Memory Maze by Gordon Korman

In this sequel to The Hypnotists, Jax has relocated with his family in Connecticut.  They have taken on new names, and his parents are attempting, none too successfully, to take on new careers in an attempt to avoid the evil Dr. Mako.  Jax is having a hard time fitting in at school because he has to act strangely to keep from hypnotizing people.  He wears dark glasses all the time and never looks anyone in the eyes.  Despite his best efforts his hypnotic power still influences people and he ends up winning the school chess competition.  This leads him to competitions on the district and state level, and brings him to the attention of an elderly tycoon who figures out Jax's real identity.  The tycoon hires Jax to put him into a deep hypnotic state in an effort to slow the advance of the old man's fatal disease and promises to pay him handsomely.  As Jax starts creating daily extended hypnotic connections with the man, Jax starts to experience his memories. There is more in the man's head than Jax had bargained for and soon Jax is struggling to maintain his own sanity. This book further explores the personalities of each of the main characters and adds a psychological element to the plot.  There are more interesting moral questions and lots of exciting action.  The book ends with a new twist, and now I am eager for book three (which isn't out yet, rats!).(234 p)