Sleight of Hand

by Natasha Deen

Overview

On a dare from his girlfriend's brother, Javvan steals a neighbor's car. Now he’s got a criminal record and a bigger problem: get a job or violate his parole. Endless interviews later and no one will hire him because of his criminal record. Whatever happened to a second chance? Finally, he gets a gig with a contractor named Kevin, and Javvan figures his life is on an upswing. Too bad Kevin’s a thief and he’s given Javvan one choice. Help him steal, or he’ll make sure Javvan ends up back in jail.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781459811225
Publisher:	Orca Book Publishers
Publication date:	11/03/2015
Series:	Orca Soundings Series
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	144
Lexile:	HL510L (what's this?)
File size:	682 KB
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

About the Author

Natasha Deen loves stories: exciting ones, scary ones and, especially, funny ones! As a kid of two countries (Guyana and Canada), she feels extra lucky because she gets a double dose of stories. Natasha is the author of many books including the Lark Ba series in the Orca Echoes line, Depth of Field in the Orca Soundings line and In the Key of Nira Ghani which won the Amy Mathers Book Award and was nominated for the Red Maple, MYRCA and R. Ross Arnett Awards. Natasha lives in Edmonton.

Editorial Reviews

"A compelling story...Addressing issues of learning from making mistakes, the danger of making snap judgments about people, and the importance of standing up for oneself, Deen’s Sleight of Hand encourages critical thinking and compassion between the pages of an exciting story of crime. She has done a beautiful job of relating to youth and getting “on their side” while subtly weaving in valuable life lessons that readers can take away and apply to their own lives...An entertaining addition to any young reader’s library!"

CM Magazine

"A fast-paced, high-interest offering for reluctant young adult readers. Here, too, are serious lessons to learn: how to be responsible, knowing whom to trust, and how the restorative-justice process works."

Booklist

"A fast-paced narrative with some interesting plot twists. It explores the possibilities of abuse and corruption in our criminal justice system."

Resource Links

"A fast-paced, high-interest offering for reluctant young adult readers. Here, too, are serious lessons to learn: how to be responsible, knowing whom to trust, and how the restorative-justice process works."

Booklist

09/01/2015
Gr 8 Up—Focusing on protagonists confronted with difficult choices, these slim novels pack a punch. Off the Grid involves Cody, whose parents raised him in the wilderness. When the family must return to civilization, Cody finds himself the ultimate square peg in a round hole and contemplates abandoning his parents in order to go back to the world he knows. Sleight of Hand centers on Javvan, whose criminal record makes finding a job impossible, until he meets Kevin. Now he faces a dilemma: help Kevin with a criminal scheme or go back to jail. In Foolproof, 17-year-old Daniel thinks that beautiful Cyn is the girl of his dreams, but he soon learns that he's no more than a means to an end: a way to help her move drugs. Written at a third-to-fourth-grade reading level but focusing on tough themes and subjects that will resonate with adolescents, these titles will immerse readers; the writing is to the point and immediate, the print size large, and the covers darkly enticing.

School Library Journal

2015-08-26
Javvan, an immigrant to Canada from India, only wanted to impress a girl, but her brother gets him arrested for stealing a car. Javvan's strict probation officer, Mary, insists he get a job, but with his arrest record, Javvan can't find work. Mary steers him toward Kevin, owner of a construction company. Kevin seems like a good guy, but Javvan soon learns that along with his legal construction work, Kevin also steals from his clients—and promises to frame Javvan if he doesn't go along with the scheme. Trapped, Javvan finally tells his little brother, Sammy. An enthusiastic would-be magician, Sammy comes up with a way for Javvan to get evidence against Kevin. But can Javvan learn the sleight of hand he'll need in time? And if he pulls it off, whom can he trust to help him clear his name? Deen keeps her prose simple but the suspense clicking along in this brief novella. Javvan comes across as a nicely believable character, too flustered by his dilemma to think straight much of the time. She adds depth with Javvan's family, as his dishonorable act has earned him extra opprobrium. A brief but powerful look at a teen in trouble. (Fiction. 10-18)

Kirkus Reviews