Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 (Book 1) Paperback – July 10, 2012

I came across this book when my child brought it home. It caught my attention as the main character has Tourettes which is often misunderstood. I decided to read it also. I appreciated a book that included a main character with neurodiversity as well as his best friend Ostin who is gifted. The plot moves along quickly and kept my fourth grader fully engaged as well as myself. We read the book separately but discussed several issues throughout such as friendships, building trust, the meaning of integrity as well as how the leader used things like money, trips and allowing kids to drink or feel more grown up as manipulations. The relationships are very PG and involve flirting, a few references to a girl/woman looking like a babe and a kiss.I had my 9 year old write his review, “The story of Michael Vey is about a 14 year old who has Tourette’s Syndrome. I think that it is good that the story puts a focus on someone with this. It feels good to see differences represented in characters in good stories. In the book, Michael and Taylor are taken to a prestigious school in California. Dr. Hatch is the head of the this school. We learn there are more kids like Taylor and Michael at the school. What makes them special is their super powers. With the help of his very smart best friend, will they be able to save his mom who has been kidnapped and help the others to find the truth? I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys fiction. The story was so good, I couldn’t put the book down!”Outside of the storyline, it was a great opportunity to discuss Tourette’s Syndrome as well as what tics are, and any misconceptions about them. It was a great discussion about neurodiversity and how everyone has different strengths and struggles - some more visible than others and how we can create space for others and be accepting.

Having just read this book by Richard Paul Evans, I must say that he spins a great story for young readers, and it runs well. The vocabulary is basic as you would expect. Its beginning chapters are centered on the fictional Meridian High School somewhere in the state of Idaho. The story does not have a final ending with a second volume in the series being planned.Even though I am a senior citizen, I purchased and read this book because it is recommended and advertised by Glenn Beck on his new show Glenn Beck TV. Glenn was so impressed by this title that he and his company bought the rights to this book. Glenn strives to provide positive role models for young people to emulate--not the popular Hollywood kind. This book does just that.The story is about a committee of sinister persons who seek world domination by harnessing the powers of a very select group of uniquely gifted children with special electrical abilities. Now teenagers, all were born within a few days of each other. Over time they are all located, captured and brought to the Elgen Academy and under the control of Doctor Hatch--Michael Vey and Taylor Ridley (the main characters) being the last to arrive. Three die early on from cancer. Some of the remaining specially gifted teenagers--long time academy residents--submit to his complete control and receive fabulous rewards and special treatment for their loyalty to him. The operational control factors used to keep them in line are fear of extreme punishment and the removal of all expense paid shopping trips, travels to exotic locations, and other privileges. Four of the earlier arrived gifted who were consistently intransigent and "unrepentant," and who refused to use their powers to perform evil acts demanded by Doctor Hatch, were cast away in a dark cell deep within the bowels of the academy.The recent capture of Michael Vey, Taylor Rigley, three of Michael's friends, and Michael's mother (held at another undisclosed location) makes for a dramatic confrontation between good and evil. Taylor and Michael (our main characters), at different points in the story, are commanded by Doctor Hatch to perform certain acts of loyalty to him. At one event Taylor submits to the his request (causing only embarrassment for a performing singer) but refuses to submit to a second request from Doctor Hatch at another event which would bring serious injury or possibly death to a stuntman. Her evil twin sister, also in attendance at the stunt show and a long time resident of the academy having the same power, causes the accident. But Hatch knows that power did not flow from Taylor and recognized the cover up. Michael's ultimate test was to electrocute two of his friends to save his mother's life which he refused. Both Taylor and Michael suffered severe punishment, Michael more so in Cell 25 Ultimately, all the victimized characters carry out a plan of escape taking also with them those held as GPs (experimental guinea pigs). During the engagement one of the intransigents is "cured" of his falsely indoctrinated guilt--a lie implanted in him by Hatch--changes sides and fights with Michael, Taylor, and the rest. The story ends with the doctor and his teenage disciples escaping from the roof by helicopter and Michael's mother (still alive) remaining to be rescued.Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 gives positive inspiration to a young audience: of doing the right thing and not performing wrongful acts to gain fame and fortune; of setting a positive example for others to emulate by acting courageously and righteously; of not submitting to fear but standing up for the truth; of changing the course of history for the better. Readers who enjoy this novel will likely read the next volumn in the series when it is published.

Finally, a book for and about teens where smut, foul language and over-the-top violence are nowhere to be found; nor are they needed to make this story more exciting. Don't get me wrong ... the story is not corny or sugary sweet. There are some tense moments, which DO add to the stories excitement. The characters are not reminiscent of "Leave it to Beaver," ... golly gee whiz Mrs. Cleaver. It is fresh and modern using the vernacular of today's teens, sans filthy language. My son, like Michael Vey, has Tourettes. I greatly appreciate Mr. Evans bringing an awareness to this disorder via his main character. We are all different in some way. Tourette's is just a challenge in life some people have to face but that does not mean they are freaks or should be shunned. It makes their lives no less precious than those of us who are fortunate enough not to have such challenges. I love a book that teaches teens it is OK to be different and that we should accept all differences in others. Michael Vey and his friends are proof that most teens are good and decent and they are capable of making the right choice. As a parent, it gives me hope that the world will be ok in the hands of future generations afterall. We often hear about the bad things teens do, the wrong choices they make. Although this is a work of fiction, the author is also a parent as are many of us who have read this. We know there are more teens out there making good choices than there are those who choose to do wrong. Mr. Evans gives our teens a fantastic role model through his character Michael Vey and through Michael's friends. He wrote this for teens, not as a way to preach to them, but in order to give them another option for their reading enjoyment. Teens don't have to walk on the dark side. Michael and his friends are certainly shining examples of kids choosing to make the right choice. And Richard Paul Evans shows us all that vulgarity, sex and violence are not synonymous with enjoyable and exciting literature for teens and adults. I highly recommend this book for people of all ages.