Rogers, Andrea L. Art Thieves, The. Levine Querido, 10/2024. 400pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-6461-4378-8. GRADES 8–12. ADDITIONAL.
In the near future, Stevie navigates her changing life after high school with her friends, a younger brother she cares for, and a new intern (Adam) at the art museum where she works at the gift shop. She is Cherokee, living in the suburbs of a big city in Texas, and best friends with Jess (non-binary) and Loren (she/her). There are a lot subtopics going on, both in the world at large (heat, drought, big storms) and her personal life. Her brother has life-threatening allergies, her parents are being secretive, and she is nearly taken advantage of by an older man she trusted, all while she becomes romantically interested in Adam. The plot uses time travel to examine too many topics, including the end of society and repatriation of Native Nations artifacts from museums. But abrupt plot changes leave many gaps and questions, along with a growing number of time paradoxes. Maybe after examining the past and the future, the reader will think differently about living in the present. Review based on an ARC.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library