Bank Job

May 15, 2009
Grades 5-7 Inspired by a newspaper account of three Vancouver teens who robbed seven banks, Heneghan and Charles create a satisfying moral tale of foster children who will do anything to keep their family together. Young teens Nell, Billy, and Tom call themselves the Three Musketeersdespite their differences in ethnicity and interests, they are all for one and one for all. However, they may be removed from their loving foster home because there arent enough bathrooms for the large family. Hearing their foster parents need $10,000 to make the necessary home improvements, the teens start robbing banks, stealing more than $5,000 before they confess their crimes. Both the teens moral conflicts and the robbery scenes are described in gripping detail. The effects of peer pressure and the desire to please those we love and admire are clearly illustrated. While not condoning robbery, Heneghan and Charles make valuable points about the importance of family, especially a family of choice, in young peoples lives. Short sentences, clear and direct writing, and tense situations make this an excellent choice for reluctant readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)