He's a magic baby daddy. High school senior Gabe Delgado is trying to trade his bad-boy ways for clean living. He remembers nothing about the night a mysterious girl loved him and left him at a party, except . . . there was a kind of magic around her that had nothing to do with his hangover the next day. Now he finds that "magic" in a basket on his doorstep, cooing at him like a happy little bird.

Gabe, you probably already know our baby is, well, different. If not, you'll find out soon enough. Let's just say she has certain qualities most babies don't have. The thing is, I'm scared. I'm on my own and can't keep her safe. But you can. You're strong. You have a family to watch out for her. Bad people want her. That's why I left her with you. I don't really understand what's going on, but it has something to do with The Abolesco. Don't try to find me. Please, take care of our baby girl and love her. Okay?

The Abolesco are not friends of the family. They're on baby Birdie's trail, but why? Suddenly party-boy Gabe has to man up to protect his daughter. Not so easy when her talents include vanishing into thin air. It's up to Gabe and his girl-pal Abby-who has some extraordinary secrets of her own-to find out what's up with something called the Scientific Academy of Merit, what the goons want with Birdie, and whether other kids like Birdie can be saved, too.

Marilee Brothers is a former high school teacher turned full-time author. She married her college crush, and they have three sons. Marilee lives in Washington State, where she's hard at work on her next book.