Under the heading of current reads, at least as of last Friday afternoon, is The Adventures of Michael MacInnes by first time author Jeff Carney (take a look at the journal on his website). It's not often that I am drawn to a book by its cover art; all too often the artistic rendition of the novel does not represent the book, but the publishers version of the book. When selecting a book to read I check the flaps and then open it to the middle and read a chapter. Picking and choosing from the numerous books ordered for the juvenile collection in the library is generally win-win since every purchase has an accompanying professional review. Yes, I know, a review is essentially someone's opinion and not a guarantee that I will "like" the book in question. But I was drawn to the almost graphic novel/comic book cover of this title and, in my humble opinion; it adds the right touch to this coming of age novel set at an all boy's boarding school in the 1920's.Michael McInnis and Roger Legrande meet on the train ride to school. The boys strike up an interesting friendship not necessarily based on like personalities, the boys could not be any different, but the similarities are enough for them bond; both are dreading the new school, both are loners in their own right, and both have secrets of their own. Michael is a self proclaimed poet who has grown up in a series of orphanages. Roger has a scientific mind and is struggling with his sexuality. As with any all boys prep school, there are cliques, bullies, hazing, drinking (during the prohibition), sex, and girls.
This book takes readers through a short time in Michael and Roger's lives, and a time in history that is full of change. Carney's dialogue is realistic and he does not sugar coat issues faced by the characters. I am not so sure about the tag of historical fiction, but about half way through, I'm finding it an easy and compelling read.
Tags: Jeff Carney, The Adventures of Michael MacInnes, Young adult fiction, YA books
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