Julia Owen: Snapped

Sometimes kids go off the rails. Shawney didn't understand why she started shoplifting, but once she started, she couldn't stop. Eventually, of course, she gets into serious trouble.

While we come to understand the difficult things happening in her life that led to her becoming a thief, the book doesn't excuse her actions on those grounds. Reparations must still be made, and she discovers that not everyone is ready to forgive her straight away. A strong story, sensitively told.

Scholastic

$13.95