The Prisoner of Snowflake Falls

April 30, 2012
Slow pacing and a frontloaded back-story undercut Lekich's (King of the Lost and Found) coming-of-age novel about a teenage thief who finds redemption. Raised by his uncle Andy in a community of minor miscreants following his mother's death, Henry learned the art of picking locks at a young age. When Andy is sent to prison, Henry avoids the foster care system by living in a tree house, surviving by breaking into neighbors' houses and stealing bits of food. Somewhat improbably, Henry's conscience won't allow him to take more than he needs, and in exchange for what he does take, he often performs light chores. Upon getting caught, Henry is sentenced to a program called Second Chances, which places him in the town of Snowflake Falls, where he is to live with the puzzling and eccentric Wingate family. The quirky, small-town charactersâespecially brainy, socially awkward 11-year-old Charlotteâprovide lively dialogue, humor, and an opportunity for Henry to become more fully developed, but readers may tire of Henry's heavy reminiscing about his upbringing throughout the first half before the core plot comes into play. Ages 12âup.

May 1, 2012

Gr 8 Up-Fifteen-year-old Henry's mother has died; his guardian, his Uncle Andy (a very nice small-time crook), is in jail, and Henry is trying to stay out of the foster care system by making it on his own. He's living in an abandoned tree house and stealing to get by. But don't get the wrong idea. Henry is a considerate thief: cleaning houses, putting money into piggy banks, and never taking birthday cake. When he eventually gets caught, his good-natured thoughtfulness saves him from incarceration. He is sentenced to a rehabilitation program in tiny Snowflake Falls on Northern Vancouver Island. Living with a foster family, working several part-time jobs, and volunteering as a reader for a cranky old man all lead to wacky high jinks and some lessons for Henry. The first half of the book moves at a leisurely pace, establishing the teen as a truly sympathetic character despite his criminal tendencies. The second half, set in Snowflake Falls, has more action. There are plenty of amusing parts and the language, especially in scenes with Uncle Andy and his cohorts, is playful and Runyon-esque. All of the small time crooks come off as friendly old guys; there is never a hint of menace to them. This is a charming, funny coming-of-age story with terrific writing, characters to root for, and a completely satisfying ending to a silly caper.-Geri Diorio, Ridgefield Library, CT

Copyright 2012 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.