Has Anyone Seen Jessica Jenkins?

by Liz Kessler

Overview

From New York Times best-selling author Liz Kessler comes the magical tale of a (sometimes invisible) teen—and her truly super friends.

Jessica Jenkins has always been a perfectly ordinary girl—until one day part of her arm vanishes in the middle of geography class! Jessica’s friends Izzy and Tom are determined to help her develop her newfound invisibility, though Jessica is more concerned with discovering where the ability came from. When it becomes apparent that there may be other kids developing strange powers of their own, Jessica marshals them into a slapdash band of “slightly superheroes.” But when an unscrupulous adult discovers the origin of their powers and kidnaps one of the team, the rest must put their heads—and all of their skills—together to avert disaster.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780763674113
Publisher:	Candlewick Press
Publication date:	02/24/2015
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Lexile:	620L (what's this?)
File size:	3 MB
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Liz Kessler is the author of the best-selling Emily Windsnap series, the Philippa Fisher series, the novels North of Nowhere and A Year Without Autumn, and a series of early readers about Poppy the Pirate Dog. Liz Kessler lives in England.

When Liz was quite young (about eight) she wanted to be a poet. She grew up and did lots of other things, but then in 1999 she suddenly realized she wanted to write a book. She says, “It was as though I’d remembered what I’d always wanted to do, and I’ve never looked back.”

About mermaids, she says, “I am fascinated by the sea and all the mysteries of the ocean. It’s so huge and there is so much of it that we haven’t discovered and know nothing about. To me, mermaids represent the possibilities of what might just exist, on the edges of our imaginations and our world.”

Liz recently spent a year traveling around Europe in a camper van with her best friend and her dog, Poppy. She lives in England.

Editorial Reviews

01/01/2015
Gr 4–6—Eighth grade seems pretty normal to Jessica Jenkins until the day her best friend Izzy tells her she started going invisible during geography class. The two girls work hard to find out how and why this is happening and in the process discover that there may be other kids who have developed superpowers. The explanation for these powers is science-based and surprisingly believable, considering the fantasy aspects of the story. Jessica and her newfound allies struggle to come to grips with the changes not only in their own capabilities but in their relationships with each other and those around them. It all comes to a head when Jessica and her friends discover that the source of their powers are threatened. The mix of kids from different backgrounds and social groups makes for an interesting look at the challenges of crossing cultural and social barriers. A light, fun read that is sure to be popular among fans of Kessler's other works, including the "Emily Windsnap" and "Philippa Fisher" series (both Candlewick).—Heidi Grange, Summit Elementary School, Smithfield, UT

School Library Journal

12/22/2014
Kessler (the Emily Windsnap books) returns to familiar themes of uncovering hidden secrets and the value of friendship. Geography class is dragging on when 13-year-old Jessica Jenkins is called out for nodding off. But what she didn’t notice—and her best friend Izzy did—is that part of Jessica’s arm disappeared while she was snoozing. Thus begins a tale that’s part mystery, part science experiment, and a big leap of faith. Through trial, error, and coincidence, Jessica and Izzy learn that Jessica can make herself invisible, thanks to a rose quartz necklace given to her by a family friend, the midwife who helped deliver her. The plot becomes even more labyrinthine as circumstances reveal that a secret serum reacting with various crystals has imbued other kids with powers like levitation and mind-reading. Though the suggestion of supernatural or magical elements intrigues, the strained explanations Kessler uses to ground her story slow her storytelling and diminish the book’s lightness of tone. A somewhat ambiguous conclusion hints at potential additional adventures for this newly formed group of friends/superheroes. Ages 8–12. Agent: Catherine Clarke, Felicity Brian Literary Agency. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

Readers not yet ready for teen thrillers should warm to this unlikely band of new friends who solve this easy-to-read "scientific" mystery with no adult intervention.
—Kirkus Reviews

The mix of kids from different backgrounds and social groups makes for an interesting look at the challenges of crossing cultural and social barriers. A light, fun read that is sure to be popular among fans of Kessler’s other works including the “Emily Windsnap” and “Philippa Fisher” series.
—School Library Journal

The suggestion of supernatural or magical elements intrigues.
—Publishers Weekly

Kessler combines elements of adventure, mystery, and fantasy, incorporating themes of friendship into a fun middle grade novel. Teachers will find it to be an engaging read-aloud.
—School Library Connection

Anyone who ever dreamed of being more than ordinary will love this slightly super story.
—Discovery Girls

From the Publisher

2014-11-04
Superhuman powers. The best thing ever—or a total nightmare? Jessica Jenkins and her best friend, Izzy, work to investigate her newfound ability to become invisible, which first occurs spontaneously in geography class. Why does she have this power? How does it work? Who else has these powers? Luckily, invisibility helps the sleuthing process, as Jessica sneaks into a laboratory while Izzy distracts its genius doctor. Discovering ties to her mom's best friend, Nancy, and a beautiful necklace Nancy gave her on her 13th birthday, Jessica begins to unravel the mystery. Kessler (A Year Without Autumn, 2011, etc.) often explores themes of friendship, and this book is no exception. The mystery that the girls must solve provides the frame for stretching their minds about relationships as well. Could popular girl Heather also have superpowers? What about their brilliant friend Tom? The lighthearted tone of the book allows readers to suspend disbelief about the pseudo-science behind all of this, but questions of medical ethics and commercial corruption remain key to the story. Readers not yet ready for teen thrillers should warm to this unlikely band of new friends who solve this easy-to-read "scientific" mystery with no adult intervention. (Fantasy. 9-12)

Kirkus Reviews