What readers think of Stealing, plus links to write your own review.

This is an exceptional, imaginative, and emotionally searing novel about the dangers of prejudice, the impact of hate, the wounds of injustice, and the small victims whose lives are never the same.

Brilliantly written by Pulitzer Prize finalist Margaret Verble, this is the story of third-grader Kit Crockett. It's the 1950s, deep in the South, near the Arkansas River. Kit's father is a descendant of Davy Crockett, and her mother, who died two years earlier, was a Cherokee Indian. Kit and her grieving father live deep in the country. She spends her time reading Nancy Drew mysteries, tending to the garden, and waiting for the Tuesday morning visit from the bookmobile. She and her father are both incredibly lonely and unable to reach out to each other. One day as Kit is going to the bayou to fish for their dinner, she sees that someone has moved into a nearby cabin that was once occupied by her Uncle Joe. That someone turns out to be Bella, a beautiful and mysterious young woman. She and Kit become fast friends. Although Kit is unaware of it, Bella is a prostitute, entertaining two men in her small home. And then one day, Bella is murdered and somehow Kit's dad is in jail. After living with the local evangelical preacher and his wife, Kit is shipped off—against her will—to a Christian boarding school that feels more like a prison than a school as she is treated with disdain and indoctrinated with Christian instruction she resents. When Kit gets in trouble and is sent to the office, the most horrific thing happens.

Here is the genius of this book: While the summary I wrote above is linear, the book is meant to be Kit's journal that she writes (now in sixth grade) while confined in the school/prison and the timeline jumps all over the place. Instead of being confusing, it becomes a fascinating and gripping tale told with insight and introspection about the injustice of Kit's life being stolen from her. As adults, we know things about Kit's experiences that she is unable to understand as a child, and that is even more heartbreaking.

I only have one criticism: The ending is abrupt, but that is probably the point. It forces the reader to use a bit of imagination to continue the story.

This is excellent storytelling, transporting the reader to another time and place.

Terrific read. Louis Eldridge fans should love this one.

One of my favorite books in a long time. I am bringing it to my book club next month. I think they will love it.

WOW. If you have any heart at all, this book will break it into a million pieces. This story is told by a 1950s era Cherokee nine year old girl who is done wrong by every white adult she meets. This is a book for people who like an unreliable narrator (my favorite kind) and a gritty, believable story. There were times I was so moved by her horrific life that I actually had to pause to take a breath.

Kit reminds me of Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Feisty and smart. Enduring multiple tragedies, she continues to fight back. Highly recommended book.

Kit Crockett, a Cherokee teenager, in the hands and pen of Margaret Verble, leaves a personal journal written while in an orphanage. Kit tells us how she got there and what she endured. Kit reveals the many levels of stealing a heart, a soul, a culture, a family and steals a place in the reader's heart during the telling. Verble is a wonderful weaver of stories and embodies the thinking, feeling and language of a sensitive, intelligent girl. I heartily recommend this book to any reader willing to plow through the ugliness and accept a beautiful child into their heart.

As a lover of the novel "Where the Crawdads Sing", my interest was piqued in the first few pages of Stealing. I am a member of the Baby Boomer Generation and subsequently this powerful tale set in the 1950's seemed familiar to me. During my pre-teen years I read the entire series of Nancy Drew Mysteries and identified with her (with the exception of me not owning a red roadster!)

The theme of stripping Native Americans of their heritage was powerfully narrated by the protagonist, Kim Crockett. The abuse endured by Native American children forced to attend boarding schools is a story that needs to be told.

As a resident of Wisconsin and former resident of New Mexico I have heard firsthand from Native Americans about situations that took place in the 1950's. Today I see art and educational events trying to bridge the gap between then and now. Specifically, the Milwaukee Art Museum is opening an exhibition in February titled "Native America in Translation." The exhibition will explore indigenous histories, cultures and representation through contemporary photography.
Earlier this year the Madison Public Library sponsored their first Native American Storyteller-in-residence to explain tribal customs and traditions to the community at large and to students of all ages. I am optimistic the transfer of knowledge will positively foster the importance of understanding the Native American culture as it was in the past and the influence it has on society today.

This is easily one of the best books I have read all year. Spoken in the voice of an 11 year old girl, it is so real and readable. It deals with a half American Indian girl who gets involved in a tragic crime and winds up in one of the terrible homes that were meant to "Americanize" Native Americans. Eye opening and shameful. But I read this in two days. My only gripe is I would have like an ending that was more concrete. For those who liked Where the Crawdads Sings, and even, To Kill a Mockingbird. Do not miss this one!