White Cat by Holly Black

Cassel is the youngest member of a family of curse workers - people who can change your luck, your emotions or your memories with the touch of their bare hands. Curse working is illegal in the United States and so he comes from a family of criminals, but Cassel has no powers of his own. I was hooked from the opening scene: Cassel wakes up one night on the steep, dangerous roof of his private school. Has he been sleepwalking, or is someone trying to kill him?

Taut with twists and double-crosses, this will appeal to readers in Grade 8 and up looking for intelligent thrillers or urban fantasy.