Consumer Critique: The Car Thief

I don't often get a chance to read fiction books, so I enjoyed having the opportunity to review The Car Thief. The list of topics in the front page - juvenile delinquency, stealing cars, youth detention - intrigued me, as I don't have much experience in those areas. The book follows Alex Housman, a troubled teen who has stolen fourteen cars, and his father, a divorced night shift worker.

As a high school teacher, I enjoy reading books about adolescents and teens. I find this age group fascinating, particularly when they have experiences so different from my own. This book, set in the 1950s, can be described as a coming-of-age novel, and if you like that type of book, it's a great read. If you like reading about blue-collar families, troubled teens who struggle to find themselves, stories about father-son relationships - all of those themes are in this book.

It's a very easy read - perfect for summer reading, so if you're looking for a nice book that's easy to get through but still somewhat thought-provoking, this would fit the bill.

Disclosure: I received a complimentary e-copy of the book to facilitate this review.