Book three of David’s Gift – coming in 2026.
It’s the autumn and, leaving one of their number behind in Wootton-on-Sea, David and his friends take their first nervous steps into their new lives at Graveldene High.
Will Mr. Benson, David’s eager new tutor, discover his secrets? Who is the enigmatic Professor Summers, who lurks like a spider in his mysterious basement lab? And why does David’s new English teacher, Mrs. Flint, seem to hate him so?
David’s stolen powers burn as brightly as ever, and he knows it’s just a matter of time until he will face his final battle, but first he must face his toughest challenge yet: surviving secondary school!
Meet the characters
DAVID ADAMS may have a ferocious alien energy coursing through his veins, but that doesn’t make it any easier to step through the doors of a new school for the first time. Then there are his powers: the stronger he gets, the harder they are to control, especially when he’s around Carrie…
CARRIE DUNMORE is ready for a new challenge after her summer by the sea and approaches secondary school with confidence. But when David falls under the spell of the professor in the basement, she’s wary. Why’s the professor so keen to make friends?
WILLIAM DAVIES is still the loyal best friend, the heart to Carrie’s mind and David’s power. He misses Felix and the time they all spent together by the sea, but he’s healed a lot since the loss of his father and is ready to move on with his life. However, sometimes fate has other plans…
Secondary school brings David back into contact with his old nemesis STEPHEN BAILEY, but something’s changed for Stephen since the battle at Beacon Hill in the spring. He seems quiet and withdrawn, and is often late for school. Even his old wingman James can’t reach him.
Graveldene High
A miserable, grey sort of school for a dreary, grey sort of town, Graveldene High seems to have walked right out of the 1970s. So why is there a mysterious, high-tech laboratory in the basement?
MR. BENSON, David’s new tutor, notices that David is different right away and sets out to discover why. David is on his guard at once, keen to protect his secrets before they can put his friends and his teacher in danger. But how long can he keep his powers hidden?
MRS. FLINT arrives at Graveldene High as the new head of English, full of tough talk about raising the falling standards at the school. For some reason, she seems to really hate David. Is it just because of the way he looks, or is it something deeper than that?
PROFESSOR SUMMERS lurks in the school basement, always willing to offer a sympathetic word and a mug of tea. He’s working on a cutting-edge communications network called the Prometheus Project, and is very keen for David to help him. But how much can one eleven-year-old boy really do…?
Connected thoughts
‘Carrie… can you hear me?’
‘David…?’
‘Hi, Carrie.’
‘David, this is amazing! It’s almost like you’re in the room with me. You’re really getting the hang of this!’
‘Where are you?’
‘In my BED, of course. It’s nearly ten o’clock!’
‘Sorry, did I wake you?’
‘Kinda, but… I really don’t mind.’
‘…’
‘David…? Are you still there?’
‘Yeah, I’m here! I… sorry.’
‘What did you want to talk about? You must have had a reason for, um… ‘calling’ me. I mean… is that what you just did? ‘Call’ me?’
‘…’
‘David…?’
‘Um… are you ready for the start of school tomorrow?’
‘Yes. Actually, I’m sort of looking forward to it. But you know that already, David. What’s this really about?’
‘Carrie, I…’
‘I think I hear Mum coming! I’m not supposed to have my light on this late. Sorry, David. We’ll have to talk tomorrow.’
Michael Wilberforce - Author 