The Book of Michael

By Lesley Choyce

Michael Grove was sixteen years old when he was convicted for the murder of Lisa Conroy, the girlfriend he loved very much. The circumstances surrounding her final hours attract considerable media attention, especially because Michael and Lisa had sex just prior to her death. A public outcry against light penalties for young offenders ensures Michael is tried as an adult; he receives a harsh and severe penalty. Six months into his imprisonment, the true murderer confesses. Michael is released but quickly finds that the stigma of imprisonment and the (wrongful) rap for murder is not an easy thing to escape out on the streets.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0889954178
• ISBN13: 9780889954175
• Release Date: June 2008
• Publisher: Red Deer Press
• Length: 224 Pages
• Weight: 0.66 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.3" x 7.4"
• Age Range: 14 to 18 years
• Grade Range: Grade 9 to Postsecondary

Customer Reviews

Touching

The story of a young man who is judged and sentenced partly based on "assumptions and judgement" is a touching and scary story. Lesley Choyce chooses to write about a subject that is not often mentioned but makes for compelling reading. Indeed, Michael is young and looking for trouble - he meets Lisa and they begin a relationship - yet, how could such a relationship, with two such people survive? - it doesn't and Lisa ends up dead. Michael is the naturally accused, especially since he and Lisa had sex (of god!) prior to the murder. Michael gets sentenced and six months later, the real killer confesses. This novel has so many different aspects going for it at the same time that I wasn't sure where to start. First of, I love the way Choyce does not make Michael out to be some kind of "poor little me'. We are actually privy to Michael's thoughts for most of the book, including at the beginning where he knows exactly (in my opinion) what he is getting into with Lisa. Michael WAS looking for trouble and found it. Another aspect of this novel that I loved is the fact that Michael is primarly condemned because he was having sex with the victim!!!! There is an interesting sub-text about society and preconceived judgements here! Finally, I really enjoyed the second part of the book where Michael is now released from prison and finds that although he is out of jail, he is still somehow locked up by again, the stigma of preconceived ideas from society in general. This is an extremely thought provoking book and I loved it. No fluff here.

An incredible story

Reviewed by Neha Kashmiri (age 14) for Reader Views (8/08) "The Book of Michael" by Lesley Choyce is an incredible story. I don't usually put my opinion of the book until the very end but this book was just amazing. Sixteen-year-old Michael Grove served half a year at the Severton Correctional Institution. He was convicted of the murder of Lisa Conroy, the girlfriend he loved very much. After that half-year, the real murderer confesses. Michael is released but very much emotionally damaged. He soon finds out that even a wrongful rap for murder is a hard thing to escape from. Michael slowly, slowly returns back to a not-so-normal life after finding it impossible to hide. Returning to life isn't as hard as he thinks though. He finds some unlikely friends who help him hide from the press and stares and give him advice; then as quickly as peace comes to his life it is shattered by a single letter -- a letter from the real murderer begging for help. Michael finds it hard to ignore and just as quickly as some of his friendships are formed they are lost. But these are his choices. "The Book of Michael" is so much more than I expected. I thought Michael would be either too whiny or so tough he'd be annoying. But he really and truly isn't either. You never really see the ending coming and it's not what you want from him. But it's his choice. The book has many quotes from the "I Ching" and many other philosophic quotes made by his cynical grandmother. As Michael reflects on the events leading up to his imprisonment, his voice is truthful and serious. Lesley Choyce is an author who has a writing style which is realistic and original. He is definitely an author I'll read in the future.

Gripping tale

Sixteen-year-old Michael Grove is accused of raping and murdering his girlfriend. The courts decide to try him as an adult and he's sent to prison until the real murderer confesses. But once Michael is out of jail he finds the stigma follows him. Neighbors glare at him with hatred. Michael needs to be able to live again. What he ends up doing will surprise you. I know it did me. This book had me on the first page. I couldn't put it down. The author does a great job showing us how painful it must be to be falsely accused of a horrible crime and then how the stigma follows you, even after the truth comes out.