Michael Vey: The Prisoner of Cell 25

I loved this new book by Richard Paul Evans. As I read his bio on the inside back cover I found it interesting that he also wrote The Christmas Box. The two books are nothing alike!

Michael Vey is the main character. Fourteen years ago he was born in a Pasadena Hospital as were many other children. Mysteriously many of the babies died, but seventeen survived with special powers. Michaelhas an electric power. He can "surge" electricity from his body. The "doctors" in charge of the research project have hunted down all these kids. They want to harness their power to control the world.

Evil prevails. Michael's mom is kidnapped to lure him to the facility. A showdown between the kids and "Hatch" prevails. The books leaves you hanging. I guess I'll have to wait for the sequel to see what will happen:(

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

Did you read the book, Before I Die? Jenny Downham is also the author of that book.

Mikey's younger sister, Karyn, claims to have been raped by Ellie's older brother, Tom. Mikey and Ellie meet....Mikey for the purpose of getting revenge for his sister. Neither of them intended to start a relationship with each other, but that is exactly what happens. It's complicated. Adding to the confusion Ellie supplies a written statement to the police stating that her brother didn't do anything wrong. It's definitely "he said/she said".

In some ways the book reminded me of Romeo and Juliet. Ellie is from a wealthy family and Mikey's family struggles to make ends meet. Read the book and see the outcome.

Trapped by Michael Northrop

The cover of this book reminds me of what January in Wisconsin should look like. Tattawa High School is pictured amid falling flakes of snow and huge drifts. This January looks more like November --- no snow here.

The day the blizzard started school was released early. After school events were canceled. Somehow seven kids ended up left at school. Pete and Jason were going to work on a shop project. Others were waiting for rides that never came. A teacher went for help and never returns. Cell phones stop working. Slowly the students realize they are going to spend the night in school.

No one ever expected the blizzard to last a week. The power goes out, there is no heat and they have to scavenge for food in the school cafeteria. The weight of the snow collapses part of the roof. Read the book and see what happens to Scotty and the rest of the kids.

Vacation Reading!

Wow.....I did lots and lots of reading over break.....now to get busy and write about it!

The Prize Winner of Defiance, Ohio is a true story written by Terry Ryan about her mother. I find it interesting that the subtitle is: How my mother raised 10 kids on 25 words or less.

Terry, the author, really did grow up with 9 other brothers and sisters! She lived in the average size town of Defiance during the 1950's and 1960's. Her father was an alcoholic who never brought home much of a paycheck that he didn't drink up first. The only way that mom could feed everyone was by using her gift of writing. Mom, Evelyn, entered all kinds of "jingle-writing" contests to try and her money or prizes to keep her family fed and clothed. And.....she was very successful. I chuckled when I read the chapter where Evelyn won a 10 minute shopping spree in a grocery store. I laughed at the idea of her "prize closet". Evelyn has a positive spirit that is hard to put down.

In 2005 this memoir was adapted into a movie.