Certain Signals (The Gift) - Tapa blanda

"What gift would you choose if a strange man showed up in your dreams and asked? That is the quandary that faces the main characters in this series. Once chosen, the joys and the consequences must be faced. The slightly paranormal overtones will be appreciated by readers interested in this particular genre. Throw in typical teenage angst, romance, and friendship, and you have the makings for age-appropriate books for reluctant readers. The writing and the vocabulary are simple; the storyline is a bit more complex. The African-American characters are somewhat fleshed out; ultimately enough of their personality and background is shared. Recommended."―Library Media Connection

"In these slim, uneven novels, the main characters choose unusual 'gifts' and then learn lessons about love and life as they use their new abilities. In All You Are, Da'Quan is desperate to join the 'in' crowd. When a mysterious man in his dreams offers him a psychic talent, Da'Quan eagerly accepts the ability to channel the best and worst qualities of his friends. With Daniel's basketball skills, for example, also comes crippling insecurity. Terrell's ease with girls also brings a reading disability. As he gains these insights and more, Da'Quan must decide whether joining the popular crowd is worth the price. In Certain Signals, the weaker of the two installments, Rashawn accepts the ability to detect sexual attraction. He hopes to use his gift to find a girlfriend. Unfortunately, his ear burns whenever he's around anyone who's experiencing attraction to anyone else in the room, leading to some awkward situations. The novels have a breezy, enjoyable writing style and sympathetic characters, both African American teen boys. However, the stories aren't as compelling or plot driven as they could be--though 'Will I ever find a girlfriend?' is no doubt a central question for many teens, the stakes don't seem that high. Purchase for collections that need more high-interest, lower-reading level titles with diverse characters, but fans of the 'Bluford High' series (Scholastic) may be disappointed by the lack of drama." --School Library Journal

Rashawn is smart, owns his own car, and has some cred with the "it" crowd. But when it comes to girls, his moves and his pickup lines are a disaster. If only he knew how to read girls. When a man shows up in a dream and offers Rashawn a gift, Rashawn knows exactly what he wants: attraction detection. But is it possible to know too much?