(4) 4-6 Loner Danny forges an unlikely friendship with awkward yet popular Eric. After Danny discovers his new friend is actually an android, the boys seek the truth behind Eric's creation. Alternating between Danny's and Eric's perspectives, this sci-fi mystery explores the possible "humanity" of robots and criticizes rampant consumer culture. Despite a one-dimensional villain and flat supporting characters, the compelling central friendship drives this story.

Reviewer: Russell Perry

(4) 4-6 When Parker and Emma's father disappears, they join forces with Michael, a wealthy kid-genius, to outwit an international conspiracy. Their success, however, leaves them trapped in a utopian colony designed to enable the well-positioned to escape environmental disaster. Although the adults in the novel are mostly just helpful props, the adventure's fast pace will keep readers entertained until the sequel-begging conclusion.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(4) 4-6 Ability series. Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. After accidentally killing another boy in The Ability, telekinetic twelve-year-old Chris returns to Myers Holt Academy and struggles with guilt, revenge, forgiveness, and friendship. Vaughan's unique integration of conventions drawn from school stories, detective stories, and magical fantasies enables a clever and appealing world, but a tendency toward lightning-quick character transformations leads to some unconvincingly tidy resolutions in this sequel.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac

(3) 4-6 Illustrated by Iacopo Bruno. School is abysmal and home is worse for twelve-year-old Chris Lane. Then he wins entrance to a special British-government-run school. Located deep underground, the fantastically appointed school helps Chris and his classmates hone abilities like telekinesis and telepathy, which peak during a person's thirteenth year. This thoughtful novel's plot pivots on saving the prime minister's life, but further adventures are promised.

Reviewer: Megan Lynn Isaac