SOLVED. The Adventures of Michael MacInnes — YA (?) novel set at a university/ prep school. Boy uses hot air balloon to visit girlfriend's bedroom, then leaves through her window. Set around 1930's? Browsed around 2008. [s]

[Dan]

At one point, there is something about a boy using a hot air balloon to fly across campus/town to visit his girlfriend's bedroom, and then he has to escape out the window to said balloon when the matron checks the room.

[Rainbowheart]

When did you read it?

Who is the main character, a boy at the school?

[Dan]

I skimmed the book in my high school library, so figure it was published in 2008 or earlier.

It seemed like an ensemble piece, that the boy, girl, and some of their friends were all main characters.

[Kris]

Dan, what is the story's time period and location?

I added a few details to the header/ topic title. Feel free to edit it.

[Dan]

I think it was set in the early to mid-twentieth century. 1930s, maybe? But I distinctly remember the girlfriend telling the dorm chaperone that nothing was wrong, while the boyfriend is clinging to a hot air balloon right outside!

[Tab]

Did the hot air balloon part happen at the beginning of the book?
Anything about the cover?
Part of a series?

[Dan]

I think it was the middle of the book. I remember nothing else.

[Kris]

Do you think it was set in England/UK, US, etc.?

[Dan]

US, I think.

[Rainbowheart]

If you think the characters could have been high school age, might want to check the Boarding School Stories list.

[Dan]

I'll take a look!

[Rainbowheart]

The Great Gatenby?

It's a coed boarding school and apparently there is a sex scene.

[Dan]

Doesn't seem to involve a hot air balloon, though it meets some of the other details, as you say.

[Rainbowheart]

Do you think it was more likely a university or a boarding school?

[Dan]

I'm leaning toward boarding school since there was a chaperone.

[Rainbowheart]

I hope we can find it!

Did it seem like a new book at the time?

[Dan]

I appreciate the effort y'all have put in! It seemed fairly new in the mid- to late 2000s. I'm sorry I don't remember more. I just remember the absurdity of that scene of the bf outside the window, trying to escape into a balloon, and he and his friends trying not to mask noise, while the gf inside tells the matron, "What do you think I am, some kind of tramp?"

[Rainbowheart]

The Adventures of Michael MacInnes

[Dan]

As Charlie Brown said, THAT'S IT!!!
Excellent detective work, Rainbowheart. Thank you. :)

[Rainbowheart]

You're welcome, glad to help out!