R E K. (bigstone) - , reviewed on 6/17/2022 + 1438 more book reviews

Twelve-year-old Fern McAllister, the black sheep in her family, is somewhat odd. Her pale skin blisters with sun exposure. Fern is an unusual middle school girl unacceptable to her peers. Every day, she deals with spite about her strange qualities and habits. such as blistering from sun exposure, a knack for accurate weather prediction, hearing voices without bodies, and talking with her dog. She doesn't know that she isn't normal but at middle school she is called "freaky Fern."

When Fern vanishes from English class no one saw her leave nor can anyone find her. She finds herself in Pirate Cove on a nearby beach. Neither her mother nor the school headmaster believe her explanation but Sam understands. Following several dangerous incidents Fern discovers who and what she is, learning the truth of her identity and powers as an "otherworldly," which describes those who are not entirely human. Among those, she's special, because she can teleport making her one of the Unusual Eleven. This launcher her in an age-old battle between two factions of Otherworldies that could destroy her, those people she loves, and possibly the world.

The author describes Fern's twelve-year-old insecurities and what it's like to grow up different. Fern, Sam, and their mother are sympathetic and believable characters, with easy to understand motivations. And, the concept of "otherworldlies" made this read refreshing when compared to most vampire tales with Greek myths as the origin for inhuman creatures with supernatural powers. In short, this is as fun read.

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