Stealing Heaven

Title: Stealing Heaven
Author: Elizabeth Scott
Release: 2008
Publisher: Harperteen
Price: $16.99 USD HB

Grade: A
Rating: 13+

Synopsis from Amazon
Danielle, 18, has been a thief all her life. Moving from town to town, she and her mom stay around only long enough to canvas the rich and steal their silver. When she was 15, they moved on at Danielle's request, after she had sex for "the first and only time" with her mother's 20-year-old boyfriend. It's a lifestyle the teen is used to, but she's beginning to long for something more. She wants roots, friends, and a place to call home. When they hit the small resort town of Heaven, Danielle knows the routine. Her mom will chat up the men for information and she, now using the name Sydney, is supposed to do the same with her peers. Only something goes wrong, and "Sydney" begins to make friends with the mark, flirt with a local cop, and generally do everything her mom's always told her to avoid. And when it's time for the heist, Danielle is no longer sure she can follow her mom's demands. This story is deceptively touching. Danielle and her mother are both fully developed, as are the secondary characters of Allison (the friend) and Greg (the young cop). The overriding theme of living up to a parent's expectations instead of following your own path is universal, but the twist of a family of thieves gives the story originality.


My Thoughts:
On my latest trip to the library I was excited to find that they had this novel. It had been on my wishlist for a long time and I was ready to read it. This book combined so many aspects and I felt a real connection to the main character Dani. Even though I have never personally experienced theft or having my mom battle cancer Elizabeth wrote in a way that I was able to find connections. The relationship between Dani and Greg was adorable and there were a couple times when I gave out loud “Aw’s”. I’m very happy I read this book and I will be purchasing my own copy.

Recommendation: I think all teen girls should read this. There will be at least one aspect for everyone to connect with.

Rich Girls

Title Rich Girls (A teen nanny book)
Author Victoria Ashton
Publisher HarperCollins
Price $15.99 USD HB

Age 13+
Rating A-

Summary: (Barnes and Noble)
I understand you dated this Byron, didn't you?" Mrs. Warner asked.

"His name is Brian," Adrienne said. "Yes, I did."

"Well," Mrs. Warner said, "wouldn't it be nice if you two got back together? And wouldn't it be wonderful if you did that before the debutante ball?" Mrs. Warner continued. "And then my darling Cameron could find someone more appropriate to escort her to the ball. Oh, Mr. Warner and I would be very grateful if that's what happened."


My thoughts:
It had been awhile since I had read the first Teen Nanny book but Victoria made it easy to remember just where we left off. I loved how the plot kept shifting and secrets began unraveling. I felt that the characters were much more developed in this second installment. The only reason for the minus next to the A was one slow part. It bothered me a bit. Once the story picked back up I was in awe again though.

Recommendation: I recommend this series to fans of Gossip Girl and The Au Pairs.

Runaway

Title: Runaway
Editor: Wendelin Van Draanen
Publisher: Random House
Price: $15.95 USD HB
Release: 2006

Grade: C
Age: 13+

Summary: (Amazon)
From May until November, Holly writes in her journal, by turns fierce, angry, scared, heartbroken, defiant. Her teacher gave Holly the journal in the hopes of allowing her to work through her mother's overdose and stays in a succession of foster homes. But Holly has more immediate issues--hunger and shelter and not being cold. Running away again from an abusive foster family, she makes her way by stealth and cunning to Los Angeles. She writes poetry in her journal, too--vivid and wired poems that it seems a smart 12-year-old actually could write. She refuses to see herself as homeless, but as a gypsy, making a home where she can--libraries and schools are among her favorite places to hide. As her situation gets increasingly desperate, readers long for Holly to find a bath and a hot meal and someone to care for her. The ending of this taut, powerful story seems possible and deeply hopeful.

My Thoughts: I liked the start of this book a lot. As it went on though it got a little to weird. 12 year olds aren’t supposed to be streetwise. It kinda annoyed me with how mature this 12 year old thought she was. Also the step parents pissed me off. The book was well written but just made me mad. I cant like a book that makes me mad. I’m sure if I could then I would have liked this story.

Recommendation: Fans of books about young kids who come off as older, due to being streetwise.

Listening to: I’d Lie (Taylor Swift)