THE ADVENTURES OF MICHAEL MACINNES

A rip-roaring, action-packed spin on the comic books and adventure stories of yore, this cinematic novel will entertain even the most cynical of young-adult readers. It’s 1924, and orphan Michael MacInnes arrives at a prestigious boy’s school to accomplish his most important goals: publish the poetry that he lives for and fall in love with a girl. Along the way, he meets some incredible characters who present challenges and obstacles to his success. Full of bravado, he represents the hero who doesn’t let the small stuff stand in his way, pursuing the girl of his dreams, in spite of his impoverished state, losing his virginity and standing up to the stereotypical bully. Michael is an enormously personable champion with all of the attributes that would make the audience cheer at his appearance on screen, and the story’s suspense and quick pace rests on his able shoulders. Certainly a marvelous candidate for the Guys Read website, and with lines like Michael’s, all this needs is Fred MacMurray to play the part. (Fiction. YA)