Planet Tigris has evolved a society with a unique and arresting set of checks and balances. The kids, you see, all have telekinetic powers: they can fly and move objects with their minds. So, to control and civilize them, the adults have imposed a ""hive"" system where the kids live communally and learn respect for authority: to qualify for educational benefits, the kids must behave themselves and perform useful work--or they'll wind up (after losing their powers at puberty) as uneducated drudges in adulthood. Unfortunately, however, Zahn turns this splendid notion into nothing more than a routine, kiddy-cops-and-baddies melodrama. Superscientist Matthew Jarvis abducts his own young son Colin in order to experiment with a drug that could extend the telekinetic power into adulthood. Detective Stanford Tirrell and his young psi-powered ""righthand"" Tonio are soon hot on the trail. (""Fagins""--child-stealers--are a major crime-problem on Tigris.) Complications are caused by evil fake guru Prophet Omega, a fagin who wants Jarvis' drug. . . and by young Lisa, who hopes to begin her education before she loses her powers. An intriguing, original idea that deserves better than the predictable, juvenile workout it gets here.