Gr 9 Up-This may not be the first tale of a group of crime-fighting teenagers with supernatural powers, but its talented writing team get points for creating some fresh and original superpowerd abilities. Scam has a seemingly omniscient inner voice, which can speak for him and get him out of trouble or, all too often, into it. Flicker is blind but can perceive what others see. Crash can take down any computer and finds the experience embarrassingly—and dangerously—enjoyable. Bellwether can control the energies of the group and unite them in a common purpose. And Anonymous—well, never mind, no one seems to remember anything about that guy. These five, plus one unpredictable new addition, make up the Zeroes, a team that split up due to infighting but get called back together to fight a baddie and come to terms with their talents and their place in the world. Told from six different points of view, the plot of this hefty tome slows down at times, but the effort taken to develop each character pays off. With two sequels planned, readers can look forward to spending more time with the Zeroes in the future. VERDICT For fans of superhero fiction looking for a character-driven tale and those who enjoy stellar writing.— Eliza Langhans, Hatfield Public Library, MA

Science fiction powerhouse writers Westerfeld, Lanagan, and Biancotti join forces to create a group of teen superheroes living in Cambria, California. Socially awkward misfits, the six protagonists have powers ranging from crowd control, the ability to crash computer systems, a voice that can talk anybody into anything, and more. "Glorious Leader" Nate uses his powers of persuasion to reunite the group after a disastrous rant by Ethan (code name Scam) in which he alienates every member. They succeed in rescuing Scam from police questioning and acquire a sixth member in the process. There is a comfortably predictable flow to the cinematic, nonstop action; the multiple and intersecting story lines; and the archetypal characters. These heroes see themselves as zeroes, but by the story's end, they have realized their powers are in fact valuable gifts, formed alliances and romances within the group, and seem poised for more adventures. It's a fat but quick read, with an abrupt ending that will leave fans ready for a sequel.HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Westerfeld's name alone draws a crowd, following the success of his Uglies series, Leviathan series, and Afterworlds (2014). Add Printz Honor Book author Lanagan, Biancotti, and a major marketing campaign to the mix, and this collaboration will fly off the shelf.

Each of the five teens in "the Zeroes" has a supernatural ability. When Ethan ("Scam") gets himself into trouble, the others jail-break him, crossing paths with another gifted teen, Kelsie. At five-hundred-plus pages, with six main characters to follow, this series-opener occasionally struggles to maintain its pace, but there's plenty of time to flesh out the teens' motivations and unusual abilities.