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Stealing Heaven

by Elizabeth Scott (Goodreads Author)

3.73 of 5 stars 3.73 · rating details · 5,263 ratings · 432 reviews

My name is Danielle. I'm eighteen. I've been stealing things for as long as I can remember.

Dani has been trained as a thief by the best--her mother. Together, they move from town to town, targeting wealthy homes and making a living by stealing antique silver. They never stay in one place long enough to make real connections, real friends--a real life.

In the beach town of H...more

Hardcover, 320 pages

Published May 27th 2008 by HarperTeen

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Mar 10, 2011 Nic rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Recommended to Nic by: Nomes

Shelves: from-recs, realistic-fiction, favourites, read-in-2011, romance-awww, swoon-worthy-read, favourite-of-2011

Favourite Quote: "The story of my life can be told in silver; in chocolate mill, serving spoons, and service for twelve. The story of my life has nothing to do with me. The story of my life is things. Things that aren't mine, that won't ever be mine. It's all I've ever know. I wish it wasn't."

Three words - I LOVED IT! Stealing Heaven is my kind of book. It has a happy and fun feel but also has depth and heart and has one of the most delicious romances I have read in a while.

We all know that Eliz...more Favourite Quote: "The story of my life can be told in silver; in chocolate mill, serving spoons, and service for twelve. The story of my life has nothing to do with me. The story of my life is things. Things that aren't mine, that won't ever be mine. It's all I've ever know. I wish it wasn't."

Three words - I LOVED IT! Stealing Heaven is my kind of book. It has a happy and fun feel but also has depth and heart and has one of the most delicious romances I have read in a while.

We all know that Elizabeth Scott is a talented writer. I have read a couple of her books before and enjoyed them but Stealing Heaven is definitely my favourite. Probably because pretty much the whole way through I had a goofy grin on my face. The writing is just so effortless to read and hooks you straight in. It is also so perfectly paced - you are excited for the next page but never feel rushed. And the characters you just click with.

Dani, awww I want to hug her. Her life is pretty sad to begin with. She is closed off from the world and has missed out on her teens years (no friends, no relationships, no school, no home) because of her mother and the life they live as thieves. I loved watching her grow and come to realise what she really wants. And also beginning to stand up for herself with her mother (I was cheering at that part).

Now Dani's mother, I can definitely say she is going on my most disliked parent list. I know that she thought what she did was the best thing for Dani but I all I could think was how selfish she was.

Greg is such a strong supporting character. You just have to say his name and the above mentioned goofy grin appears on my face. Just a great guy. I like that he never gave up on Dani no matter how much she tried to push him away and also that he had made mistakes in his past which helped him be more believable as character.

The romance is so gorgeously written. It comes gently and naturally and very very slowly builds up to that first kiss so that you are screaming KISS NOW! Dani and Greg just had brilliant chemistry.

"Hey," he says, and leans over, brushes his thumb across my mouth. "You'll figure it out." I nod caught by that simple touch. By how good it feels. Being with him makes the whole world sharper somehow. More real. More everything."

Overall, Stealing Heaven is a sweet and real read that is a perfect escape for a few hours. I am off now to squeeze it onto my favourite's shelf.

And again a big thank you to Nomes ((hugs)) for recommending me another brilliant book!

(less)

14 likes · like · see review

Mar 22, 2009 Ash rated it 3 of 5 stars

While I was reading this book I was really expecting to give it four stars and if the ending was really good maybe even five, but the ending just didn't seem like enough.

Quick Overveiw: Danielle has been stealing stuff(silver to more specific) for as long as she can remember. She and her mother are partners in crime, literally. Her father isn't in her life so it's just her and her mom. But everything starts change when they go to the town of Heaven. She breaks the number one rule of telling some...more

9 likes · like · see review

Oct 26, 2008 Kristi (The Story Siren) rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: books-i-own

Danielle only knows one way to live. She’s never been to school, she’s never had a legitimate job, no friends, and no boyfriend. What she does have is her mother, and what they do, is criminal. They steal. Basically they move from town to town, targeting the houses that contain their drug of choice, silver. Her mother does it, her father did it. It’s the only thing she knows how to do, but is what she wants to do.

Their next hit is a small sleepy beach town called, Heaven. Everything is going as...more

3 likes · like · see review

Mar 26, 2009 Mackenzie Sutton rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: book-club

Stealing Heaven is about a young girl that is going through life and just letting things happen. In the begining it is Dani, her mother, and her father. After some difficult obsticles they go through, which they think are normal, Dani is separated from her father for the rest of her life. She grew up knowing all the things she had weren't hers. She didn't know better, afterall that is what she had been taught. Later Dani's father was put in jail for stealing and was left with her mother. She lov...more

8 likes · like · see review

Mar 06, 2009 Sara ♥ rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: challenge-spring-2009, young-adult, 2009, realistic-fiction

4.5 stars FOR SURE! This book was awesome. Completely different premise than anything I'd ever read before. Dani (Danielle) grew up studying the family business.... which is stealing silver from rich people's homes. She never went to high school, because she was learning "more important things". She and her mom essentially live on the road, going from one town to the next, picking a home, devising a plan to steal from it, stealing the silver, and then moving on to a new town.

Until they get to He...more

6 likes · like · see review

Mar 27, 2011 Isamlq rated it 3 of 5 stars

Does this qualify as NA? If so, NA is my new YA!

Stealing Heaven reminds me of Pretty Woman. Only instead of a handsome suave business man type there's, get this, a young cop! The pairing seemed so unlikely that it verged on being corny; I was positive I would to mock them after. Later though I caught on to what they felt for each other: a wanting, a tentative one, for someone they knew not at all but completely all at once (Guess who read a lot of paperback romances when she was younger.)

Her H...more

4 likes · like · see review

Apr 12, 2011 Jessica-Robyn rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, mystery-crime-ya, standalone-novels, pov-female

2.5 STARS

I don't have much to say about Stealing Heaven, overall it was an enjoyable read with an interesting, although predictable plot that had some really great cute moments.
For me though, nothing about the book really stood out.

I did like Dani as a character, she has an interesting life story after living her entire life as an accomplice to her parents crimes. But the actual theft aspect of the book is rather boring and it didn't add the intrigue that I expected it to, even though it's...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 27, 2009 Lucy rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2009, teen

Dani is eighteen years old, and she has been stealing for as long as she can remember. Her mother is an expert--an expert at working people, at picking the right rich houses, at ferreting out the good silver. At making nice to guard dogs and finding a way around alarm systems. And she has taught Dani everything she knows.

Dani and her mother have been on the road all her life, stopping in a new place only long enough to steal some silver, and then getting out of town before anyone suspects. She d...more Dani is eighteen years old, and she has been stealing for as long as she can remember. Her mother is an expert--an expert at working people, at picking the right rich houses, at ferreting out the good silver. At making nice to guard dogs and finding a way around alarm systems. And she has taught Dani everything she knows.

Dani and her mother have been on the road all her life, stopping in a new place only long enough to steal some silver, and then getting out of town before anyone suspects. She doesn't go to school. She doesn't make friends. They live a transient lifestyle, and it's how they like it.

But then they come to Heaven. It's supposed to be a town like any other town, but it's not. First there's Allison, a rich girl on the beach who unexpectedly insists on being Dani's friend. Then there's Greg--cute, sweet, interested in her--and a cop. The longer Dani lingers in Heaven, the more she begins to be afraid that she won't be able to pull off the heist she and her mother have planned. When she finds out that Allison's family is the target, she is even more conflicted. Can she turn her back on the only lifestyle and family she's ever known? The only thing Dani knows for sure is that for the first time, she may have something that she actually wants to keep.

I was surprised at how much I didn't connect to this book. I usually lobe Elzabeth Scott's books. I devoured Bloom, and I thought Living Dead Girl was traumatic and awful but very well written. And I was excited for Stealing Heaven.

Unfortunately, I really didn't connect with the characters. Dani never felt real to me, and I never really got inside her head enough to understand her decisions. She makes such baffling choices--on the basis of "It's all I've ever known" and "I've been doing it all my life and I can't change now"--but you never really get under her skin enough to really understand why. It's almost like she's mouthing all the things you would expect someone in her position to say, but she's not really feeling any of it.

The ending left me feeling unsatisfied, too. As with all good teen romances, it ends in a good place--but it felt cheap to me. There are no real consequences for her actions, and the emotional pang we--and she--are supposed to feel when faced with a certain someone feels inconsequential compared to Getting the Guy.

And I never really understood what drew Greg to Dani in the first place, or second place, or third place, or after he knew why she was really in town. He calls her interesting, but she never really seems that compelling to me.

Eh. I was really let down by this one. On a completely different note, I really didn't like the jacket--I thought it was too garish and bright. It looked like an eye-grabbing beach read, but I thought the colors popped a little too much.

Overall a disappointment for me.(less)

2 likes · like · see review

Feb 04, 2009 Jamieson rated it 5 of 5 stars

Danielle has been stealing things for as long as she can remember.

At eighteen years of age, Danielle isn’t your average young adult. After her father got put in jail for theft, she and her mother have led a nomad life style. They go from place to place, stealing to make their way. Thieves don’t always look like you think they should.

Danielle is tired, though. Tired of living a life where nothing is hers, where she is constantly on the move. Tired of lying about her name, her background, tired of...more

1 like · like · see review

Jun 23, 2008 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Scott, Elizabeth Stealing Heaven, pgs.307 Harper Collins-Harper Teen. Language~PG-13, Sexual Content~PG; Violence~G;

Before readers get to turn the first page, Scott grabs your interest with this sentence. “My name is Danielle. I’m eighteen. I’ve been stealing things for as long as I can remember.” Danielle’s mother became involved in burglary as a young woman and when her partner is arrested, she waits until Danielle is old enough and they become a team. They move from town to town, city to cit...more

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Mar 17, 2010 Larissa Roland rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is one of those books you're not too sure to give a chance, but if you do; you never regret it. My father bought this book for me, and I'm hooked after reading twenty-six pages. I'm picky with my books; and I usually don't read anything other than humour; or fantasy. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance! Kudos to the author!

I myself write my own stories; but none will ever be as good as this. I applaud the realism in this story; and the fact that it seems a little like myself. I'm adopted;...more

1 like · like · see review

Apr 07, 2008 Suzanne rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult-fiction

I really wanted to give this one 4 stars. I did. So much. The premise was fresh, and Dani is a departure from Scott's all-American every-girl types. But there was one aspect of the backstory I just did not like and no matter how small it was, it hung over me the entire book. It was just... too... Jerry Springer for me. Take that out and you've got yourself a perfect teen read. ("This review is based on an ARC so maybe the blech part won't be in when the book is published at the end of May," I ty...more

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Nov 29, 2011 Michelle rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction, teen

Dani and her mother are thieves. They steal mainly silver. It’s the only life Dani has ever known. But when they get to Heaven, Dani meets Allison. She’s the daughter of the house they plan on robbing. The only problem is Allison is really nice. It makes Dani realize how much she wants real friends and a place she can call home. [return][return]This was a very interesting situation to read about. I really liked Dani and her struggles felt very real. She’s fighting against her desire for stabilit...more

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Mar 23, 2013 Notbagels rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: y-a, ebook

This was a cheap e-book find. The descriptor that keeps come to mind is "sad." Not in the "it made me cry so hard" way, but in the "this situation is kind of hopeless and this girl is far more damaged that even the author admits" kind if way. There is hope near the end, but mostly it's just saaaaad. Not that that's necessarily a bad thing, but it made it tough to read at times. There were also times when the love interest was slightly unbelievable--or at the very least frustrating--because she d...more

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Jan 06, 2013 Megan Brizzell rated it 4 of 5 stars

"Stealing Heaven" by Elizabeth Scott

Dani and her mother do not live a traditional life, not by a long shot. They travel around the country, making their living with burglary. They are both very skilled thieves, and work together to stay alive and have money and a home. Every single job they do is well-planned and well-executed. Every step they take is calculated. Burglary is actually how Dani's parents met. It’s the only life Dani has ever known. She’s never had a normal life, with friends or s...more "Stealing Heaven" by Elizabeth Scott

Dani and her mother do not live a traditional life, not by a long shot. They travel around the country, making their living with burglary. They are both very skilled thieves, and work together to stay alive and have money and a home. Every single job they do is well-planned and well-executed. Every step they take is calculated. Burglary is actually how Dani's parents met. It’s the only life Dani has ever known. She’s never had a normal life, with friends or school or a boyfriend or anything. Ever since she was born, her parents have been stealing things in order to support her. When she was younger, she used to sit and wait in the car for them to finish, not really knowing what was happening. Once Dani's father left, she had to take over his position. Since then, Dani and her mother have been doing what they do best; stealing.

When they get to the beach town of Heaven, it seems like it’ll be just like any other place. They’ll pick the best of the big houses, making sure it holds lots of silver (their item of choice to steal); scout it out, maybe find an inn, or an apartment somewhere, grab the loot, and take off. Dani’s mom will use her looks to her advantage somehow, maybe to secure them a place to stay or find some useful information. Dani's used to her mom using her looks to take care of these kind of jobs. She goes out, leads a guy on, gets some information, and once she's got everything she needs, she's gone. Dani will make no lasting, important connections with anyone, since that could mean revealing their plans and why they're there. That’s how it always is, and how it's supposed to always be. When they get to Heaven, Dani thinks Heaven might be different. Maybe she may make a real friend, not a person she just wants information out of. Then there’s the guy who won't leave her alone, and happens to be a cop. Despite that, Dani finds herself falling for him. She has to choose–the life she’s always known, or the life she’s always secretly dreamed of.

Elizabeth Scott is amazing at creating wonderful, believable characters. I love that despite Dani’s very unusual and interesting life, she is a very relatable character, who is dealing with some very normal teenage girl problems (and some less normal ones). "Stealing Heaven" is a well-written, absorbing book that grabbed me from the first page and refused to let go! I highly, highly recommend it.
I enjoyed the book "Stealing Heaven" by Elizabeth Scott very much. Scott put so much detail into every sentence, and every plot twist, that the whole book and plot felt real, and as if you were there. In some ways it felt like a I was watching a movie, and I could see everything that was happening. Since the main character was a teenage girl, I suppose it was easier for me to understand her and connect with Dani as the story went on.

My favorite part would have to be right before the end. Dani had just robbed a house, and for the first time ever, regretted doing it. the only reason she did was because she felt that her mother would be angry with her if she didn't. Then, her friend the cop finds out and doesn't talk to her a while. After this I got really excited to see what was going to happen. Maybe she would never talk to her cop friend again, and perhaps she would never steal either. If you want to find out what does happen, I suppose you'll have to read the book yourself.

Throughout the whole book I was very entertained, and never wanted to put it down. I actually read it twice this month, because I enjoyed it so much the first time. Scott always kept you guessing, and you never really knew what was going to happen. I would recommend this book to anyone, really. Overall, it was an awesome book and I wouldn't mind reading it again myself. Though it may be more appealing to teenage girls, I think anyone who loves reading would enjoy this. It wasn't too long, but it wasn't too short either. From cover to cover I was entertained by the book "Stealing Heaven" by Elizabeth Scott, and I hope that you take my advice so you can experience reading this book and enjoying it as much as I did.(less)

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Dec 13, 2012 Alice in Readerland rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review was originally posted on my blog ALICE IN READERLAND (aliceinreaderland.wordpress.com:

A thief’s life is the only life Dani’s ever known. Her first memory involves robbing a house, she’s never had anything that’s really hers (including a home), and has gone by many different names. So when Dani and her mother set their sights on a quaint beach town called Heaven, Dani takes on the name Sydney and figures that this job will be like any other one. But she couldn’t be more wrong; because...more This review was originally posted on my blog ALICE IN READERLAND (aliceinreaderland.wordpress.com:

A thief’s life is the only life Dani’s ever known. Her first memory involves robbing a house, she’s never had anything that’s really hers (including a home), and has gone by many different names. So when Dani and her mother set their sights on a quaint beach town called Heaven, Dani takes on the name Sydney and figures that this job will be like any other one. But she couldn’t be more wrong; because on this job, the unknowing mark is eager to become Dani’s friend and the guy who wants to be more than friends ends up being a cop. What’s a thief to do?

I’ve been wanting to read this book for a while, and I’m glad that I finally did read it! My favorite part of this book has to be the first few chapters, I loved hearing about Dani’s first memory involving robbing a house and then seeing how everything played out when her and her mother returned to the scene of the crime years later. I really enjoyed Elizabeth Scott’s writing style and how we got to see different parts of Dani’s character come out, like how an old worn out sofa makes Dani wonder what it’s like to “call something yours and know it really is.” Or how, when she sneaks into a house with dogs, she ends up waving goodbye to the dog she’s made friends with and wishing she had a dog. I thought the character exploration and the wittiness in this book were spot-on and really made it stand out.

Cynical Cindy Says:
While reading the first half of this book, I was fully prepared to give this book a 4 teacup rating. However, I ended up being disappointed with the ending; I personally thought it all fell a little flat compared to the first part of the book. I can see why the author had things end up the way they did, but I wish there was a happier ending with Dani’s mother and for the friendship between Allison and Dani.

Alice’s Favorite Quote
“What she really wanted was to stand next to something she’d passed by a long time ago, to know she was somewhere she’d been before and could easily come again.”

Cindy’s Favorite Quote
“I can’t figure out what kind of game she’s playing and then, as she’s pointing out the shoes some girl is wearing and asking what I think of them, I realize this is probably how normal people talk. How maybe people who could be friends talk. Weird. And kind of nice, too. But still weird.”
(less)

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Nov 23, 2012 Suad Shamma rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favourites, own, 2011

This has got to be one of the best young adult books of the year! I picked this up expecting one thing, but ended up with something completely different - and in a good way! It completely exceeded my expectations, and left me pleasantly surprised.

Dani is one of the most sincere, troubled yet loyal teens I have ever met. She is eighteen, so she isn't your typical younger teenage girl. She's mature, she's wise, and her experiences have taught her to be strong but guarded with her emotions. Dani, o...more This has got to be one of the best young adult books of the year! I picked this up expecting one thing, but ended up with something completely different - and in a good way! It completely exceeded my expectations, and left me pleasantly surprised.

Dani is one of the most sincere, troubled yet loyal teens I have ever met. She is eighteen, so she isn't your typical younger teenage girl. She's mature, she's wise, and her experiences have taught her to be strong but guarded with her emotions. Dani, or Danielle, has never been able to just be herself. For as long as she could remember she has been skipping towns with the silver that her mum has stolen with her help. She has lived in towns with an alias, she has never had her own house, her own furniture, or her own identity. She has never been able to make friends, or have relationships, or even have a pet, but has always been on the sidelines as she watched her mum change boyfriends to suit her purposes.

Dani's mum comes off as extremely selfish and uncaring. She is irresponsible, greedy, and phony. Her main purpose and concern is stealing silver from as many houses as possible, and to hell with the consequences. But we come to realise that stealing for Dani's mum is more than just money, it has become an addiction - her thrill in life. It's the only thing she's ever known, and she doesn't want to give it up...for anyone.

But then Dani meets Allison, and Greg - and her whole life is turned upside down. Allison is a rich girl who is actually nice. Who wants to be Dani's friend. And Greg...Greg is a cop, who has fallen for the girl who steals things. Greg is the embodiment of everything Dani was taught to stay away from, but she likes him...she really likes him...and she cannot seem to stay away from him.

This is such a great story. A story with so much depth, so much sadness, but so much hope. It is a story about the conflict of loyalty, about doing the right thing and wanting to do the right thing. About standing up for what's right. About moving on, and starting new. It is a page-turner that will make you want to know what will happen next, a story that will keep you curious and satisfy you to the very end.

I would read this book all over again, and enjoy reading it just as much second time around. Elizabeth Scott has truly set a new standard for herself with this one, and I look forward to reading her other novels. (less)

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Nov 21, 2012 Susan L rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2012-2013, ms-lau-clan

in the book "Stealing Heaven" it talks about a 18 years old girl named Danielle usually refer as Dani who steal throughout her life. she and her mother's target is towards wealthy family. they navigate a lot because they don't want to get caught. Dani was influenced by her parents, she was forced into a world where she would get what she want by stealing things that don't even belong to her. she has no life of a normal young adult. She doesn't know what she grew up to be. Does she really want to...more

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Sep 21, 2012 E rated it 5 of 5 stars

A Book and A Record

Elizabeth Scott amazes me because she kind of write whatever she feels like, and doesn’t really care. Normally authors have a niche that they fit in to, but Scott writes a little bit of everything, and I have to admit, I like some of her books far better than others.
The “some” that I like better are her contemporary YA novels. Novels like Stealing Heaven. Scott has a gift for creating dysfunctional mother/daughter relationships and Stealing Heaven was no different. What got t...more

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Sep 05, 2012 Willa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Actual Rating: 3.5

If I was to characterize this book in one word it would be somber. With a streak of hope at the end. For me, the book wasn't about the thievery or the illegality, but about the unhealthy and destructive relationship between Dani and her mother. Their relationship is the focal point for everything that happens in the novel. Dani, for her entire life, is dependent on her mother, like most children, but the dependency never dissipates. It may be because of their unstable family li...more Actual Rating: 3.5

If I was to characterize this book in one word it would be somber. With a streak of hope at the end. For me, the book wasn't about the thievery or the illegality, but about the unhealthy and destructive relationship between Dani and her mother. Their relationship is the focal point for everything that happens in the novel. Dani, for her entire life, is dependent on her mother, like most children, but the dependency never dissipates. It may be because of their unstable family life and the constant moving that causes this dependency, but I think more likely it was Dani's mom who encourages and fosters Dani's inability to separate herself from her mother. Dani's mom, who we never learn her given name, was a high school drop out and stuck with a kid, but kind of finds her life's calling in theft. She loves moving around and seeing new places. She also gets a thrill out of doing the forbidden. Part of her personality is that she doesn't depend on anyone for emotional or financial support; her love of freedom. Which is what makes this book so interesting because she is so completely dependent on Danielle. Dani's mom makes Dani get her coffee every morning. Dani mentions that her mother never likes being tied down by anything and that she found her mother annoying when she asked what the mom's plan is for the future, how happy the mom is that she doesn't have to deal with that kind of thing. Except, that Dani asks these kind of questions all the time. Normally, you would assume that if you mix a flaky mom with a disreputable background, she would just abandon her child. Or if her mother truly loved her she would have given her up and given her a chance to find a better life, but she didn't. She kept Dani with her and helped create this dependency. Dani is constantly worried about what her mother would think. (view spoiler)

Dani is also an interesting character and other half of the mother-daughter relationship. At first, I thought that she was a little bit underdeveloped, but I realized that she needed to be. Dani has been overshadowed by her mother and her mother's wishes for so long that she had no time to become anyone. Throughout the book we can see her preferences, she doesn't like to drink coffee, but Dani has been so cutoff from normal interaction that she hasn't had time to develop any kind of personality. I could also see this with the thievery. She does it for her mother and at one point during her narrative tells us that she doesn't particular enjoy it either. However, it's not a moral issue or even as strong as her dislike of coffee. I think it's one of the reasons why she was so defensive with Greg and why she could only really ask questions when she talked with him (or Allison).

The brilliance of this novel, though, is that when Dani is introduced to normal human relationships and interactions, like Allison and Greg, she starts to separate from her mother and she starts to develop, not a exactly a personality, but a curiosity of something more than the life she's had with her mother. (view spoiler) Overall, I thought it was a great coming of age story and a great discovering-who-you-are book.

The only reason why this book isn't getting a higher star count is because I wouldn't read it again and it's not really my genre. Furthermore, I know that if I did read it again some of Dani's nuances would start getting to me, like her constant questioning and self-doubt. (less)

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May 21, 2012 Luna rated it 4 of 5 stars

After I finished Stealing Heaven I ordered two more books by Elizabeth Scott as well as adding all the others to my wish-list.

The writing is alive, I can’t think of a better way to describe it. I was right there with Dani and so engrossed in her story I didn’t question anything – it was just reality.

Dani knows what her and her mother do is wrong, Dani doesn’t like it but it’s all she’s ever known. So when they arrive in Heaven Dani is all set for the next job. Only this time she makes friends, a...more

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Apr 30, 2012 Zoe O rated it 3 of 5 stars

18 year old Danielle (Dani) has been stealing things for her whole life, as long as she can remember. Her mom trained her to steal from houses all around them. Her and her mother move from place to place to gather different things from different homes. Her mother prefers to take her to the more “rich” neighborhoods because they have more to offer. When Dani and her mother move into the rich beach town of Heaven not everything is the same. Dani finally feels like she is at home. She finally feels...more

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Oct 18, 2011 Shannon (aka Readergirl) added it

May I just say at the beginning here that Elizabeth Scott is one of my favorite YA authors. She just knows how to do characters, dark, internal struggle, and gut-wrenching conflict. This book was no exception. I'm not sure why it's taken me so long to read this one, as I've read just about everything else she's ever put out, but I just managed to put download this one from BN on my Nook and I am so glad I finally did.

This is another one of those signature Elizabeth Scott books that just engrosse...more

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Sep 23, 2011 Angieleigh rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: bc11-12

Dani wants to be able to tell people her real name, but her mother won't allow her to. In fact, Dani would like to do a lot of things that, well, normal people do, but can't.

See, Dani and her mom are thieves. Silver thieves to be exact and they're damn good. Except, Dani doesn't want to steal anymore; not once they get to a little town called Heaven where she meets Allison and Greg. They unintentionally make her think about her life and what she's done with it and what she'd like to do with it.

I...more

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Aug 28, 2011 Arushi rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, family

Imagine this: You've never attended a school, never made friends or had a boyfriend. What you do is travel from one place to another with your mom, your only family. Oh and you are a thief. You steal. All your life it's what you've done. It's what you were taught. Now throw in a cute cop that you can't seem to ignore and you've gotten the life of Danielle down perfectly.

Out of all the books I've read by Elizabeth Scott, this one totally steals the best-book award. It's original. It's funny. It'...more

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Jun 14, 2011 Michelle rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, la-la-loved, contemp, own, ya

Eighteen year old Danielle has never been to high school, she's never lived in one place for more than a few months at a time, and she's certainly never been in one place long enough to make friends. All because Danielle is an expert silver thief. Thanks to her mother's training (and questionable morals) Danielle has been stealing since she was a toddler and can plan the most expert of heists. Even though she loves her mother, Danielle has never wanted the life that gives her mom such a high - a...more Eighteen year old Danielle has never been to high school, she's never lived in one place for more than a few months at a time, and she's certainly never been in one place long enough to make friends. All because Danielle is an expert silver thief. Thanks to her mother's training (and questionable morals) Danielle has been stealing since she was a toddler and can plan the most expert of heists. Even though she loves her mother, Danielle has never wanted the life that gives her mom such a high - a feeling that becomes even more sharp as the pair travel to Heaven, a beach front tourist town, bursting with potential targets. In Heaven Danielle does the unthinkable. Unwillingly, she begins to make friends. Spending time with the chatty Allison is bad enough but when Danielle finds herself drawn to the goofy cop Greg, she knows her world could collapse at any moment.

Why hasn't anyone told me about Elizabeth Scott before? Okay, okay. I'm sure someone has before, but goodness knows why I've waited so long to pick one of her novels up. I'm sure my reluctance is in part due to the lackluster covers. My standards are fairly high when it comes to contemporary YA novels and these headless girl covers do absolutely nothing for me. But really? Stealing Heaven could not have been more perfect! Seriously, I have the wonderful Nomes of Inkcrush to thank once again for her spot-on recommendation of this book.

I honestly loved everything about this book. I love Danielle and her astute observations of people and life. I loved her wry sense of humor and her vulnerability. Yet I also ached for her in her unwavering faithfulness to her flighty mother. And boy howdy, I also totally loved Greg! There aren't many guys who could manage to ask out a girl in front of the grocery store seafood counter and not come off looking like a total idiot.

Elizabeth Scott is a fantastic contemporary writer - I adore that she writes older characters - not just 16 year old teens. In fact (I'm sure this will get me in trouble with some folks, but here goes...), Stealing Heaven was everything I wanted Sarah Dessen's novels to be. Funny and poignant all at the same time with unforgettable characters who are just trying to figure themselves out.(less)

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Mar 31, 2011 Whatchyareading added it

Shelves: christine, contemporary, young-adult

Rachel, Helen, Sydney… Dani’s answered to them all. She’s a grifter, as is her mother. And she doesn’t know another life.

The first thing I liked about Dani was her yearning for stability. To have something she can call her own. It’s a common enough need that the people who crave new beginnings and endless moving from one place to another are viewed as weird. Her mother is one of those people. Of course, it might also have something to do with their lifestyle. Usually once you’ve robbed a house,...more

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Jul 07, 2010 Mrs. Foley rated it 3 of 5 stars

Eighteen-year-old Danielle grew up learning how to steal from her mother, and the two have spent their lives traveling around and targeting wealthy homes, but in the beach town of Heaven, when Dani realizes her new friend's home is actually her next target and her potential boyfriend is a police officer, she must try to hide her true identity. - library catalog description

Gateway nominee 2010-2011

Review from School Library Journal:
Danielle, 18, has been a thief all her life. Moving from town to...more

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Jun 02, 2010 Nahima Uddin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Book: Stealing Heaven
By: Elizabeth Scott

In this book, an eighteen-year-old girl named Danielle has been moving all around to different place all her life. She has always been a quiet girl and has a different personality than most teenagers. Usually in most cases teenagers steal on their own, but in Danielle’s case, she has been trained to steal as a thief by her mother. They never stayed in an area long enough to have real connections, real friends, or a real life for memories to last. Danielle...more Book: Stealing Heaven
By: Elizabeth Scott

In this book, an eighteen-year-old girl named Danielle has been moving all around to different place all her life. She has always been a quiet girl and has a different personality than most teenagers. Usually in most cases teenagers steal on their own, but in Danielle’s case, she has been trained to steal as a thief by her mother. They never stayed in an area long enough to have real connections, real friends, or a real life for memories to last. Danielle’s mother and Danielle only know leading a life of crime. In the book it says, “Daniele has had so many different names and fake identities; she’s not even sure who she really is”. However, she never went to school since they never stayed anywhere long enough. When Danielle and her mother reach a place called Heaven, things begin changing since she meets a girl named Allison. Soon Allison and Danielle become close friends and don’t know what to do because she never had a friend before. I think this relates to the real world because many parents teach their children the wrong things and forget to fix their mistakes that they have done in the past. I also think moving around places does have a big affect of the children’s lives.
After reading this book, it made me recognize that parents are our role models, and we do follow their footsteps through life and through the next generations. I noticed that parents sometimes teach the wrong things to their children that affects their lives and the next generations. Even though parents are adults, they forget they are responsible for their actions and that their children(s) look up to them. IN the book it says, “You’d think alarms would be the biggest worry, but they aren’t.” This quote basically shows that Danielle’s mother is a bad influence on Danielle because she teaches her the techniques of how to not get caught to steal more things. Since her mother didn’t try to even try to fix the mistake she had encouraged her to do, it affected Danielle’s life of knowing the difference between doing good and bad things.
Even though this is fiction, these issues still happen in the real world. So I think parents should always be responsible for their actions, and teach the right things for their children to follow.
In my opinion, I think this book relates to many teenagers in several of ways. I think moving a lot does have an effect on children’s lives. Even though those children are getting to view the world, it isn’t helping the children to build up stronger connections, special memories, true friends, etc. For example, in the book it said, “I am good at being quiet.” Yes, maybe it is good to be quiet sometimes, but it isn’t good to be quiet all the time because you’ll never be able to communicate with others. In the book, I also noticed that Danielle didn’t learn how to talk to people and become friends with other teens her age. I think part of the reason why she wasn’t able to talk to people was probably because of her moving to different places a lot. I think that had big effects on her trusting others at a short time.
I recommend this book for adolescents and adults. After reading this book, it reminds that mistakes are a part of life, and you always have time to fix them. This book reminds you that every child should deserve a chance to have true friends and great memories.
(less)

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May 01, 2010 Sgabriels added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott
Put your hands up because you’ve been caught Stealing Heaven. Elizabeth Scott, the author, introduced a character that teenagers could easily connect with. A number of teens today are usually caught up with their parents just like Danielle.
18 year old Danielle and her mum are similar to spies although they are also complete opposites. Why you ask? Well, like spies, they use cover identities and they have agencies to help them get away with what they do however...more

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About Elizabeth Scott

Hey there, I'm Elizabeth. I write young adult novels. I live just outside Washington DC with my husband and dog, and am unable to pass a bookstore without stopping and going inside.

All right, and I can't leave without buying at least one book.

Usually two. (Or more!)

My website and blog are at elizabethwrites.com, and I'm also on facebook and twitter.

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Quotes from Stealing Heaven

“Things... well, things suck sometimes. And sometimes you can fix it. And sometimes you can't. It's just the way it is.” — 41 people liked it

“My mother taught me to believe in silver, to believe in things, but I think it's more important to believe in me.” — 26 people liked it

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