Cadre Kids: Larceny

by Mary Mulligan

Homeschooled fraternal-twin teens, Jake and Rosa, are enjoying their lives learning from the strictest of all educators, their mom. Their biggest gripe used to be the history lessons their grandfather would force them to endure over summer vacations. An ambitious politician with an underlying nefarious agenda pushes for school choice but, it comes at a cost. Their mom instead of embracing the change fights the system thrusting the twin teenagers along with their older brother, Ted, into the public eye and national headlines. The good news is the teenagers test two grades above their age level. The bad news is being smart, they question everything drawing the ire of the Congressman's Aide. Concerned for his siblings, their older brother, Ted, does his best to teach Jake and Rosa not all learning happens in the classroom. To survive, the three lean on each other like never before. Theodore Roosevelt once said, "When you're at the end of your rope, tie a knot and hold on." The knot the three teens metaphorically embrace is a mission. A mission where the teenagers plot to escape everyday life and get away with secret Jiu Jitsu practice nights.

240 pages, Paperback

Published November 1, 2020

Reviews

[Kelly Miller]

This is a difficult book for me to review. On the one hand, there are a number of engaging scenes of Rosa, her twin brother, and their friend Ted, who are home-schooled by Rosa's mother. On the other hand, a few things made me cringe. (Not the background info about dead ringers, that was cool; in fact, I enjoyed most of the historical information provided.)

The book starts with a prologue. I don't like prologues unless they are compelling action scenes. Otherwise, they are usually boring and/or unnecessary; background can be parsed out in other better ways. This prologue could easily have been cut, and starting the book with Chapter 1 would have been a vast improvement in my opinion. (The recipe in the prologue could easily be slipped in later.)

The prologue and Chapter 1 centered around Rosa and her family, but then Chapter 2 followed a new protagonist, a cruel young man named Hunter. (He gleefully makes fun of a baby-sitter hired by his mother who does not speak English well; he taunts the woman and purposefully calls her by the wrong name.) Hunter has a congressman father and a disinterested mother. Later, it becomes clear that Hunter is not really a major character, so why the author chose to spend so much time with him is a mystery to me.

Later, the author head hops from different characters in a jarring manner.

One of the scenes that turned my stomach occurred at a gay pride parade. Rosa, her brother, Ted & Rosa's grandparents walk by a parade participant. This person, later identified as Cookie, gets in one of the kid's way, forcing the kid to walk around. Rude, sure, but not enough to warrant what happens next. The otherwise kindly grandfather tells the kids in his care, "Keep learning your history and you won't become a rainbow-haired freak show who isn't a she." This remark was said loud enough to be heard by Cookie and led to a confrontation in which Cookie was shown to be hot-headed and violent. Police show up and thank grandfather for handling Cookie, the trouble-maker. But grandfather's behavior was despicable. The message conveyed in his statement is that anyone who differs from what is "normal" is deserving of disdain. With such an example of intolerance from a role model, no wonder 12-year-old Rose, while in a police station in a later scene, speculates that those who walk past her can hardly be called human.

The tone of the story is too-often preachy and the antagonism that the kids' mother faces for speaking out against a school bill she does not agree with is ridiculous, contrived, and unbelievable. A repetitive theme in this story is that this family is smart and everyone around them are ignorant. Another major theme is that home schooling is good and public schools are bad and inferior. Actual experiences will vary, but the teachers and administrators portrayed in this story are shown to be rude and unprofessional--unlike any I have ever encountered. My daughter and I both attended public schools; I could not afford to consider any other alternative. I asked my daughter, who is now an A-average student in college, if she would have preferred to attend either private school or to be home-schooled. (As a dance team member, she met kids with both experiences) She said no.

I was pleased and relieved to read a scene late in the story between Rosa and her mom in which they discuss gender-neutral bathrooms and the rainbow as a symbol of gay pride as positive things. This makes me hope that the author's intentions were good. Still, I do not agree with the choice to include a character like Cookie without having any other gay/trans characters to balance out that negative portrayal.

[C.J. Canterbury]

Mary Mulligan's Cadre Kids: Larceny is a thrilling and captivating story that will appeal to readers of all ages. The novel is the first in the Cadre Kids series, and it introduces readers to homeschooled fraternal-twin teenagers, Jake and Rosa. The siblings lead a peaceful life, learning from their strictest teacher, their mom. However, their world is turned upside down when a politician with a hidden agenda pushes for school choice, forcing them into the public eye and national headlines.

Mulligan's characters are compelling and relatable, and the plot is well-crafted and engrossing. The twins' intelligence and questioning nature are a refreshing change from typical teenage protagonists, and their older brother's guidance and support are heartwarming. The story is full of twists and turns that keep the reader engaged, and the subplot of secret Jiu Jitsu practice nights adds an exciting element to the story.

The author's writing style is clear and concise, making it easy for readers to visualize the story's events and settings. Mulligan's focus on the importance of family and the strength that can be found in leaning on each other is both inspiring and heartwarming. Overall, Cadre Kids: Larceny is a delightful read that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series.

In conclusion, Mary Mulligan's Cadre Kids: Larceny is a well-written and engaging novel that combines adventure, family, and education. The characters are well-drawn and relatable, and the plot is full of surprises and twists. I highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an exciting and thought-provoking read.

[Anita Dow]

This book is aimed at young teens and there are many elements of it that will appeal to the 12-16 age group, the same as the kids in the story. Being schooled at home, their parents have nurtured an interest in American history and the youngsters decide to set up a YouTube history channel. That part of the plot has strong appeal and works well, with the dialogue wholesome and age appropriate – and authentic for kids not exposed to typical school culture.

Several children have points of view in this book, which is fine for their part of the story. However, one or two of the adults have a voice too, mainly GTM (German Tiger Mom) who is a passionate home schooling mother trying to protest about legislation to ban home education in favour of schools where all students live away from home during the week. As a parent myself, who has worked in education, I found this a very interesting theme, but as it was written from the mother's point of view, I wonder how the intended younger readers will enjoy it. Of course, GTM's own children are involved in this issue, but sometimes the author uses them as mouthpieces to deliver information she wants us to know – mainly historical facts and political ideas – and then she has the children speaking in a quite formal, adult tone, a little as though they were reading from an information guide.

Towards the end of the book, when the children experience school life for the first time, the teachers and students they encounter are mean and unpleasant stereotypes – great fun for a young person's story, but did not fit well with the realistic and important education issues the author is highlighting. There are some big themes in this book: families, education, American history and politics – to name just a few – but the story felt somewhat muddled and I found it hard to understand who really is the intended audience. That's a shame since the writing is quite engaging and Ms Mulligan writes with enthusiasm about subjects which are clearly dear to her. There are plenty of scenes and plot points that young teenagers will find appealing, and they probably won't notice the issues that I did. Capable readers in the 12-16 age group with an interest in history, are most likely to enjoy this book, and may then want to investigate the rest of the series.

[Ginnine Josete]

I was up and down with this book.
I will begin by saying that I found the children’s characters to be interesting overall. I liked the way they teased each other good naturedly. I liked the fact that they were playful and interesting. They had well rounded personalities and they had unique interests that made them believable and made the reader want to invest the time in reading their story.
I loved the character of the mom in the way that she ruled the home with a tight fist but with her heart always in the right place. She consistently only wanted what was best for her family and you have to respect that about her character. I also appreciated her life choices.
The way the author weaves in history was well done and I applaud that in a book that’s meant for young people to read. There’s something wonderful about reading a book that makes you learn while, at the same time, entertaining you. The ghost stories were especially fun.
However, there were a couple of things in this books that left a sour taste in my mouth. There was a scene where the children come in contact with a person in a pride parade and some derogatory statements were made that made me very uncomfortable as the reader. I was glad that later in the book the mom has a conversation with the daughter in which she talks about rainbows representing equality for all genders and sexes. Did the one incident weigh equal with the other? I’m not sure. The first scene I mentioned was very jarring to me.
Another thing that left a bad taste in my mouth was the biased way in which the public school system was portrayed as being inferior to homeschooling in every way. Even the public school teachers were shown, for the most part, as being bullies and uncompromising. I don’t think either system is perfect but I also don’t think that the stark contrast is very reality based either. It leaves me wondering how it would make a young person who is schooled in public school feel about their own reality if they were to read this book.
On the plus side, the pace of the book was good. It moved along quickly and was fairly well written.

[Carmel Audsley]

There are a lot of themes running through this book. The rather cumbersome prologue introduces us to Jake and Rosa, who we learn along the way are twins, their brother Ted, and Piper, Hunter, Nikki and Abbey. It takes a while to work out where they all fit in, but we learn that Rosa is angry and has been excluded from the cadre (a well-chosen word which aptly describes the small group of people who share a purpose). The story becomes disjointed as it skips from what appears to be teenage squabbles to the serious subject of the suffering of Jewish people, facilitated by a memory of grandma, cooking cakes and a trip to Philadelphia. In Chapter one, we learn that Jake and Rosa are home-schooled and their right to be taught at home by their mother becomes the nut of the tale. Mum openly disagrees with a corrupt congressman about a bill that doesn’t recognise home-schooling. The teenagers’ characters develop as they are taken from their sheltered life and thrust into national headlines as their mum takes on the establishment. The story has merit for highlighting the need to stand up for individual rights. The home-schooling versus public schooling debate throws up the question of who is right and who is wrong, and the need to make room for varied opinions, all with valid points. It also peels away a layer from the ghost-hunting fun of youth to expose bad behaviour and preconceptions of a small group looking out at a world they don’t understand or even necessarily like. The story needs structural editing, and the writing could do with tightening as it becomes quite fragmented in places. For young readers who are old enough to take into account different points of view and learn from them, it is an exercise in presenting differing perspectives and allowing readers to make up their own minds, which is to be commended. Weaving historical facts throughout the story provides interest and education for the reader, and I found this a worthy addition to the book.

[Shawn]

In "Cadre Kids: Larceny" by Mary Mulligan, you are introduced to the world of Jake and Rosa, fraternal-twin teens who have been home-schooled their entire lives under the watchful eye of their strict but loving mother. At first glance, the story appears to be a simple coming-of-age tale, but as the plot unfolds, it takes on a more complex and engaging tone.

Mulligan brilliantly weaves together a narrative that tackles contemporary issues such as education reform, political agendas, and the power dynamics at play when change is proposed. As the family is thrust into the spotlight, the story takes an unexpected turn that keeps readers engaged and eager to discover what will happen next.

The characters are relatable, and Mulligan does an excellent job of portraying their strengths and weaknesses in a way that makes them feel genuine. Jake and Rosa, in particular, are well-developed protagonists, and their older brother, Ted, provides a unique perspective on the events unfolding around them. The story is not without its flaws, however. Some readers may find the pacing to be uneven at times, and certain plot points may feel somewhat contrived.

That said, "Cadre Kids: Larceny" is an enjoyable read that offers a fresh take on the coming-of-age genre. The book highlights the importance of family, the value of standing up for what you believe in, and the challenges that come with navigating the complexities of life in the public eye. With its mix of compelling characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel is sure to resonate with readers who appreciate a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.

[Christina Clarry]

Being an English adult reader, I was not the target audience for this book. Nevertheless I found it interesting on many levels.
There were frequent references to American History which had enough detail to arouse interest. Detailed descriptions were given of sites visited by the main protagonists e.g The Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. Perhaps young teenagers would be curious enough to visit these places, too, if opportunity presented itself.
The prologue was unwieldy, but do persevere as the characters introduced here are fleshed out later.
What worked extremely well was the dialogue between the teenagers. I especially liked the introduction of witty thoughts when they were interspersed throughout the dialogue.
The author doesn't tiptoe around political correctness which is exposed in the grandfather’s character/behaviour.
The main theme of the book is acted out on a political stage. The political protagonists are pro public schooling for all. They are opposed to the 'home schoolers'.
However, the strict, well-meaning mother of the three main teenage protagonists is 'home schooling' them with great academic success. She is drawn into a confrontational position in public in her efforts to defend her right to 'home school' her children.
I got the impression that the author favoured 'home schooling as well. She painted the politician, his son and aide in a negative light, but a good book requires villains.
Despite some lack of continuity, this book is well worth a read.

[J-Ann]

Pre-Teen Twin Rivaly and Politics

The story follows pre-teen twins, Rosa and Jake, each quite opposite to the other right from the get-go. Starting with a summer vacation, the reader gains insight to their personalities and their unique family. Their mother, a dedicated homeschooler, is inadvertently caught up into a political roil over an education bill about to be passed that seems to not only target home schoolers but also will force all children to public boarding schools Monday thru Friday. The twins mother (sporting a unique nickname) is made an example of in dirty political antics; the impacts of which deepen the plot and the curious, intelligent minds of the children.

I found the ‘oogling’ of young Jake over a (self-serving) attractive political aide 10 years his senior and the bratty son of the politician who eventually gets involved in the twins circle to be entertaining twists.

As I had already read the author’s “Illusion”, this book, “Larceny” she’s some light on the many characters - I would recommend reading “Larceny” first Roget a richer rating experience.

An interesting journey for sure, for the children and the reader.

[Jerold Last]

Home schooling, perverse political agendas, family values, ghost stories, and food are featured prominently in this sprawling but mostly interesting novel. The author has some pretty strong points of view about contemporary issues such as public versus home schooling, lifestyle and gender issues, and child raising which drive the narrative and hopefully make the reader think about these complex societal issues. The strengths of the book are in its characters, especially the children, and its author’s obvious passion for home schooling. Negatives include too many characters, several points being repetitive, multiple points of view without a clear choice of central character in several chapters causing a lack of focus, and multiple genres being mixed which can confuse the reader, or at least confused me. For example, the foodie themes were overdone and distracting, especially a recipe interrupting the early narrative. This is a first novel, and the author is still learning her craft, suggesting a need for sharper focus and more editing and/or proofreading in subsequent books.

[Melanie]

This was an enjoyable read with some well-fleshed-out characters that I connected to from the beginning. (I also really liked the little illustrations!). The idea of the book is also interesting, and I am a huge proponent of the idea of writing fiction and adventure for teens in a way that educates them as well. Where the book fell short for me was in the execution. The writing was fine, but it could’ve benefited from some editing, both in structure and grammar. While I usually skip over a few choppy sentences, there were quite a few, and I often had to go back when scenes switched to figure out where exactly I was in the story. All this said, I did enjoy the book. It’s a cool way to include “history-textbook-info” in a fun and engaging read for a younger audience, and I think with some tweaks here and there, it’d be easily a 4 or 5 star read for me.