Shifty

by Lynn E. Hazen

Fifteen-year-old Shifty knows all about moving around and next to nothing about where he came from. When he's assigned to a new foster home and family, he tries hard to keep cool and stay out of trouble. But it seems like the more he tries to do the right thing, the more trouble he finds. As Shifty navigates a series of messy summer adventures, he struggles to find a balance between the street-wise spirit that has helped him survive and his longing for a place to call home. Lynne E. Hazen has created a fast-paced, page-turning plot full of surprises and warmth.  

Genres: Young Adult, Teen, Fiction, Realistic Fiction

192 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2008

About the author

Lynn E. Hazen writes books filled with humor, heart and hope. SHIFTY, her young adult novel, was praised by Kirkus Reviews as “a realistic story that resonates. Smart writing and an engaging narrative keep the story fresh, while an interesting plot will keep readers turning the pages.”

SHIFTY was chosen for VOYA’s Top Shelf Fiction, as a CCBC Choice, and as a Smithsonian Notable.

Lynn’s books for younger readers include: two young chapter books, Cinder Rabbit and The Amazing Trail of Seymour Snail, Mermaid Mary Margaret (middle grade novel), hailed "a winner" by Kirkus Reviews; and Buzz Bumble to the Rescue (a picture book).

Lynn earned an M.F.A. in Writing For Children and Young Adults at Vermont College, and an M.A. in Education at San Francisco State University.

Lynn E. Hazen enjoys giving presentations at schools, libraries, conferences, and literary events. She teaches classes in Writing for Children & Young Adults at UC Berkeley Extension & Stanford Continuing Studies.

Lynn lives with her family in San Francisco, CA.

Lynn blogs at The Imaginary Blog:
http://LynnHazenImaginaryBlog.blogspo...

http://www.ShiftyTheBook.com
http://www.CinderRabbit.com
http://www.MermaidMaryMargaret.com
http://www.myspace.com/ShiftyTheBook

Reviews

[Kathi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soli can't seem to avoid trouble, but he also has a knack for getting himself out of tight situations, thus his nickname, "Shifty." Lynn Hazen has given us an authentic, true-blue, but less than perfect hero. She has also given us a clear view of life as a foster kid and the myriad hoops that they have to jump through just to find a semblance of stability. Hooray for Shifty, hooray for Lynn Hazen.

[Devan Cruse]

Shifty
Vicki A Schneider
October, 7, 2016
English 10 - 7th
Lynn enjoys meeting students, teachers, and librarians. Lynn creates and leads writing workshops and author presentations specifically geared for teens. Lynn is able to tailor her talks and writing workshops to your student's’ unique needs. Her characters grab the attention of teens. Her books help young teens to understand life and how people have had times through life. She writes so teens will understand that they aren’t the only one, that there other teens that have problems. She wants teens to know that they might have hard times but they will get better later on in life.
It didn’t say the time period.
At the beginning of the book it was taken place at a Chinese restaurant called “Hong Sing”. The whole book was taken place in San Francisco California.
Soli is the narrator, Martha is the mom of baby Thaddeus and now his name is Chance because he is adopted, Sissy is Soli’s little sister, Karen use to be there social worker, Ms. Lupano is there new social worker and they don’t like her, Mrs. Morrow is there neighbor and they get along well, and Darlene is Sissy’s friend.
Lynn E. Hazen wrote this book so that teens would realize that other teens have hard times and some will relate.
Shifty is a contemporary young adult novel set in San Francisco. Fifteen-year-old Shifty drives illegally, swipes court documents and lies to police and social workers--all in an effort to stay out of trouble. Shifty parks in a handicapped zone and fast-talks his way out of a ticket by convincing the cop that an old homeless woman is his grandmother. He drives off without a ticket, but with a new pretend grandma in the back of his van. Now his younger foster sister has very opposing views of what to do with their new fake grandma. Both funny and tender, Shifty's misadventures touch on themes of resiliency, home, and lost and found family. And it all begins with a $275 burrito!
The author says that she wrote the book so other teens that are having the same problems that Soli has had and is having. Soli thought that he wasn’t going to ever get adopted because kids told him he wasn’t going too but he got adopted.
We’ve had a major shift in what truth is and where it comes from. We’ve gone from being God-centered to self-centered, from being objective to being subjective, and from being internal to external. The areas of consensus shift unbelievably fast; the bubbles of certainly are constantly exploding.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read a very early version of this book, and I fell head over heels in love with it. Hazen's descriptions of Soli's experience as a fosterkid, of San Francisco's neighborhoods, of the relationships Soli has with his foster sister and foster mother are heart-breaking and as real as they come.
I came to care for Soli deeply. I rooted for him, and wanted him to get away with all the trouble he creates. Which he does, sometimes. This is a REAL winner.

[Sharry · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a treat! Full of twists and turns and delicious complications, this YA novel features one of the most appealing 'reluctant heroes' I've met in a long time. Despite his somewhat shifty nature, Soli is a soulful kid who's learning to recognize his own good conscience the help of a good-hearted, make-shift family. A delightful read.

[Ellen Yeomans · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, love, love SHIFTY! The voice sounds authentic, the story is first-rate and the charactors--main and minor--are well developed and intriguing. The best YA I've read this year!

[Hayley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is real page turner! Shifty has been in and out of foster homes and is always getting into trouble even though, he has good intentions. I strongly recommend this book. I couldn't put it down!

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

Hazen, Lynn E. Shifty, 188 p. (approx.). Tricycle Press, September 2008.

Shifty has moved to a new foster home complete with a little sister and baby brother. For all the best reasons, Shifty is constantly breaking the rules and putting his new sister’s life in danger. A new, very strict case worker is just looking for an excuse to shut down that foster home, increasing the tension. And Martha, the foster mother has been very distracted lately, increasing Shifty’s chances at unintentional mischief. Shifty is not the brightest bulb in the bunch, but he does have a lot of heart and some street smarts, both of which he will need to surmount his little family’s challenges.

While comparisons to The Pinballs are inevitable, this is The Pinballs all grown up and moved into the modern world. I can't say its my favorite cover, but you really need to see past that! Only one swear word.

MS – ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Cindy, Library-Teacher.

[Samu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Something about this story just breaks my heart -and heals it at the same time. Soli, Sissy, Chance and Martha make up a family that is messy and all kinds of complicated but most of all, a family. There's room for mistakes in this family too. Best part about this book is that it doesn't just offer a happy ending, instead it offers an ending that is happy and sad at the same time. I loved this story. I loved sweet fifteen year old Soli that is just trying to do the right thing and take care of his little sister and brother and mom and not get kicked out yet another foster home. I loved the old lady who got lost and was found again. I really am a sucker for these stories but this one really was wonderful.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reviewed by Amber Gibson for TeensReadToo.com

Abandoned on a Greyhound bus just days after he was born, Soli has a lot working against him. Luckily, this plucky 15-year-old seems to have found a real home at long last.

His foster mom, Martha, is a shining example of a woman whose heart is in the right place. Though she does not have much money, she dedicates her life to taking care of Soli, a sweet little girl named Sissy, and Thaddeus, a baby boy born addicted to cocaine. Martha has always seen the good in these kids, and she doesn't believe that people should be defined by labels like "foster kid" and "crack baby."

The social workers and people who run the foster care system never give Soli the benefit of a doubt, filling his files with untrue information about how dangerous and suspicious he is. However, Soli doesn't conform to their low expectations. He loves his foster family and never shirks his responsibilities as a big brother and son.

Perhaps driving Martha's van without a license isn't legal, but Soli is a good driver and his intentions are pure - he drives to buy groceries or pick up Sissy when Martha cannot. Still, driving without a license is risky business. Driving home bag ladies, escaping tow trucks, and having tomatoes thrown at Martha's white van are par for the course. Anything to avoid being stopped by authorities, where he might get in serious trouble for driving sans license.

Soli's biggest dilemma right now is Sheila, the new social worker who is determined to shut Martha down. Sheila is just looking for any little slip-up to file a complaint against Martha, so Soli and Sissy are on their best behavior. Martha is the mother they never had and they will do anything to remain living with her. Who knows what kind of family they might be placed with if they are thrown back into the system?

Written with heart and compassion, SHIFTY is a fun and fast-paced read. Readers will be rooting for Soli from page one, indignant at the judgmental people he is forced to put up with and sympathetic to the hardships that he is forced to endure. Lynn E. Hazen reveals a world that most readers could never have imagined, and Soli is an optimistic and courageous character that readers will identify with. After reading SHIFTY, you will want to adopt a foster child yourself, providing a loving home that all children deserve.

[Donura · Rating 4 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5 out of 5

Shifty is the kind of kid that I have always admired, gutsy out of necessity, but a kind soft heart just looking for a place to call home. And given a chance and a little extra room, he will most of the time make the right decision even if it seems unusual to the rest of us.

Ms. Hazen has given a voice to foster kids and the majority of the people who care for them, not only those in San Francisco but all over the country.

Shifty is a kid that might work on the nerves of teachers at school even though you can’t call him bad. He is just resourceful and probably more “street wise” than the majority of his teachers, but only because he has had to be for so long.

As this story starts, Shifty is finally in a foster home that is as close to normal as he can remember, and includes Mother Martha, little sister Sissy, and baby Thaddeus (aka Chance) two other hard to place foster kids. Sissy barely speaks at first due to prolonged physical abuse, and Baby Chance is a newborn crack addicted baby that required almost all of Martha’s time. The antics of Shifty with tagalong Sissy are “haha” funny and engaging because of his ingenuity and guts, and will have you laughing right up to the end. And that is an important aspect in this book, which would otherwise depress you because of the plight of not only these kids and their circumstances, but also because of the pressures that are regularly placed on the foster parent trying to just do the “right thing” all the time.

I would recommend this book not only to adults who need to be enlightened but also to middle schoolers and up who need to see how the real world operates for some kids. Understanding usually brings about compassion. Thank you, Ms. Hazen for giving us a look into the foster care system with an eye towards hope.

[Fred Kirchner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Moving, gritty story about Soli--foster son to Martha. Soli has been around the system: juvy, group homes, foster care. Even though he's seen some tough things, he's a survivor. Luckily for everyone, one with a heart that cares about Martha, his foster mom, ans Sissy, the other foster child at Martha's. Sissy's had it rougher. She won't talk much and never takes off her bulky sweater.

And there's also Chance--the baby born addicted to crack. And Martha is getting less and less mobile. So Soli--without his license--is driving the van to the store. They're barely holding on.

And Sheila is the new social worker. She's by the book. Kind of a beeyotch. Karen--who's on maternity leave--was a better match for Martha. Karen only wanted the kids to be fed and cared for and loved. Sheila is taking down every rule infraction and seems to be out to bust Martha.

Lots to appreciate here. Soli is a good person. He was left in a Greyhound bus as an infant and only has fleeting memories of his childhood and no idea who his folks were or why they left him on the bus. After bouncing around the system his whole life, Soli has never gotten into drugs or been accused of any violent crime. I kind of felt his character was almost too good--even though I was behind him 100 percent.

Sissy is even more of an enigma. what we learn about her is troubling, but Martha gives both kids some stability.
Hard to put down! Great story about making life work even when it seems broken. Nice undercurrent of a caring adolescent male being responsible for the infant and his foster sister.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hazen, Lynn E. 2008. Shifty.

Here was a novel that surprised me. The cover didn't necessarily show much promise that I'd love it. And if it hadn't been nominated in the Cybils YA category, I might have missed this one. And that would have been wrong. Because I enjoyed this one. I did. The characters are flawed--very human--but the narrator, Soli, (a.k.a Shifty or Solomon) won me over...and quite quickly at that. He is a fifteen year old guy who is doing the best that he can. He's been in the foster care system for a while now--since he was a preschooler essentially--and it hasn't always treated him fairly. But the place he's at now...is the best he's ever known. And he'll do almost anything to stay there. Martha, his foster mom, may not be good at sticking to all the rules...but she sure does have a heart of gold. Soli isn't her only foster child. There is also Sissy and Chance. (Yes, those are their nicknames.) Chance is a baby that was born drug-addicted.

What can I say about this family? I cared. Martha. Soli. Sissy. Their story engaged me in a way that I wasn't expecting. Once I picked this one up, I didn't want to put it down again.

[Jeff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lynn Hazen has written a wonderful "young adult" novel about a teenage foster youth --errr, I mean, youth who lives with a foster family, living and surviving in San Francisco. Soli, aka Solomon, aka Shifty, is on the run from Dept. of Parking and Traffic -- he only has a learner's permit and he is not fond of parking in legal spaces. Most people don't think he's going to amount to much, but that's okay. He's too busy looking out for his younger sister, Sissy, and family baby, Chance. What transpires in the story is the journey of children in foster care, and Hazen tells it with warmth, compassion, humor, and of course, love, which always conquers all. I have some bias about this book because of my profession, the fact that the story takes place in San Francisco, and the author is a great supporter of the non-profit that I work for. However, I would recommend this to anyone regardless. It's a great teaching book as well, particularly for 10-15 year olds.

[Additeenlibrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Realistic, contemporary, young adult fiction."Shifty" is the nickname of the main character, so named because he can get out of anything: chores, extra work, and (most of the time) trouble. 15-year-old Soli is in foster care with Little Sister (though she's not really his little sister). They've found a pretty good place with Martha, but there's always the potential for something to go wrong when you're a foster kid. Will Soli manage to stay out of trouble and will Martha manage to hold it together so that Soli and Little Sister can stay?

I very much enjoyed this book. It was a fast, punchy read that kept me up until 11:45 because I wanted to finish. Soli's voice and actions felt real and not forced. Unlike many books about foster care and kids, this one isn't horribly depressing, nor unrealistically perfect. It strikes a good balance between the way things are in the real world and hope for a better future.

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Teens will see themselves in the predicaments that Soli/Shifty faces and the decisions he makes, often lacking good judgement or making rationalizations for why his decision makes sense even if it does get him into trouble over and over. As an adult reader, I especially enjoyed the mixed-up, mondegreen lyrics Soli's foster mom Martha sings. I also liked the scene at the North Beach restaurant where Soli was supposed to shadow one of the valet attendants and instead ends up having to take over the operation. This is a quick read and an enjoyable one. It's nice to see the lives of teens and kids in the foster system represented in YA literature. And the San Francisco setting wasn't bad either!

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book gives us an entertaining and sympathetic view into the foster care system and one foster family that is struggling to survive. The main character is a 15 year old boy who does what he can to help his foster family, while making some bad teenage decisions and trying to get our from under them. One of my favorite characters was Sissy, the main character's foster sister, who has a big heart and fuels a large chunk of the story by wanting to help a homeless woman. It's a book about life, love, and the way that we can make our lives, and those of others, better if we are willing to try.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Soli has been in foster care practically his whole life. He is now living with a new foster mom, Martha, a younger "sister" named Sissy and "brother" named Chance. Soli does not always make the best decisions, but he has also been the recipient of some streaks of bad luck and circumstances, but now seems to have a chance to turn things around.

It has a message of hope, but is not uber-miraculous and impossible to imagine actually happening. I also appreciate the constant message of people first: not a crack baby, but a baby who was born addicted to crack, not homeless people but people who have no place to live, not foster kids, but kids who live in foster homes, etc.

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nowadays YA literature seems to have become a sea of sex and vampires. Enter the extraordinary Lynn Hazen, and her book, SHIFTY. Set in the real world, with real characters and situations, this book is a shining example of a fresh, contemporary YA voice. Soli is the title character, a boy in the foster system, torn between making a home and making off. His struggle is at once humorous and heartbreaking, and his final choices triumphant, but not without sacrifice. We could use more YA like this. A book every teen should read.

[Mykele Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shifty is about a fifteen year old boy named Shifty who gets into trouble a lot that he is moved from foster home to foster home. Shifty tries to live a happy, non-trouble life but it seems that trouble follows Shifty where ever he goes. Shifty goes on this wild adventure just to stop the cops from giving him a ticket for parking in a handicap place. Read the book to find out what happens to Shifty. This book is interesting because it's funny how what a fifteen year old boy would go through just to get out from having a ticket.

[Salsabrarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifteen-year-old Shifty lives with his foster mother Martha, who also cares for little Sissy and baby Chance. Shifty has led a checkered life in foster and group homes since he was abandoned as an infant at a bus station. Living with Martha and Sissy appears to be the most stability he's had, but Shifty continues to rely on his street smarts to stay just ahead of potential trouble. The contortions Shifty goes through to protect Martha from a suspicious social worker or evade the police when he drives without a license are believably in line with the upbringing and perspective he's had.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hazen could write the book on how to get her lovable protagonist into increasingly difficult situations. She ups the ante again and again in believable situations that this 15 year-old (who was abandoned as a baby and has spent his life in foster homes) unwittingly creates. I loved all the characters in this book and applaud the way Hazen shows good people up against and within the foster-care system and poverty.

[Monica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This YA award contender for 2008 originally left me cold because of the cover. Yes, I am one of those people. But I'm glad I came back and gave this a shot.

Great writing, lovely characterization of most everyone involved. Totally fast moving and short to boot. I'd be surprized if I don't see this on the Printz honor list.

Also - I feel like I've been on an incredible lucky streak. The last few books I've read have been (sometimes unexpectedly) awesome.

[Robert D. · Rating 5 out of 5]

shifty was a great book from starting off with soli a foster child and his "sister" sissy whos shy and will never talk go through everyday hard life just as foster kids but then face some real challenges like aold lady who lives in a storage unit the new mean social worker and a parkking ticket worth 275 dollars worth of money he dosen't have and soon probably never will this book is filled with comedy drama and alot of love!

[Lynda]

Thoughtful, interesting book. Older, reflective teen readers would enjoy it. 15 year old Soli (Shifty) struggles with being abandoned as a baby, and fostered ever since. He's finally with a caring foster mother, Martha, and little foster sister, Sissy. But Soli's life has a habit of swerving from one disaster to the next. Recommended for those who have enjoyed: Holes & Small Steps by Louis Sachar; Elizabeth Fensham's novels; Bird & Sugar Boy by Sofie Laguna.

[Hannah Jo Parker · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know what's wrong with me. It looks like everyone else LOVED this book. I thought it was good, but not great. I found it predictable and the voice a tad inauthentic. I think it would be a good read for foster teens or even adopted teens who want some characters to identify with. I just didn't love it.

[Kristin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brent thought this book was good and realistic but a bit heavy. He said he kept wanting things to work out for the character - which they eventually did. But he said it was kind of sad. He would recommend it to someone who likes "heavy" stories.

Lynn Hazen the author visited Lauren's school - she was awesome!

[Gianna Marino · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! I don't know anything about foster homes and Shifty gave me such an inside look at the relationships that develop. I loved learning about all of the characters and would like to meet each and every one of them. I think Sissy should be the star of Lynn's next book.
I would recommend this for anyone with a compassionate heart and mind.

[Me]

This book was so good! I couldn't put it down! I read it in two days because they way Lynn wrote this was so good, it sucked you right into the world of Soli! This book really shows what it's like in the life of a kid in foster care. If you liked A Child Called "It", then you will definitely love this!

[Jess · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was amazing. It' well written and really draws you in. I instantly fell in love with the characters. Reading this book actually brought tears to my eyes. Everyone can relate to the struggle of trying to be a good kid in a world where bad things keep happening to you. Great for teens and adults.

[Sarah Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Soli AKA Shifty is a foster child in San Francisco. He always seems to get into trouble but also manages to get himself out of it just as quickly. Now he's in a foster home with a baby brother and younger sister. Will he finally find the family he's been looking for?