Thieving Weasels

August 22, 2016
Adult author Taylor's (Based on a Movie) first book for teens quickly draws sympathy for Cam Smith, a graduating high school senior who works at the cafeteria to afford tuition at his private boarding school. Cam may have his sights set on Princeton, but he is anything but privilegedâhe ran away from his con-artist family in hopes of starting over and pursuing a normal life. Now that the family has tracked Cam down and wants his help on their latest scheme, Cam's above-board life is in jeopardy. Taylor's charactersâincluding gun-toting, tough-talking, biscotti-eating Uncle Wonderful; Hummer-driving, disability-fraudulent Vinny; and conscience-free cousin Royâwill feel plenty familiar to fans of the con-artist/tough guy genre. Taylor puts Cam in an impossible position, unable to trust anyone (especially if they're family) and uncertain whether he can escape his past. As Cam tries to juggle the nefarious demands of his relatives and his own respectable ambitions, Taylor's comedic crime novel entertains with its madcap, rapid-fire antics. Ages 12âup. Agent: Uwe Stender, TriadaUS Literary.

June 1, 2016
Cam Smith has only one wish: to escape his criminal family. He has managed to get himself into the prestigious Wheaton Preparatory Academy and plans to go to Princeton when his family shows up to ruin everything.Cam's life at his school is going splendidly, with a wonderful, rich girlfriend, Claire, who doesn't know about his thieving family or that his real name is Skip O'Rourke. It's all upended when Uncle Wonderful, now the head of the family, essentially kidnaps him and forces him to come home, telling him that his mother tried to commit suicide and now is in the hospital. It turns out that his mom and the family want to involve Cam in a complicated scam that has him killing an old mobster who had murdered their mark's family. Cam is too smart to trust any of his family, including his mother, but decides to follow through--or at least to appear to do so. All the while he wonders who the family's real victim might be: the mark, the mobster, or himself. Can Cam find a way to win after all? Writing in Cam's oh-so-suspicious voice, Taylor milks the plot for comedy, delivering plenty of dark humor. His white, gangster characters come across as more than a bit stereotypical, but it all helps to set up the laughs. A diverting caper comedy. (Thriller. 12-18)

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June 1, 2016

Gr 8 Up-"Always know your mark. And if you don't know who your mark is...it's probably YOU." Raised by crooks, Skip O'Rourke engineered an escape from the family and conned his way into prestigious Wheaton Academy. He's just been accepted to Princeton when the family tracks him down and makes an unwelcome proposition: help with one final job, or have his cover blown for good. Skip unwillingly agrees, but as the plans are laid to "off" Fat Nicky Gangliosi, the teen becomes more and more aware that this endeavor isn't about aging gangsters at all-it's all about revenge, and he's the target. Luckily, it takes a con man to take down a con man, and Skip's been trained by the best. The protagonist is an engaging narrator, and readers will soon be convinced that he really is trying to avoid a life of crime. It's almost eerie how much this story resembles Joe Schreiber's Con Academy, also about a good-hearted kid raised by crooks who attends a prestigious prep school and is forced into one last action by the family lowlifes. This novel will be an easy sell for teens who enjoyed Con Academy, but don't buy it expecting character development or social commentary. Still, a fun choice for readers tired of angsty YAs. VERDICT Purchase where Jude Watson's Loot and Mary Elizabeth Summer's Trust Me, I'm Lying are popular.-Elizabeth Friend, Wester Middle School, TX

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