Happy Birthday, Hero!

By Zoe Quinn

Rating: 3 1/2 stars

Reviewed by Noelle

This is the beginning of a new series called The Caped 6th Grader. Zoe loves the comic book adventures of Lightning Girl, has a crush on the very cute Josh Devlin, and likes being a social activist like her mom. But on her 12th birthday, Zoe has a big surprise. She develops super powers like superstrength and superspeed! Her grandfather, a retired superhero, gives Zoe the news that becoming a superhero is a genetic trait that can skip generations. Superheroes have to follow a strict pledge and become trained and can never ever tell non-supers (like her parents and best friend) that they are superheroes. In this first installment, Zoe discovers her powers and begins training with her grandfather. She isn't allowed to use her powers until the Superhero Federation gives her permission. But how can she not use them when duty calls? Zoe manages to save her friends from a falling light at the dress rehearsal of the school musical and gets away with it. Is it her imagination, or did the new girl Caitlin have something to do with it? With a jewel thief nicknamed the Slink around town, it looks like Zoe may have some detective work to do! But that will have to wait for further books. Readers might be frustrated by how little really happens in this first book, but it should whet the appetite for more! A fun, light read.