Sneak Thief

by Faith Harkey

Sneak Thief by Faith Harkey is about a girl from a damaged family whose mysterious gift for taking away others' pain helps her build a new life for herself.

Genres: Middle Grade, Childrens, Fantasy, Humor, Friendship, Addiction, Juvenile

Hardcover

First published March 13, 2018

About the author

Faith Harkey finds her inspiration on the backroads of America. From small towns in the heartland to footpaths deep in the mountains, she is drawn to places that remind us we are all together part of something larger. When she isn't on the road in search of story, she recharges her batteries in Tallahassee, Florida. Faith is the author of two middle-grade kids' novels, Genuine Sweet and Sneak Thief.

She is currently the Principal Researcher at
Imaginalia Research.

Visit Faith's Author Site

Check out Faith's Mastodon

Reviews

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twelve-year-old Belle (Hush) Cantrell has been taking care of herself for as long as she can remember. Not only does her mother, Nina, not have the best taste in men, but she drinks and belittles her daughter. Hush no longer even attends school as her mother claims she's being home schooled, but that isn't the case. The two of them live outside of the little town of Sass, Georgia. Hush has feelings of anger buried deep inside, and she's pretty good at stealing things and stashing them away. They aren't usually things of much value, but something in her--she calls it her loco--makes it almost impossible to resist taking things. When she is befriended by Desiree, an unusual horse-loving girl she meets at the town laundromat, Hush is shocked that someone wants to be her friend. The friendship barely gets off the ground, though, before she is caught trying to shoplift some scarves from a local boutique, and a deal is worked at by Desiree's father to have Hush stay with Mabel Holt and help out in her garden. There, Hush finds love and acceptance while continuing to battle her demons. Hers is not an easy road to redemption, but it is a steady one, and most readers will reach for a tissue as the story wraps up since Hush is so certain that no one wants her and that she'll be easily replaced. It's clear that years of verbal abuse have taken a toll on her self-esteem. The fact that Hush realizes she has the ability to see the pain of others and to pluck that pain away adds interest to the story and an element of magic. In many ways, this book reminded me of A Snicker of Magic and Three Times Lucky, publications from previous years. While I liked Hush a great deal and rooted for her throughout the book, I sometimes found the odd phrasings that attempted to capture the Southern dialect--words such as "setter" and phrases such as "don't that dog my cats" strange and problematic. I'm not saying no one talks like this, but no one from my part of the South does. Words like this add flavor to a story, but they can also detract from it. Ultimately, though, middle grade readers will enjoy meeting this resilient girl with a big heart who somehow still has just enough hope to keep going and to leave a tiny opening in her heart for someone to love and be loved back.

[booknerdbobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would label this as literary middle grade fiction. The story is about a girl named Hush, who has the tendency to steal, hence "sneak thief". When she gets caught, new people come into her life and she discovers she has the ability to take away people's pain.

This is a wonderful story about a girl finding herself in the midst of a bad life situation. Her newfound gift opens her eyes to possibilities and her heart to change. Harkey did a wonderful job of weaving several themes such as addiction, abuse, and love into the story.

[Sofi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sneak Thief is about a girl named Hush Cantrell who is always stealing things, until she gets caught. Her choices are go to juvie or a job at Miz Holt's plant nursery. She has to turn over a new leaf and meets her best friend Desiree and finds out she can take away other peoples' pain.
I like this book because it tells how she's able to start a new life. How she can solve her problems and help others by taking their pain away.
I recommend this book to people who like a little magic thrown into their stories.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

“It was my treasure map... It was no work of art, but maps aren’t made to be admired. A map shows you the way. Where you’ve been. Where you are. Where you’re going. I reckoned my map showed a little of each.”
The sneak Thief by Faith Harkey is a treasure!
Magic realism with strong characters and a positive message. Recommended for fans of Natalie Lloyd, Shelia Turnage, & Amber McRee Turner.

[Gillian · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved Belle and all the people she grew to know and love. I’ll be thinking about this book for a while.

[Hoover Public Library Kids and Teens · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those who love Three Times Lucky and A Snicker of Magic.

[Debra Mayhew · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a fun surprise. I started reading it because I was running out of my library stash and I loved the voice right away. There is a neat twist a few chapters in that keeps the story moving in fun and unexpected ways. It's full of touching dialogue and interesting characters. I passed it on to my daughter as soon as I finished it.

[Susan Dunn · Rating 4 out of 5]

12-year-old Hush Cantrell has been taking care of herself for most of her life. Her mother, Nina, hasn't been much of a parent; they live in a dingy old trailer, she doesn't allow Hush go to school, she has a series of no good rotating boyfriends, and she doesn't cook (unless you count microwaving and opening cans). Hush has kind of a thieving problem - when she's in a store or someone's home she gets the urge to steal something, and before she knows it the thing is in her pocket. When she finally gets caught, the authorities take her away from Nina and place her in a temporary foster home. Surrounded by calm and ___ Hush thrives. And it is only then that she discovers another hidden talent behind sneak thieving; she can see pain on people. And not only can she see it - she can take it away. This time her talent can do good - if only Hush can stay on the right path. Southern charm, a charming plucky narrator and a touch of magic combine to make this a fantastic read for kids in grades 4-7.

[Laura Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

#partner Thanks to the MA youth services review blog for this free review copy!
~*~*~*~*~*
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5 for SNEAK THIEF by #faithharkey and published by @aaknopf
Hush Cantrell of Sass, Georgia can't help but steal when she gets that "loco" feeling. She steals inconsequential things (toilet paper, floss, candles), but she has stolen a LOT over the years. Her home life is pretty terrible, as well. She lives in a trailer home with her mother who has nothing but mean words for her and she hasn't been to school in two years. When her thieving is discovered by the local police, Hush is taken from her home and sent to live with Mabel Tromp to help in her garden in lieu of juvie. With the help of Mabel and a new friend named Desiree, Hush's life starts to take a turn for the better. Then she discovers that she has a magical ability to see people's pain and even remove it. Can she use those "sticky fingers" for good and steal pain from people instead of valuables? Can she make amends for all the bad she's done in her life and find a positive way forward?
~*~*~*~*~*
I had a tough time putting this book down! Hush's comforting Southern dialogue combined with one of the most wonderful friendships I've read this year makes this a book to savor and enjoy. Hush is a very likable character. Even when she is thieving, the reader can't help but love her. The little bit of magic is a wonderful addition to the story. I'm really hoping Faith Harkey decides to take readers back to Sass, Georgia again in the future!
~*~*~*~*~*
#bookstagram #book #reading #bibliophile #bookworm #bookaholic #booknerd #bookgram #librarian #librariansfollowlibrarians #librariansofinstagram #booklove #booktography #bookstagramfeature #bookish #bookaddict #booknerdigans #booknerd #ilovereading #instabook #futurereadylibs #ISTElibs #TLChat

[Leah · Rating 5 out of 5]

being southern, getting redeemed

Sneak Thief is pretty much all about real life. A very small town called Sass, Georgia, a truly fractured parent-child relationship, the craziness ("loco") of addictions and compulsions, community support and accountability, new beginnings and an open future for every character in the book. All this begins with a meeting at a laundromat, follows with the casual creation of a treasure map, toward the end becomes strongly symbolized by the birth of a new human baby and the impending arrival of a bovine baby. Author Faith Harkey (who styles herself "magical realist") tells the story of a southern summer from the viewpoint of central character 12-year old Hush—not her given name, but Belle's real name, nevertheless. Kicker on the cover asks "Can you ever go back on the bad stuff you've done?" The almost but not quite chance connections between people that keep happening and interweaving lead to what otherwise would have been impossible outcomes for Hush and into life-giving community for everyone. But can anyone go back on all that bad stuff? No one can rewind time, but if a person risks admits their wrongs – even almost accidentally – acknowledges their helplessness (good old 12-step stuff), takes some responsibility and lets others in, most of the bad stuff can be transformed and redeemed.

As a reviewer I try not to reveal much of any novel's timeline (besides, that's more for a book report than a review), but I'd love everyone to know more about Hush's friends, family, future, and the small town she calls home, so please get Sneak Thief the book! I'm waiting for a sequel, yes I surely am.

[JennM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! This was like 4.5 stars for me. This book had such heart -- all the characters have a lot of substance and I don't think I've ever read a book like this one. If I ever wrote a book, I imagine it would be similar to this -- cute, but also dark, with some issues that need to be addressed in a tactful manner. I really like Hush's character as well as her friend, Desiree. Mabel is so awesome, too! The adult characters are not perfect as they have struggled with their own forms of addiction. Hush has some good role models. And the healing of pain is such an awesome topic. So many great things to learn from this book. I absolutely loved the complicated relationship between Hush and her mom, Nina. I really liked how, even as an adult, I could relate to these characters and their situations and learn from them. Understand that these things happen everywhere and to everyone and we are, in fact, not alone in our struggles. The pain imps seem like they could have been a whole other book, but they fit nicely into this one. Hush learned that pain is necessary to feel sometimes. We learn from that pain. And it was interesting that she could heal others quickly, but it took longer to heal herself. Such awesome ideas with caring characters and a lot of heart. Ms. Harkey is truly a talented author who brought such love into this book through its characters and interactions between characters. (Slightly unrealistic towards the end, but can't have it all, and don't we want happy endings?) Such a great book! Highly recommend to kids of all ages -- even us adults who are kids at heart. Will definitely read again! Might even make my own "treasure map."

[Caroline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite quotes:

-"I denied, though something I might maybe want did start bubbling up in my head. I shoved it right back down. One thing life has taught me was that hoping *hurt*." - p. 12
-"I find it easier to change once I know what I want to change into. Making a treasure map helps me figure that out." - p. 24
*-"She knows life is meant to be magical." - p. 25
-"My hopes crashed into that puddle of sunlight at my feet." - p. 41, great writing/voice
-"Beginners make the best and fastest learners." - p. 53
-"Before I'd met my pain imps, the notion would have been downright crazy. But now? A wish cake seemed only mildly peculiar with a slight chance of possible." - p. 90
-"Those bad things you've done, you don't have to let them stand. A lot of times you can go back and make things right. And where you can't, at least you can do different next time. If you get the chance." - p. 93
-"Sometimes there's magic in the homeliest things, you know?" - p. 109
*-p. 122 for description of how the magic works
*-"I think pain has its place, too. Sometimes it needs to stay awhile. When we stop it before its time, we become less able to feel other important things. Even good things, like joy." - p. 127
-"'You said you hear it all.' I told her. 'But not from you. Sometimes a person needs to say a thing out loud." - p. 155
-"But the truth is, there are certain things a person is responsible for and certain things they're not. And a kid is never, ever responsible for their parents. It's always the other way around." - p. 156
-"If I were you, I'd spend it like Crispy does. Looking for little pieces of goodness you can do. Help you could bring." - p. 172
-"If there was an award for best pretend ma, Mabel would surely win top prize." - p. 214
*-"I closed my eyes and sent up a wish--a true, deep wish--for a heart that could love through the pain. ... 'You didn't break everything. You didn't break me. And that is how, someday, I'm gonna be able to forgive you.'" - p. 249
-"A mother has a great power to hurt her child, if she chooses, and Nina had left me with wounds that were slow to heal." - p. 255
-"I could let my mother pluck my pain--letting us both off the hook, in a way--or I could learn what the hurt had to teach me." - p. 256

[Kyle Pucciarello · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

An expertly crafted tale of a realistic fiction (with a little bit of mysticism involved) that shows us the importance of belief, allowing oneself the opportunity to be believed in, and the importance of pain and how it can be used to learn.

Harkey avoids most of the typical YA tropes, and when she employs them she does so in a unique way. Instead of 1/3 of the novel being devoted to a fight between two friends over a new friend, the two main characters in the story deal with the issue quickly and in a way that fits their character. Instead of our protagonist, Hush, pushing people away immediately and slowly coming to realize her worth, she has flashes of both throughout the novel that make her far more realistic. She's very similar to the main character in "Mr. 60%," and while I liked that character and novel, Hush feels a little more lived in, and a little more fleshed out.

Great lessons and a great story. The mysticism involved in this book can be read as straight fantasy, or as a bit of a metaphor for removing and dealing with pain.

Loved this! Great for 6-8!

[LeeAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. This one grabbed me from the get-go. I loved the characters, solidly portrayed with all their flaws bared, but never losing sight of the goodness struggling to be what shines brighter. I loved the premise of a young girl fighting the pain of her sneak-thieving addiction and her life situation only to discover she has the ability to see and relieve the pain of others. Friendship, family, addictions, abuse, life and death, trust issues, making amends--it's all here. Jump in. It will touch your heart, maybe crack it a little, but in the end, I think you will be smiling and saying "That was a good book." Highly recommended!

[Amy Richau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review (from ARC)here: http://amy.richau.org/book-review-sne...

[Lisa Francine · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you savored Savvy and the other books in the series, you will be delighted by Harkey’s Sneak Thief!

[Kim Erwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOVED this book!!! Magical, funny, touching...a wonderful read!

[Lacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had a very Sharon Creech vibe to it, and because I love her so much, I now really really love this book!

[Reader Girl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a good combination of serious-issue reality, humor, and fantasy. Belle/Hush is a vibrant heroine with as much to teach as she has to learn. I hope there's a book 2!

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was engaging, with likable characters and a well-paced plot. I don't know that the magical element was truly necessary, but I can see how it will appeal the the target demographic.

[Samantha Isaacs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emotional & beautiful.
Full of hope and redemption and courage to do better.

[Ashley Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meant for younger people I think but good story and very easy to get into and read.

[Amy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

[Emma Litvan · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 ⭐️