Bad Connection (The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor) by Melody Carlson Grades 7-9 256 pages Multnomah August 2006 Paperback     Bad Connection tunes young adults to the right frequency on the supernatural spectrum. In this well-written and engaging story, readers will learn some basic biblical truths about the gift of prophecy. Samantha McGregor has periodic dreams and visions concerning the people around her. These flashes offer a startling peek into a spiritual dimension, while also giving Samantha a burden for helping those in trouble. When she starts to see missing teenager Kayla Henderson gagged and bound, Samantha knows she has to get involved. But the visions don’t reveal details of Kayla’s location or her current physical condition. A frustrating yet fearless commitment to finding her friend leads Samantha into some surprising and dangerous situations. Author Melody Carlson lifts the veil from the supernatural world and shines the light of Scripture upon it. Samantha is new kind of heroine, filled with a righteous innocence and a gentle spirit. The dialogue is contemporary, showcasing some of the more common thoughts and actions of teenagers, yet the reader will be impressed by Samantha’s desire to live a pure life before God. This is brought into the narrative in a natural way as she interacts with her peers and family members. This glimpse into the world of prophecy is firmly backed up with appropriate Bible verses, giving both credence and clarity to Samantha’s intuitive ability. By viewing the supernatural world through the lens of Scripture, readers will better understand its real presence as well as its place in God’s plans. As a result, young adults can trade their fear of the unknown into a reassuring faith in the One who holds the future in His hands.     web reviews   Joyce Handzo/2006 for curled up with a good kid's book   For grown-up fiction, nonfiction and speculative fiction book reviews, visit our sister site Curled Up With a Good Book (www.curledup.com)