Overview
Josh is less than thrilled that he has a new stepfather, and finds his personal habits—and his personality—irritating. When his mother leaves town, Josh is left to spend a week alone with Clay. Resenting his new living arrangements and his unorthodox home life, Josh finds himself drawn to the idea of a "regular" family and, on a whim, sneaks into a neighbor's house to see how others live. When another opportunity arises to be a fly on the wall, Josh takes it and finds himself becoming bolder. Considering it a harmless pastime, Josh continues entering people's houses, until he is witness to a violent home invasion. Josh must use all his courage to save himself and bring the home invader to justice.Synopsis
I was turning the corner to my street when I spotted the key. Because of the way the sun was shining, it glistened. Someone had left it right in the lock of their front door. The house was a small red brick cottage that looked a lot like ours. I walked up the front stairs and raised my finger to the doorbell. My plan was to let whoever lived there know they'd forgotten the key. I didn't ring the doorbell. I turned the doorknob and let myself in. Josh is less than thrilled that he has a new stepfather, and finds his personal habits-and his personality-irritating. When his mother leaves town, Josh is left to spend a week alone with Clay. Resenting his new living arrangements and his unorthodox home life, Josh finds himself drawn to the idea of a "regular" family and, on a whim, sneaks into a neighbor's house to see how others live. When another opportunity arises to be a fly on the wall, Josh takes it and finds himself becoming bolder. Considering it a harmless pastime, Josh continues entering people's houses, until he is witness to a violent home invasion. Josh must use all his courage to save himself and bring the home invader to justice. Monique Polak is the author of No More Pranks, an Orca Soundings novel. Monique lives in Montreal.
Teri S. Lesesne - VOYA
He does not know why he does it. Lately, even with the news of a home invader breaking into houses while the residents are home, Josh finds himself entering people's homes uninvited and unannounced. Maybe he just wants to see how "normal" families live now that his mother has remarried. Perhaps it is just the lure of the open window or the key left in the door. Whatever the reason, Josh soon lands square in the middle of a real break-in. Reluctant and struggling readers will enjoy this fast-paced story from the Orca Soundings series. Short chapters, easily accessible language, and a swiftly moving plot combine to make this book and the series popular with teens. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Orca, 105p., Trade pb. Ages 11 to 15.
Editorials
CM Magazine
"It's a good read! Recommended."Hip Librarians Book Blog
"A tightly written [book] about developing new relationships, learning to trust, and taking responsibility...Like other Soundings titles, Home Invasion presents a realistic teen with a problem that lends itself well to discussion."Montreal Review of Books
"The author's two ways of addressing the issue of home invasion are clever and insightful."Resource Links
"This book captures the thrill of spying on someone without their knowledge as well as giving tips on home security."KLIATT
Josh is going through a lot of changes. His mother has married a spacey artist named Clay; Josh is unimpressed by Clay's looks ("He's got chipmunk cheeks and this weird cowlick that looks like a rhino's horn") and even less by his humor. What's worse is that Clay calls him "Kiddo"--what's that all about? Josh longs for a normal family and ignores Clay. Instead, he spends a great deal of time walking around town and looking into the lighted windows of houses at night. One day he spots a set of keys left in a front door and instead of returning the keys he uses the opportunity to go into the house and secretly watch the people. He finds himself doing this more often--like an addiction, he feels driven to see how other families are living. In this process he stumbles upon some unexpected situations. As Josh is doing this, the police are on high alert for an actual home invader who is robbing and terrorizing people. In a bizarre set of circumstances, the home invader and Josh meet during a frightening robbery. Josh actually becomes something of a hero, but his secret is out. This is a short little book with a lot going on; it will definitely appeal to YAs, especially reluctant readers. Josh's voice is convincing as he struggles with his family, his girlfriend, and other personal issues. KLIATT Codes: JS--Recommended for junior and senior high school students. 2005, Orca, Soundings, 105p., Ages 12 to 18.—Sally Tibbetts
VOYA
He does not know why he does it. Lately, even with the news of a home invader breaking into houses while the residents are home, Josh finds himself entering people's homes uninvited and unannounced. Maybe he just wants to see how "normal" families live now that his mother has remarried. Perhaps it is just the lure of the open window or the key left in the door. Whatever the reason, Josh soon lands square in the middle of a real break-in. Reluctant and struggling readers will enjoy this fast-paced story from the Orca Soundings series. Short chapters, easily accessible language, and a swiftly moving plot combine to make this book and the series popular with teens. VOYA CODES: 3Q 4P M J (Readable without serious defects; Broad general YA appeal; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2005, Orca, 105p., Trade pb. Ages 11 to 15.—Teri S. Lesesne