Heist Society by Ally Carter; published by Disney Hyperion Books, New York, 2010; 287 pages.
Katarina “Kat” Bishop just wanted a normal life. So she stole a spot at a boarding school. At 15, she had been a thief for more than ten years and the thought of a normal life apart from her family’s business was overwhelmingly appealing. But, apparently, once a thief, always a thief; her family found a way to bring her back into the business. W. W. Hale the Fifth, billionaire boy/friend and unofficial member of the family, found a way to bring her home. Once there, Kat discovers that her father has been framed for stealing artwork from a very, very bad man, Arturo Taccone. With the help of cousin Gabrielle, the Bagshaw brothers, and tech-prodigy Simon, Hale and Kat take on the task of re-stealing the art. Once the project begins, they discover mysteries wrapped in mysteries, like who is the pseudonymous Visily Romani and who are the rightful owners of the stolen paintings?
I frequently felt like I was reading the version of Ocean’s Eleven starring teenagers; and that’s not a bad thing. Part of the appeal of Ally Carter’s books, for me anyway, is the strong female protagonists who don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s no surprise that this book made YALSA’s Teens’ Top Ten list in 2010. I for one am glad Carter has a new series with a likable albeit reluctant heroine.
I read that the film rights for this book have already been sold. Hooray! I can’t wait to see who is cast and how closely the movie follows the book.
5P 4Q Grade Level: 7-12
Cover Art: The title is a dead giveaway of the plot of the book, but the reflection of the painting in the sunglasses is another big hint. I think putting a photo, rather than a graphic or illustration, of a young adult woman is most appealing to the intended audience.
From Reading List: Teens’ Top Ten, 2010
"YA" Need Books 