The Twelfth of June

Boarding schools and summer camps are the core of wealthy, orphaned Dilly's life. The fact that his hands exude a magnetic force distances him from other kids, because he once promised his father he would keep this power a secret. Dilly is happy when his legal guardian moves him to a small town. He soon has a bicycle, a dog and four new friends, including Dr. Mary MacEvoy, who knows his secret and wants him to develop his power. Meanwhile, a mad scientist plots to kidnap Dilly. His organization wants to take over the world via a super-computer, and they need Dilly. Dilly's friends rescue him; he becomes a hero when he uses his magnetism to erase data from the computer. Loose ends about the identities of the kidnappers remain, but Haas's technique of building suspense by not revealing too much is successful, resulting in an exciting story. (10-12)