December 1, 2021
Stuck between his perfect older sister and cheerful and adorable little brother, a misbehaving middle child takes on a challenge that leads to change. Hector is a troubled 10-year-old, frequently stuck in detention and bullying others for the admiration of his friends. Hector's first-person narration takes readers inside his thought processes as he impulsively takes a shopping cart holding the possessions of a homeless man named Thomas, accidentally dumping it into a nearby lake. Meanwhile, thieves have been stealing statues throughout London, leaving clues implicating homeless people. These two storylines become intertwined as Hector mistakenly blames Thomas for the crimes. The repercussions draw Hector out of his selfish world: To fix the mess he has created, he needs the begrudging help of Mei-Li, his teacher's-pet classmate. Together, the unlikely threesome of Hector, Mei-Li, and Thomas discovers the thieves' patterns, but who will believe them? Ra�f unpacks the problem of labeling people, helping Hector to see beyond appearances, including his own view of himself. The importance of trying to catch the thieves in the act quickens the pace and results in a tidy ending with a clear moral message. Hector's personal growth remains a work in progress. Thomas and his community of friends are portrayed with respect and dignity. Mei-Li presents as Chinese; Hector and Thomas are racially indeterminate. An admirable vehicle for introducing readers to the subject of homelessness. (bullying information and resources, guide to chapter heading symbols, author's note) (Fiction. 8-12)
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February 28, 2022
When 10-year-old bully Hector witnesses the theft of an artifact by London thieves who have been implicating unhoused people in their crimes, he publicly accuses Thomas—an unhoused man whose belongings Hector once pushed into a lake—of perpetrating the crime. When he realizes he’s made a mistake, Hector connects with classmate and teacher’s pet Mei-Li as well as Thomas’s best friend, and learns to cooperate with others to break a code and discover the culprit. Though Hector’s actions are at first entirely self-serving, his transition into a kinder and more aware person is welcome, with Raúf (The Star Outside My Window) providing credible opportunities for the protagonist’s growth, including time spent volunteering in a soup kitchen and conversations with members of the unhoused community he serves. A focus on Hector’s increasing understanding of the consequences of his actions—and readers’ growing enlightenment of the experiences that contribute to his frequently cruel behavior—showcase the importance of compassion and forgiveness. Character ethnicity and race are unspecified throughout. Back matter includes a discussion of bullying and housing insecurity, and an author’s note. Ages 10–up. Agent: Silvia Molteni, PFD (U.K.).