Her Secret Will Electrify You...

Brandon Zuniga

Gift
By Andrea J. Buchanan

    Daisy Jones is just a typical sophomore trying to fit into her new high school, after transferring schools way too many times for “behavioral accidents”. However both her, and her best friend Danielle, know the real reason behind her accidents; she has an uncontrolled ability to mess with electronics around her: “Everything...electric went on the fritz when I touched it... like I had a cloud of bad electricity all around me” (25). Throughout her childhood, Daisy and her mother have been able to partially control Daisy’s gift with yoga to keep her energy calm. Although questioning her abilities, she never delved too deep into it. However, after she catches Vivi, a studious but eerie girl, passed out from overdosing on medicine, everything starts to change.
People can talk to ghosts, ghosts are talking to people. You will think it's crazy, but Danielle thinks so too screaming, “You’re telling us that you talk to ghosts! Hello? Definition of crazy!” (48). However, that is not the end of it. Friends are also having shared dreams, but the dreams they share span over real events that have taken place over a hundred years ago. What is the significance, and what will unfold of it? You’re going to need to check the book out for yourself to find out.
This is my third time reading this book, since obtaining it in sixth grade and thus holds deeper meaning to me. With that aside, this book is definitely geared to a more younger audience around age 12-15, due to its comedic, fantastical, and young romance elements. While Daisy can be seen as the serious character when she brings up the idea of meeting in a class to talk about their ghostly encounters, Danielle takes a comedic approach to relieve tension and calls themselves, “The ‘Girl’s Guide to Ghosts’ Group” (76). This, also follows along with unlikely formation of the group as a whole, whom each seem to have their own reasons for seeming different than everyone else, is good for students who struggle with fitting in. The group’s ability to communicate with ghosts and its relation to Daisy’s powers also detail the fantastical side of the story, making it a good candidate for a younger audience. Although an awkward relationship also takes place, it is another tool used to engage the readers with the protagonists. Therefore, I recommend this to young adults who enjoy a bit of fantasy once in a while, and would like to be taken on a journey that will leave you more “shocked” than you think.