Teen, Inc. is a pretty good, fun read. Not only because it takes a concept like Big Brother and gives it an updated, teen twist; but it’s also more than just that.

I know some people are going to look at this book and be like, “Big Brother? I thought we already went over this in ‘1984’ or ‘Brave New World.’ What are they going to use that hasn’t been used a million times before?”

I know this because, well, I sort of thought the same thing.

Written by Stefan Petrucha, it is a light read with a straightforward plot, conveyed in first person. Told from the point of view of Jaiden Beale, this way the reader gets strong insight into his personality.

The story revolves around 14-year-old Jaiden and his life as he tries to hide the fact that he’s being raised by a multimillion dollar firm, NECorp.

When Jaiden was just a baby, the company tragically killed his parents in a freak accident; NECorp decided to take action against protesters and “tree huggers” and legally adopted Jaiden.

The book opens in on Jaiden and his normal, well his trying to be normal lifestyle, as he goes to school at Deever High.

People at Jaiden’s high school are pretty much oblivious to his life as his claim to fame and, well, Jaiden likes it like that.

Jaiden is pretty much a regular kid at school instead of a case that needs care at NECorp. And Jaiden is joined by his best friend, David.

Despite the fact that everything about him outside of school is anything but normal, Jaiden has the one thing that makes him normal — his first time crush on his classmate, Jenny Tate.

The plot is pretty much, and, I hate to say this, but it’s pretty much predictable. Nothing happens for the sake of happening, but rather to further the plot so that in the book there’s no greater objective. Maybe it’s because this book is meant for younger teens and tweens, but this book wasn’t that interesting.

The plot thickens when he finds out Jenny’s father advocates against NECorp, saying the company that won all these EPA awards is actually poisoning the environment.

Jaiden discovers it’s true, and has to decide where his loyalties lie, to go with his friends or his “family”, and if a 14-year old stands a chance of standing up to Big Business.

In the end, everything works out for Jaiden and his friends and everyone’s happy.

Like I said — predictable.