Oh dear! I loved that book as a kid -- at age twelve or so, I remember spending ages staring at pencils and things in a desperate hope that I might manifest telekinesis, and this book is one of several to blame for that -- but I haven't read it since. It's a shame to hear it doesn't hold up all that well.

Mind you, I suspect "psychic orphans on the run" hits enough of my narrative kinks that I'd still enjoy a reread, but it's nice when one's not reading in spite of the prose.

I at one point read a novelization of the movie sequel, without realizing that it wasn't in fact by Alexander Key, and was vastly disappointed by the downturn in quality. Tia can speak now! There are evil doctors! And a psychic goat! And hijinks with a telekinesis-powered schoolbus full of Tia's pet truants! I kind of think I'd find it awesomely cracktastic now.