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Pickpocket
After his younger sister dies, 17-year-old Jean-Luc goes into a downward spiral. He is sent away for the summer to live with his uncle in a small town on the coast of France. On his first day there he meets the beautiful Selina and decides that this summer might not be so bad after all. That is until he realizes that she stole his wallet. Jean-Luc does some detective work and eventually tracks her down. Selina confesses that she and other runaway teens are being exploited by a mysterious figure known only as Le Patron. Jean-Luc devises a plan to help Selina escape, but will the two of them be able to outwit the dangerous criminal?
- GenresYoung Adult
128 pages, Paperback
Published January 19, 2021
About the author
Karen Spafford-Fitz
8 books11 followersKaren Spafford-Fitz grew up in an old limestone farmhouse that she suspects was haunted. “My childhood home near Kingston, Ontario expressed itself through an alarming range of squeaks, creaks, moans, groans, bumps and thumps—especially on dark, stormy nights. It was perfect for fuelling the imagination of a young writer-to-be!”
Karen’s early training as a writer involved reading thousands of books. “As a child, I had mounds of books on my nightstand that frequently avalanched onto the floor. These mounds included the Anne of Green Gables stories, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden. I was horse-crazy too, so Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, and my dad’s old Lone Ranger books were also favorites. At one point, I went through a horror-story phase where I read the creepiest books I could find—even though they scared me to death.”
Karen later went to Queen’s University, where she received degrees in English and in Education. For the next eight years, she taught elementary and junior high students in Toronto and in Edmonton. Although Karen enjoyed teaching, she wanted a home-based career after her daughters were born, and so she turned to freelance writing. One of her projects involved writing educational software for students, which helped Karen discover her love of writing for young people. She soon began creating her own stories for children and teenagers, and Dog Walker, Karen’s first book, was released in March 2006.
When Karen is not writing, she is often reading, gardening, running, skiing or enjoying Edmonton’s river valley with her husband, her two daughters and her two enormous dogs. Karen also enjoys visiting schools and libraries in the Edmonton area where she speaks to students about the inspiration for her stories, the creative process, and the writing life.
Karen’s early training as a writer involved reading thousands of books. “As a child, I had mounds of books on my nightstand that frequently avalanched onto the floor. These mounds included the Anne of Green Gables stories, Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Trixie Belden. I was horse-crazy too, so Black Beauty, The Black Stallion, and my dad’s old Lone Ranger books were also favorites. At one point, I went through a horror-story phase where I read the creepiest books I could find—even though they scared me to death.”
Karen later went to Queen’s University, where she received degrees in English and in Education. For the next eight years, she taught elementary and junior high students in Toronto and in Edmonton. Although Karen enjoyed teaching, she wanted a home-based career after her daughters were born, and so she turned to freelance writing. One of her projects involved writing educational software for students, which helped Karen discover her love of writing for young people. She soon began creating her own stories for children and teenagers, and Dog Walker, Karen’s first book, was released in March 2006.
When Karen is not writing, she is often reading, gardening, running, skiing or enjoying Edmonton’s river valley with her husband, her two daughters and her two enormous dogs. Karen also enjoys visiting schools and libraries in the Edmonton area where she speaks to students about the inspiration for her stories, the creative process, and the writing life.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
December 8, 2021
Following a house party that gets more than a little out-of-control, Jean-Luc's parents arrive home earlier than expected. Jean-Luc isn't surprised they expect him to pay for repairs but he is astonished to find himself sent off to a job in France. Getting robbed in a foreign country is only one of Jean-Luc's challenges. Fast-paced and full of twists, Pickpocket is the kind of page turner any teen will love.
December 30, 2020
The wonderfully illustrated cover is what drew me in to read this!
Although it is a fast paced narrative, the author has carefully crafted the setting so that the reader feels totally immersed in the sights, smells and sounds of this French sea-side town.
A chance encounter with a young woman, leads Jean Luc on an quest which has unintended results!
An accessible compact story that will appeal to any kind of reader!
Highly recommended!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Themes: grief: loss: social issues: family
Thank you, Orca book publisher for the ARC...in turn for an honest review.
Although it is a fast paced narrative, the author has carefully crafted the setting so that the reader feels totally immersed in the sights, smells and sounds of this French sea-side town.
A chance encounter with a young woman, leads Jean Luc on an quest which has unintended results!
An accessible compact story that will appeal to any kind of reader!
Highly recommended!!🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Themes: grief: loss: social issues: family
Thank you, Orca book publisher for the ARC...in turn for an honest review.
December 30, 2020
Super enjoyed this Vespa-fast read set in Southern France. Jean-Luc's search for meaning after his sister's death leads him on a voyage of self discovery that includes a lot of adventure. I was transported to Nice and could smell the socca and the sea as soon as Jean-Luc steps off the plane. The socca sounded so good that I am now looking up recipes and looking for chick pea flour.
May 12, 2022
In the mood for a riveting book and some time in the south of France? Jean-Luc's story is for you. Oh, and don't plan on getting anything else done until you finish the book. You won't be able to put it down.
Highly recommended.
Highly recommended.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews