Content levels
Hero archetypes
Protagonist archetypes
Synopsis
Young readers will find action, suspense, and a perilous battle between good and evil in The Hadley Academy for the Improbably Gifted from New York Times bestselling author Conor Grennan. For ages 10 and up, this dystopian fantasy novel follows a boy's unlikely journey to save humanity as he unravels his true identity and the responsibility it comes with. Jack Carlson is dreading a class presentation when he suddenly finds himself transported to the Hadley Academy, a secret institution that tracks teens with unlikely gifts and trains them to protect the world from an unseen squad of killers. But Jack isn't the only one who doesn't know what he's doing at Hadley. Despite indications that he is the one prophesied to end the ancient Reaper War, Jack appears to have no extraordinary abilities. So when dark, mysterious forces grow, Hadley is in a confused panic. Much to everyone's dismay, humanity seems to depend on Jack and his new teammates. Can Hadley's rawest recruits push past personal struggles and enormous doubts, develop their dormant powers, and stop the spreading evil? And are they willing to commit to Hadley's motto, "One Life for Many," and make the ultimate sacrifice? The Hadley Academy for the Improbably Gifted might be just the place for Jack after all. This action-packed novel will captivate readers with its riveting plot, relatable characters, humorous dialogue, and dynamic illustrations. Fans of the Hunger Games, the Chronicles of Narnia, Divergent, Maze Runner, and Rick Riordan's books will find themselves at home in the battle for good at the Hadley Academy.
Tags
Is The Hadley Academy for the Improbably Gifted: A Novel appropriate for my child?
Suitable for most readers 10 and up.
This middle grade sci-fi fantasy features battle sequences between teens and evil forces, with peril and life-threatening situations. The motto 'One Life for Many' suggests potential character death and sacrifice themes appropriate for ages 10+.
What to know going in
This book has moderate violence, no sexual content, and clean language. Content notes include death and violence.
Who'll love this
Kids will love following an ordinary teen who discovers he might be the prophesied hero, training at a secret academy with other gifted teens to battle ancient evil forces.