts of Molly, her social-minded mother and two obnoxious brothers. All goes well until the evil Magus kidnaps the child. With the help of two friends, Molly attempts a daring rescue and is able to save her ward as well as break an ancient curse. Fantasy buffs will be intrigued by the characters and plot of this suspenseful first novel. As skillfully wrought as the medieval landscapes of Molly's visions are scenes depicting her troubled home life. Like C. S. Lewis and Madeline L'Engle, Dalton successfully employs elements of both magic and realism to express themes about the power of love to combat even the darkest forces. Ages 12-up. (Sept.)