The Boy Who Steals Houses

By Author / Illustrator

C.G. Drews

Genre

Adventure

Age range(s)

11+

Publisher

Hachette Children's Group

ISBN

9781408349922

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

04-04-2019

Synopsis

Can two broken boys find their perfect home? By turns heartbreaking and heartwarming, this is a gorgeously told, powerful story.

Sam is only fifteen but he and his autistic older brother, Avery, have been abandoned by every relative he's ever known. Now Sam's trying to build a new life for them. He survives by breaking into empty houses when their owners are away, until one day he's caught out when a family returns home. To his amazement this large, chaotic family takes him under their wing - each teenager assuming Sam is a friend of another sibling. Sam finds himself inextricably caught up in their life, and falling for the beautiful Moxie.

But Sam has a secret, and his past is about to catch up with him.

Heartfelt storytelling, perfect for fans of Jandy Nelson and Jennifer Niven.

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Reviews

Sammy Lou is homeless and broken, worn down by years of neglect, abuse and worrying about his older autistic brother Avery. In a cycle of 'borrowing' empty houses to sleep, Sammy Lou wakes up one day to a returning family and he suddenly allows himself to dream of a home. The past, his anger and his brother's new criminal 'friends', however, threaten to spoil everything. From the beginning this book grabs you, shakes you and spits you out. Full of adrenaline, action, heartache and family camaraderie, it is an excellent read. I couldn't help worrying how the story would unfold and felt there could be no happy ending for Sammy. The love and responsibility between the brothers is captured perfectly along with the chaos and grief of the De Laineys. I think anyone reading this would love to be adopted by them and be part of the banter of the siblings. Rarely does a book portray such a close family with little input from parents and I think the author delivered enough of Mr De Lainey to imply security without it being overpowering. My heart screeched throughout for someone to just listen and really see Sammy Lou, which I'm sure is the author's intention. A great read and I'd love to see a sequel, something that doesn't often appeal. 3 368 pages / Ages 12+ / Reviewed by Lorraine Ansell, school librarian