STEALING HEAVEN
Elizabeth Scott
HarperTeen
Fiction
Hardcover: 9780061122804
Paperback: 9780061122828
336 pages

Eighteen-year-old Danielle has been moving around her whole life. Town to town. House to house. But for Dani, it’s not just a matter of moving into a new home. It’s a matter of living life on the run. Dani and her mother are thieves, and leading a life of crime is all she knows --- until they enter the small beach town of Heaven, where their not-so-traditional lifestyle finally catches up with them.

Dani’s father introduced her mother to “the fine art of burglary” when they were young. As an infant she joined them on jobs. When she was five her father was arrested, only to bust out of prison two years later. But that did not mean the family reunited. Instead, Dani and her mother were left to provide for themselves doing the only thing they knew --- stealing. Specifically, silver from wealthy homes.

Dani has had so many different names and fake identities she’s not even sure who she really is. Plus, she has never gone to school because they don’t stay anywhere long enough. “Mom says I haven’t missed anything by not going to school, that I know how to read and write and figure out our percentage from a sale and, ‘that’s more than most people know, baby. Some kids go to school and leave not knowing how to write their own name. You can do that and you can tell plate from sterling just by looking at it. That’s education.’”

When Dani and her mother reach Heaven, however, things are different. While wandering on the beach, Dani meets Allison Donaldson, a girl her age. Allison warms up to her automatically and treats her like a friend, sharing gossip about boys. At first Dani doesn’t know how to act, but then she realizes that maybe Allison is just being friendly. Then, Dani becomes acquainted with Greg --- another local who she unwillingly finds adorable. However, she learns that Greg has the worst of all professions. He’s a cop!

As Dani’s summer in Heaven unfolds, for the first time ever she begins to question the lifestyle that she and her mother lead. And more importantly, she starts wondering what she, the real Dani, wants out of life.

As in her other novels, author Elizabeth Scott (BLOOM, PERFECT YOU) does a great job creating realistic teen characters. The story is told at an enjoyable and pleasant pace, and the events seem to unfold naturally. The setup of the book is very unique and presents an entertaining read while allowing us to feel for individuals who are living a far from normal way of life.

    --- Reviewed by Kristi Olson

Click here now to buy this book from Amazon.com.