Thieving Weasels

What a terrific book. I have 2 daughters that are in college now, so we read all of the big YA literature the last 20 years, including (of course) the Harry Potter series, The Hunger Games series, and Twilight. Thieving Weasels rates with the very best of them for entertainment. I would compare it favorably with the book Holes by Louis Sachar, which is saying a lot, because he is probably our favorite author. Elements of this book will be entertaining and thought provoking for a wide range of ages, up to and including adults. I highly recommend it, and I will probably read it again and possibly expound on this review in the future!

I am an adult reader who enjoyed the author's previous work, Based on The Movie. That book is definitely for adults. This book is aimed at YA readers and I think it's just right for them. The protagonist is a senior in high school, so that gives some idea of the age range for the book. This book lives in the world of a (generally) low-life criminal family whose specialty is cons and scams, but it's a fast paced and funny book. While the tone could easily have turned dark, Taylor's light touch keeps the book from being a brutal and depressing downer. If you've read Billy Taylor before, you will recognize his voice, but this time he has a smart, quick-minded narrator who does a much better job of keeping it together when things get hairy. If you are a parent reading this review, there's nothing here that is even as rough as your typical network TV drama, but this is a comedy anyway. If you are a YA, don't be put off by that last sentence! It doesn't feel like it's a soft book for kids who can't take it. It's too smart for that.

What a fabulous read! If his family are thieving weasels, then Skip is a thoroughly likable, recovering scoundrel who deserves nothing more than a break. I could not put this book down, and as a 47-year old woman, I'm hardly the target audience. That says a lot for Billy Taylor's ability to weave an intriguing and engaging plot with characters of great depth and shallow morals. In short, I loved it and will now reluctantly relinquish my copy to my daughter, but only if she promises to return it.

The book came as described and my son who isn't necessarily a willing reader has read it three times now.

Fun read. I cared about the main character from the very beginning and somehow related to his life even when I had nothing similar in mine. It didn't matter, it's so well written. Enjoy!

I gave this book to my daughter for her birthday, and she loved it! Funny story and good characters.

A fun read for the young and old!

Hilarious, deeply moving, stunningly three-dimensional, and unlikely anything I've ever read - this book is a must read. Written with killer pacing and beautiful words, it touches on identity, image, family issues, and other themes, and is perfect for just about any reader. I could not put down this book. Taylor makes it so easy to really like the protagonist, to sympathize with him, and to root for him all the way through to the end. In the vein of novels like Andrew Smith, I highly recommend this book. Just. Wow. I will carry Skip and all the other characters with me for years! Fantastic! Really hoping that more YA novels take an approach to discussing issues like THIEVING WEASELS! (@mrjaycoles)