The Prisoner of Snowflake Falls

Slow pacing and a frontloaded back-story undercut Lekich's (King of the Lost and Found) coming-of-age novel about a teenage thief who finds redemption. Raised by his uncle Andy in a community of minor miscreants following his mother's death, Henry learned the art of picking locks at a young age. When Andy is sent to prison, Henry avoids the foster care system by living in a tree house, surviving by breaking into neighbors' houses and stealing bits of food. Somewhat improbably, Henry's conscience won't allow him to take more than he needs, and in exchange for what he does take, he often performs light chores. Upon getting caught, Henry is sentenced to a program called Second Chances, which places him in the town of Snowflake Falls, where he is to live with the puzzling and eccentric Wingate family. The quirky, small-town characters%E2%80%94especially brainy, socially awkward 11-year-old Charlotte%E2%80%94provide lively dialogue, humor, and an opportunity for Henry to become more fully developed, but readers may tire of Henry's heavy reminiscing about his upbringing throughout the first half before the core plot comes into play. Ages 12%E2%80%93up. (Apr.)