Stealing Our Way Home

by Cecilia Galante

Saying goodbye is never easy.

Everything changed after Pippa and Jack's mother died last spring. Pippa stopped speaking, Jack started picking fights, and their father's struggling business began to fail. Now, with school starting again, Pippa doesn't know how she'll manage a class presentation on Spartan warriors when she can't even find the words to tell her father that she wishes he were home more. And Jack is struggling to understand his feelings for the mysterious girl next door.

But when Jack and Pippa realize that their dad is getting so desperate for cash to keep the family afloat that he might be going to extreme -- and illegal -- lengths to make ends meet, they are faced with the biggest decision of their lives. How far are they willing to go to keep their family together?

Stealing Our Way Home is a poignant, deeply affecting novel about falling apart, finding your voice, and the power of letting go.

Genres: Realistic Fiction, Contemporary, Juvenile, Death, Family, Middle Grade, Young Adult

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 27, 2017

About the author

Cecilia Galante is the author of several middle grade, young adult and adult novels. She also teaches 8th grade English at Wyoming Seminary Prep School, and teaches creative writing in the MFA program at Wilkes University.

Reviews

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 5 out of 5]

Galante, Cecilia Stealing our Way Home 294 pgs, Scholastic Press, $16.99 Language: G(0 swear, 0 “F”); Mature Content: PG; Violence: G-PG;

After their mother died of cancer, Jack and Pippa faced problems. Jack would pick up more fights and Pippa stopped talking. Now that school is starting up, they find that their family funds are not high in numbers. When Jack and Pippa uncover a crazy secret, they don’t know who to trust. Can the family of three come back together, or will they be separated by secrets?

I really liked this book. It showed the resilience of the human spirit and just how far some people will go to keep their family together. Mature content is PG because there is talk of illegal activities and the things that weigh people down. Violence is G-PG because there are some fights but it doesn’t go into descriptions.

MS - ESSENTIAL Student Reviewer:JM (9th grade)
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2017...

[Scarlett Sylvia]

In the story Stealing Our Way Home, Jack and Pippa Kendall’s mom has died and it has changed their lives completely. Pippa has stopped talking and Jack has started picking fights. Their dad’s business is starting to deteriorate along with his money. Pippa and Jack’s dad is desperate for money and will do anything to get some, even if it’s illegal.
I think the author, Cecilia Galante did a great job of making you feel sympathy for the characters. She also made me feel like I was sitting there watching it all happen. I felt like I knew the characters. One thing that I think the author didn’t do well was she didn’t tell us the fate of one of the characters, which I really wanted to know about.
If I could be one of the characters in the book I would be Nibs. She is creative and she would always be there for Pippa. Nibs is very sympathetic. She is a moral compass, Nibs always sticks up for the right thing.
I would recommend this book because it made me feel a lot of emotion for the characters and I felt like I was there. Sometimes it would make me wonder what I would do if i were in that situation. It is a excellent book about a family who has lost almost everything but each other and again, I would definitely recommend this book.

[renee · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.8 ⭐️ for a book i got at the book fair in like 4th grade it’s actually really good

[Melanie Dulaney · Rating 4 out of 5]

This title, with its very unique spin on a family dealing with the loss of a mother, will definitely appeal to those in grades 5-8 who enjoy the "sad-happy" type of book . Alternating between the perspectives of siblings Pippa and Jack, readers are able to see below the surface of the fact that mom has died, leaving grief and debt. Pippa is a fourth grade girl who has stopped talking since the day her mom died and feels that loss in a very obvious way. But she is also losing her dad to his own grief and his inability to keep his family's financial head above water. Dad is withdrawing physically and emotionally from his children, is seldom home, and making decisions that go against his moral standards. Jack, the eldest child, wants to fix both his sister and his father, but does not have the tools to affect much change in either of them. He, too, is reeling after his mother's death and seems to have lost a best friend, but maybe gained a new one who has challenges of her own. Along with the grieving family, Galante gives us a quirky neighbor named Nibs and new girl in town, Shelby. All five characters are well-developed and have critical roles in the disintegration and rebuilding of the Kendall family. I highly recommend this book, but will warn my library patrons that the beginning is slow and seems to wallow in the sadness for a time, but if they are patient, the story will grab them and move them along to a very satisfying, but not fairy-tale perfect, ending. (Review of digital ARC from Edelweiss Above the Treeline)

[Yz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Such a sweet, sincere, story that just tears at all your emotions!

[American Mensa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stealing Our Way Home is a realistic fiction book about a family living on Lake Saint Catherine in gorgeous Vermont. Pippa, a fourth grade girl and Jack, a seventh grade boy are dealing with the loss of their mother to stomach cancer in their own ways. Pippa has stopped talking and communicates through writing on a notepad or gestures, isolating herself from everyone. Jack fights and quarrels with his friends leading to unnecessary chaos. They are unprepared to start the new school year that fall, trying to get acclimated to a life without their mother.
The father, Sam Kendall, is struggling to cope with the untimely loss of his wife. His car sales business, the only source of income for the Kendall family is falling apart. The bills are piling up and he is desperate for cash. He resorts to illegal ways to meet the family’s financial needs. Jack feels like his dad is going to extremes with doing the wrong thing for the right reason. Will Jack ever work up the courage to tell his dad to stop, or will their family be forced to live a life of crime to survive?

Apart from all this, a talkative, new girl in town, Shelby, captures Jack’s attention and he likes her instantly. It turns out, though, that Shelby has a few secrets of her own, Jack may not be the only one trapped with a troubled past. As Jack and Shelby befriend one another, they realize they have more in common than they think. All the while, Pippa is having misgivings about her dad’s sketchy ways of making ends meet, but can she find a way to show him that honesty is always best? Let alone being able to communicate with her father, will Pippa ever regain her voice? However, hope still remains. A kindly neighbor, Nibs, has a green thumb and a big heart to help Jack and Pippa by babysitting them. Nibs was also a great friend to their mother whom she misses a lot. Will Jack, Pippa and their father be able to catch the rays of hope that come by, pick up all the pieces, and save their family?

I give this book 5 stars as the author Cecilia Galante excellently weaves the story showing different characters’ reaction to pain, loss and grief. She narrates the story in switching perspectives of Pippa and Jack that makes it absorbing and interesting for the reader. Her vivid descriptions of the lake and surrounding places through various seasons creates a good multidimensional image of the setting in the reader’s mind. This book lauds the importance of family love and not giving up on each other when tough times hit. It also emphasized finding courage and confidence to do the right thing when life throws you off course which makes this book a meaningful read! I recommend this book for middle schoolers who enjoy reading realistic fiction genre.
Sonika M, 13, Metropolitan Washington Mensa

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Pippa and Jack’s mother died six months ago, everything changed. Their father who had been holding everything together during the last months of her illness, suddenly disappeared into his work. Pippa hasn’t spoken since her mother died. Jack has taken on the responsibility that his father has dropped. Meanwhile, their electricity is being cut off and the children discover that their father has lost his car sales business. Their lives become more complicated as Jack is drawn into his father’s desperation for money and a dangerous scheme. Pippa suspects what is happening and is also struggling at school with her silence. It’s going to take fresh strength as a family for them to come out of this dark time.

Galante has created a multilayered novel that is complex and yet not overly long. She wisely layers in other characters who struggled with loss in their lives too, showing the various ways that people can react to grief. This allows readers to see the response of the father in the book as strange and confusing, much as it seems to Pippa and Jack. The book celebrates the power of family even as it is about one that is entirely falling apart. It is also about the love that makes people do stupid things to keep a family together just as those same decisions tear it further.

Galante tells the story from the points of view of both Pippa and Jack in alternating chapters. This is also a clever choice, showing the internal struggles of both children and allowing readers to see the pain that both of them are experiencing and yet displaying it outwardly in different ways. Throughout the book, the setting is vital and important, the lake itself becoming a reflection of emotions and a way to connect to life.

Beautifully written and intelligently crafted, this novel is a remarkable look at grief and families. Appropriate for ages 9-12.

[Abby]

Stealing Our Way Home is a realistic book for young adults by Cecilia Galante. Stealing Our Way Home is about a brother and sister named Pippa and Jack. Towards the beginning of the story, they talk about how their mom had sadly passed away a while ago. This story is about Pippa, Jack, and their dad trying to keep the house that was their mom's prized possession, given by her parents, because it is one of the only things they have left from her. They are barely able to pay their bills for the house and are really struggling. Pippa and Jack are really trying to help their dad with everything they can. But then they realize that their dad is doing anything he can for money, maybe even illegal things. I would rate this book an 8 out of 10 because overall, the book was really good but there were a lot of boring and uninteresting parts in the book. I would recommend this book to people who like books about family and friendship.

[Lily Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about a family living on a lake in Vermont. The main characters, Jack (7th grade) and Pippa (4th grade) have recently lost their mother to stomach cancer. She was the organization to their family, and now their dad is falling behind on everything, including bills. When his car business fails, he doesn't know what to do. They have no electricity or water, but their dad is determined not to loose their house. He's willing to do anything it takes to keep the house, even if it means breaking the law. To Jack and Pippa, this is all so confusing. They've already lost their mom... and even though they haven't "lost" their dad, it feels like a part of him is missing. Jack and Pippa must do whatever they can to try to fix whats missing, and get their dad back. This book was very good, it kept you thinking at all times which made you want to keep reading, but I found it slightly cliche or predictable at times.

[Lily Amling · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book. The worst part was when Pippa and Jack founded out that their mom died. Now their dad is having trouble getting cash, so he works lots of jobs. I think the theme is, think about the positives. Pippa stopped speaking because her mother died. She didn't think about the positives. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[Monica Hocking · Rating 2 out of 5]

Me only get to page #111 and decided to stop. To me this was getting hard to understand why someone would write this stuff. This is no how you deal with life! Me no liked where this was headed! Not for me!

[Sara Truog · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sad story about a brother and sister whose mother dies, and Dad resorts to bank robbery to keep the family going.
Liked this one a bit better than Galante's last book (The World From Up Here). Neither was my favorite, but they have a similar feel. For readers 9+ who enjoy realistic fiction.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Cecilia Galante! This book is about two kids and a crazy family dot-dot-dot and what happens after their mother dies. It alternates chapters between siblings Pippa and Jack. A fast and wonderful read!

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart-string puller by Cecilia Galante - she has this amazing way of writing about tough topics that draw you into the story.

[Leona · Rating 4 out of 5]

lots of valuable themes and good character development.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! :)

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful character development. An emotional story that will stay with you after you’re done reading it. I envision it could lead to many discussions if used in a classroom or group setting.

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Precious. A book for the ages. Enlightening. An emotional journey worth the endeavor.

[Lindsay Plessinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very emotional book, but very heart warming.

[Lola Abraham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two children who's mother just died from cancer, and their family is trying to regroup and keep pushing through in their life since the tragic event.

[Student Ava · Rating 4 out of 5]

AWESOME!!!

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of a family traumatized by the loss of the mother and the love and support of family. Very inspiring and full of hope.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first, it seemed a little far-fetched. The development of the characters and how the story evolved made up for it though.

[Scarlet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mother dies, and father is forced to steal to pay the bills.

[Kellie Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Katie liked it

[Francesca · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5...3.7.... idk just not quite a 4 star. I’ll go with 3.8. :)

[Emma]

It wasn't my favorite book but I did enjoy it.

[emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

[Kylee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a really really good book, and I am so glad that Molly recommended it for me!!!!!!

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty simple message and book for middle-grade readers, but I enjoyed this short and sweet read :)