How I Paid for College

Marc Acito's 'How I Paid for College' is a witty, intelligent novel that any high school or college student will enjoy.

'How I Paid for College' takes places in the 1980s and tells the story of a talented, but careless 17-year-old who plots to steal his college tuition fees when his wealthy father refuses to pay for his acting school. Edward Zanni, a high school senior from New Jersey, has always dreamed about attended the Juilliard School in New York City to study acting. However, his ambition is trampled on when a financial bump in the road comes his way. With his mother in Peru getting in touch with her spiritual side, his father chooses to deny Edward any money to pay for his college tuition. With parents out of the picture, Edward turns to his loyal and mischievous friends to help in stealing his father's money.

In a quirky and funny novel, Edward and his friends dress up as nuns and priests and successfully plot their way through embezzlement, money laundering, identity theft, forgery and blackmail. Somewhere between his irresponsible, yet refreshing scheme, Edward learns the significance of friendship and a little determination.

This novel reminded me a lot of the character of Holden Caulfield in 'Catcher in the Rye.' Both Edward and Holden experience a coming-of-age through the progression of the novel.

Acito writes a laugh out loud, funny novel that you won't be able to put down, leaving you without one dull moment. 'How I Paid for College' is the perfect novel if you're looking for light reading.