Ratings

Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content

Guide to Rating System

LANGUAGE

VIOLENCE

SEXUAL CONTENT

ADULT THEMES

Ratings Explanation

Language:  There is mention of someone shouting swear words but none were used. Crude words such as “sucks” and “monkey butt” were used once each.

Violence: Some boys lock Michael in his locker. A boy was “pantsed” with the result of having to run home naked. Michael is beaten up by three boys. He “zaps” them in defense. He has been stuffed and rolled in a garbage can. Michael is bullied by another boy, and uses electricity to stop him. A mother and son are held at gunpoint. A plane crash is caused deliberately. Zapping with electricity is used as a weapon. Two people are kidnapped. A girl uses her abilities to cause others torturous pain. Someone deliberately causes a motorcycle rider to crash. Electricity is used to hurt others. Prisoners are made to wear shock collars. Weapons such as guns, knives, and grenades are used in an escape attempt.

Sexual Content: Ostin thinks Michael’s mom is “hot”. A girl is ordered to undress to her underwear by a doctor. A girl kisses a boy on the cheek. A boy and girl kiss.

Adult Themes: A boy has Tourrette’s syndrome. A child’s father died of a heart attack. A boy smokes a cigarette. A girl is dishonest during a basketball game. Some babies die in a hospital. A girl is tempted with nice things, but expected to hurt someone in return. Family members are discovered. People are placed in prison. Some people have the ability to torture or control others. Some kids go on a road trip without parental approval. Fifteen-year-olds drink champagne. There is mention of a boy’s brother being in prison for drugs and robbery which included a man being shot in the attempt. His parents fought a lot, and the mother left the home. Another boy’s parents were alcoholics. He was abused, and then put in a foster home. He now lives with his grandmother, but she doesn’t want him. A fifteen year old buys beer for a man. He drinks the beer. A van is “hotwired” and stolen. Humans are used as guinea pigs for testing. A boy is told he must kill someone or a person he loves will be tortured.

Synopsis

High school freshman Michael Vey seems to be an average kid living in Idaho, but he has a secret he can’t share with anyone, a secret that has to do with electricity. He soon discovers that there is someone out there coming after him, and in the process they kidnap his mother. As Michael’s story unfolds, he finds out just how special and extraordinary his electrical powers are as he and his friends must find a way to save her as well as themselves.

This was a great book and very exciting! The humor was fun. I like the way the author portrayed Michael as having Tourrette’s syndrome. It was very believable and made his character even more interesting. There were also some good quotes such as this one from Michael, “I learned that harboring an emotion as powerful as gratitude has a power of its own”. I look forward to Book 2, Michael Vey Rise of the Elgen. I would recommend this book for grades 7^th and up.