Let’s face it: much as we wish we could all hear Hagrid exclaim, “You’re a wizard!”, and then be whisked away to Hogwarts, that…just might not happen for everyone. But let’s not sell ourselves short! Everyone has super powers–they’re just not always magical. Read on for some non-magical abilities from our favorite YA characters.

Scarlett Epstein from Scarlett Epstein Hates It Here by Anna Breslaw: The Storyteller

Scarlett is an incredible storyteller–she’s hilarious and sarcastic, wielding the power of words like a freakin’ Sword of Truth. When mean girls/boys threaten, Scarlett is the wordsmith we want on our side for sure. Nobody can come up with a great comeback like she can. And her fanfic based on her classmates sure keeps us entertained.

Solomon from Highly Illogical Behavior by John Corey Whaley: The Ultimate Fanboy

Solomon’s an agoraphobe who hasn’t left his house in three years – but that doesn’t mean he hasn’t been busy. As a superfan of Star Trek: The Next Generation, he’s seen every good episode at least 9 times, and every not-so-good episode 3 times or more, depending on how not-so-good it was. He even built his own Star Trek-inspired holodeck in the garage, and eventually, it’s Star Trek that might help him leave the house when he most needs to.

Jude and Noah from I’ll Give You The Sun by Jandy Nelson: The Artists

Apart from being twins, Jude and Noah are both artists. Unfortunately, that’s all they seem to have in common these days. But while they’re busy avoiding each other, they’re pouring their hearts and souls into their art, and maybe–just maybe–someday it will bring them back together.

Q, Radar and Ben from Paper Towns by John Green: The Road Trip Wizards

If we ever need to go on a crazy, last-minute, high-stakes road trip, we’re definitely bringing these guys along. They’ll get us where we need to go, and they’ll take us on a pretty wild adventure while they’re at it. It might not always be elegant (or technically legal), but you know it’s going to be fun.

Jude from Pasadena by Sherri L. Smith: The Investigator

When Jude’s best friend is found dead in her swimming pool, everyone says it’s an accident. But Jude knows it’s murder. And she’s going to make someone pay. Jude is going to get to the truth no matter what–even if it means exposing her own secrets–and that’s why we love her. You can’t keep her down, and you better not count her out. Pasadena comes out September 13th!

Mercy from Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee: The Get-It-Done Girl

The odds are stacked against Mercy, raised in poverty in San Francisco’s Chinatown at the turn of the twentieth century, but does she let that stop her? Hell no! With a mix of cunning and a little bribery, Mercy gains admittance to an exclusive, all-white girls’ school, determined to get the opportunities she needs. As for how she puts her skills to use after the 1906 earthquake devastates the city…well, you’re going to have to read to find out. Outrun the Moon comes out May 24th!

Henry from Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland: The Love Deflector

Henry Page has never been in love. With his shields powered up, he doesn’t have to deal with the can’t-eat-can’t-sleep disaster that some loves (especially the unrequited ones) can be. It lets him focus on getting into college, spending time with his best friends, and finally–finally–making editor of the school paper. But…every Superman has his kryptonite. Can Henry’s romance resistance protect his heart from Grace Town? You’ll find out when Our Chemical Hearts comes out October 4th!

Preorder your copy of Our Chemical Hearts here!

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