Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25 by Richard Paul Evans

Reviewed by Lori
Prisoner Of Cell 25
Title: Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

Series: Michael Vey

Author: Richard Paul Evans

Perma-Bound Catalogue #: 57580

Description: Michael Vey, a fourteen-year-old who has Tourette's syndrome and special electric powers, finds there are others like him, and must rely on his powers to save himself and the others from a diabolical group seeking to control them.

Rubric Rating: Level 4 - Love It!

Why I Read It: This book was recommended to me by a co-worker.  The cover looked very interesting too.  Although, at first glance I thought it might be a more sci-fi oriented title  He looks like he's on a space ship to me.  Nope, he's not.  That's the prison cell.

Lori's Notes:  Michael has always been a little bit different.  Dealing with his Tourette's Syndrome and constantly moving form city to city has made life hard for Michael.  He has a good friend in Ostin who is exceptionally smart, funny and lives in the same apartment building, but Michael is constantly being bullied by Jack and his friends at school.  Until one day Michael snaps - literally.  Turns out Michael can control electricity with his body. This power makes him of special interest to Dr. Hatch and the Elgen, a group attempting to recruit kids like Michael for their powers.  To draw Michael to them, his mother is kidnapped by their organization.  Michael, Ostin, Jack and Taylor - a kindred electric child who was born in the same hospital as Michael who can "reboot" people's emotions, travel to Pasadena to rescue Michael's mom.  At the Elgen facility Michael meets other teens like himself - each having his or her own special electrical power.  Some of the kids help Michael, but other have become power hungry and like the respect given them by Dr. Hatch.  Michael must make a decision as to what type of person he will be.  A really fantastic and engaging read, the best part for me was actually the transformation of Jack's character - from the school bully to one of Michael's defenders.   Once given a purpose, he becomes a highly likeable character.  Short chapters keep the pace moving, and the novel finishes well but is left open for the sequel.  A good read!

Recommended Readers: Grade 6 and up.  Boys in particular and anyone living with Tourette's will find Michael a great character.

Themes: Special Powers, Friendship, Coming-of-Age, Big Brother, Bullying, Tourette's Syndrome, Electricity, Prisoners, Teenagers.

Cross-Genre Links: 
Documentary: I have Tourette's but Tourette's Doesn't have Me.  (2005)
Movie: Chronicle (2012)
Music: Electricity performed by Elton John

Post-Reading Discussion Questions and Activities: 

  • How does Michael get his powers? 
  • Have a class discussion about Tourette's Syndrome.  What is it? How does it affect Michael?  Do you have Tourette's syndrome?  What is it like?  Do you know someone with Tourette's?  
  • Compare having a special power to having a disability.  How is it the same and how is it different?  Look at factors like isolation, peer pressure, friendship, and family.
  • Jack's character goes through a radical transformation moving from a bully to a protector.  Why do you think he changes?
  • If you could have a special power what would it be and why?

Other Books in the Michael Vey Trilogy:

Book 2: Rise of the Elgen
Book 3: Battle of the Ampere

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