The Bachelors

Deborah Dowson is a Canadian children’s librarian living in Powell,
Ohio.

Jeffrey invites two friends from karate class to stay at his house for a
few days to help take care of his grandfather. His mother is staying
with his grandmother at the hospital while she has surgery. Almost
immediately Jeffrey regrets his decision. Charlie has stolen a bag full
of X-rated videos from his father’s closet, and Sidney is on the run
from a man he has just punched in the face. It seems that these
exasperating houseguests are just going to make life even more difficult
for Jeffrey. Yet, despite the endless comic banter, heart-stopping
mix-ups, and misunderstandings, the friends begin to bond, and to take
care of Jeffrey’s grandfather as well as each other.

The genius in this novel is in how everyday events unfold in the most
hilarious way. The exasperating communication failures, exaggerated
characters, and silly situations make for a plot that is continually
surprising and often ridiculous. Though the main characters attempt to
be responsible and to take life seriously, nothing works out as planned,
but happily everything does work out in the end. This book has the
perfect style of humor to be appreciated by preteen—and older—males.
Recommended.