As the scene opens, 12 yr. old Ben is, yet again, the new kid at school being picked on in the cafeteria by a bully. When suddenly, the cafeteria table just folds up on itself without any help from people. Peter, a ‘loner’ ushers Ben away from the bully and the cafeteria.

After school, Ben’s mother has an invitation for Ben to join an after school Science Camp at the college where she is working. Ben soon finds out Peter is at the science camp, so Ben knows one person already. Dr. Hughes leads the camp which deals with quantum mechanics. ”  ‘Quantum mechanics inform our understanding and predictions for many things. Every natural process, whether chemical, or biological or astronomical, ultimately comes back to quantum physics…’  “ ( p. 16) From Dr. Hughes’ introduction, Ben soon finds himself being able to pull atoms and molecules together from the air to produce fireballs, rain clouds, snow, and ice in a process called actuation (much like in the movie The Sorcerer’s Apprentice with Nicholas Gage).  Ben is excelling at Science Camp! But then , Dr. Hughes and her equipment are kidnapped. Ben and Peter are taken to help the ‘good guys’ of Quantum League. But Ben is not a willing participant, especially after he’s told they have wiped him from the memories of all those who have known him – including his mother!

The ‘Old One’ (who leads the Quantum League) persuades Ben to help recover Dr. Hughes, by telling Ben they will restore his mother’s memory of him. Ben will become a double agent, no a triple agent, all for the cause of ultimate good over evil. Little by little Ben unravels the truth of how both sides are lying to him to accomplish their goals. Once Dr. Hughes is safe, Ben makes the decision to leave the League, to exile himself until he finds a way to reattach himself in his mother’s memory.

Fast paced, well told,  full of action, twists and turns,  and thought provoking characters.