Six

After 12-year-old Parker Banks’s scientist father is kidnapped, it’s up to Parker, his deaf younger sister Emma, and their friend Michael to track him down. As the three children peel back the layers of the mystery, they find a massive conspiracy. Who is the person posting online as Anteater, and how does he or she know so much? Why is the enigmatic Solomon Gladstone in a mental institution under a false name? And what is project SIX? Luckily, Parker and Emma have a secret of their own: the ability to communicate telepathically through their father’s technology. Vaughan (The Ability) puts an intriguing spin on the classic SF conceits of teleportation and telepathy, providing a plausible way for these young heroes to face off against an all-powerful corporation. The open-ended conclusion leaves room for further exploration of a concept that is full of potential, and Vaughan’s considered portrayal of 10-year-old Emma, who doesn’t let her deafness slow her down in the least, is particularly well done. Ages 8–12. Agent: Tina Wexler, ICM. (May)