Angel Thieves – Kathi Appelt, A Caitlyn Dlouhy Book /Atheneum Books for Young Readers, (9781442421097), 2019
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 1-5 (5 is an excellent or a Starred review) 4.5
Genre: Historical and Realistic Fiction
What did you like about the book? This unique and wonderfully-written story switches from 1836 and 1845 to the present day in alternating tellings. The reader realizes this wondering just how they are going to connect to one another. In present time, 16-year-old Cade lives with his father, Paul, who has raised him by himself ever since he was born. We also go back the sixteen years to Cade’s birth which alternates with the present day. Miraculously 16-year-old Paul finds Mrs. Walker and her antique store where he is not only given a job but an apartment for himself and baby Cade. Whenever money is desperately needed, an angel statue is stolen form a cemetery which is then sold.
Back in 1845, Juba, a slave, is given her freedom when her “master” dies – but her two young daughters, (the master using her as he pleased from the age of 12) aged 3 and 5 – – are promised elsewhere. Juba gathers her daughters and escapes through the Bayou, if you can imagine walking through mud and water with such young children – the daughters’ owner coming after them with dogs.
And Zorra, the young ocelot captured to be sold or killed and living in a tiny, dirty cage and fed only occasionally – until a flood strikes carrying her away locked in the cage (for me, this was the very saddest part).
And like a jigsaw puzzle the stories come together.
Anything you did not like about the book. I felt it could have been shortened some -especially the horrible plight of Zorra.
To whom would you recommend this book? This would make a good classroom read for grades 6 and up. There is much for discussion given the historical aspects of slavery, the plight of single parenting and the abuse of animals captured for the exotic pet trade. Also for kids who like their stories filled with pathos, love and conflict.
Who should buy this book? Middle school, high school and public libraries
Where would you shelve it? YA fiction
Should we (librarians) put this on the top of our “to read” piles? Very near the top
Reviewer’s Name, Library (or school), City: Katrina Yurenka, Manager, Youth Services Book Review
Date of review: 5/1/2019
Youth Services Book Review 
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