When Lightning Strikes (1-800-Where-R-You #1)

Reader reviewed by Alyssa

In my opinion, the 1-800-WHERE-R-YOU books are Meg Cabot's best. In the first novel, teenage Jess Mastriani is struck by lightning, giving her the ability to find missing children in her sleep. I. She's pretty much an outcast, a flutist who's totally in love with the one and only Rob Wilkins, a hot guy who she meets in detention and drags along on her 'idiotic vision quests.'


I'll admit that I only picked up this book because of the Princess Diaries. While reading it, I became totally engrossed in the story line and, well, addicted. When Lightning Strikes has something for everyone: romance (not much, granted), action, mystery, sci-fi...
After I finished, I bought the three other novels and become hooked on them as well. I've read them all multiple times and can never tire of them.

If you like When Lightning Strikes, I highly recommend reading all the other books in the series.

Reader reviewed by Nurin

Jess is a normal girl. Well except for the tom boy and detention stuff. Then her dream comes true. She gets to sit next to hot senior Rob. Life is going her way..that is until she gets hit by lightning and gets these psychic powers. It was her best friend, Ruth's fault and now Jess has to escape from the goverment, they want her to do their dirty work for them.....READ IT NOW!!

Reader reviewed by Battery

When Litghtning Strikes is a lovely book that I have read, oh, Four Million times? Yes, Four Million times. I love this book and Highly reccomend it to any teenage girl. It is witty, and origonal, and very Meg Cabot. ENJOY!!!!

Reader reviewed by linda

Usually when you get struck by lightning you end up dead, that's what Jess Mastriani thought when she got struck during a thunderstorm. She was fine and didn't worry until she started dreaming about the whereabouts of missing children. She uses her newfound powers to help but ends up hurting a kid who was better off missing. Then to make matters worse the FBI and the media find out about her, she decides to work with the FBI but when she realizes they are keeping her prisoner she escapes, rescues the boy she hurt, gets caught, and is rescued by her would-be boyfriend. In the end everything gets a little bit better and the rest of the series are just as good.

Reader reviewed by chick box

anyone that has read my reviews knows how much i love jenny carroll(aka:meg cabot)i LOVED this book!!! as always meg cabot does a smashing job!
when lightning strikes:
this is about a girl named jessica(jess). her friend ruth decides to walk home from school to get a work out.the thing is that it is going to rain. and as jess predicted it does and they are right in the middle of it. they decide to get under some bleachers.not a very good idea because jess gets struck by lightning, which makes her psychic.

Reader reviewed by Stella

In "When Lightning Stikes", a young girl named Jessica is struck by lighning and the power surging through her evokes a deeply hidden pychic power that Jessica didn't even know she possesed. Jessica can find any person anywhere in her dreams, after seeing their picture. But this fantasy comes to an end when the government takes an interest in Jessica's abilities and Jessica is faced with a difficult choice, help the government despite her moral qualms, or refuse and face the rath of one the most powerful institutions in the world.

An exciting storyline with a very likeable and relatable main character, When Lightning Strikes is a great read!

Reader reviewed by Lyssa

unfortunately this is the end.

The last book in the series. Too bad that it didn't tie up all the loose ends. Although i heard the Meg Cabot's new publisher is letting write one more to officially end the series and it will be set with Jess in college..Who knows?

Well at least this was an amazing book..terribly sad that it's all over now though.

Reader reviewed by Grace

When tough-girl Jessica Mastriani gets struck by lightning during a thunderstorm, her life changes forever. She now has a star-shaped scar on her chest, and can somehow locate missing people. But when the FBI learns about this, they take her to an army base for testing, why are they really having for find missing people?

When Lightning Strikes is a suspenseful read that all Meg Cabot fans should read.

Reader reviewed by Ruby



"I blame Ruth" I would to, when your best friend wants to take a walk when a storm is about to come just because a bully called you fat. Ruth insists that they take a walk. BUt when the lightning comes and there only place to hide is under a metal bleacher, as we all know that is the worst thing to do. When Ruth and Jess argue, and Jess decides to stand back, she gets struck by lightning, and Ruth freaks out. Ruth says that they go see a doctor and that it was all her fault, but Jess says it isn't, but of course she would change her mind when she finds missing children, and the FEDs are after her.

Reader reviewed by gcrocker08

Meg Cabot's "1-800-Where-R-You" series has been one of the better series I have read by her! Witty and brilliant, this should be read by every teen girl out there!

Jessica Mastriani, a bold, witty teen decides to walk the 2 mile distance home after school with her friend, only to walk into a large thunderstorm.

Jessica then gets struck by lightning, and acquires these special powers. These powers give her insight on where missing people are.

I loved this series, and any teen will! I recommend this series to anyone and everyone.