Review: The Boy Who Steals Houses

The Boy Who Steals Houses by C.G. Drews
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Sam has been let down by every adult in his life. None of them know, or are willing to learn, how to deal with Avery, Sam's autistic older brother. So Sam keeps them safe. He survives by breaking into empty houses when the owners are away. One day, sick with flu, he misjudges and finds himself in the middle of a large, rowdy family. Everyone assumes he's someone else's friend, and for a little while he feels safe and warm, as though this life - this crazy, chaotic life - can really be his.

Until his past catches up with him in the worst way possible.


I thought I was ready for this. I've read - wait, not read. What's the word? - destroyed. I've been destroyed by A Thousand Perfect Notes a few times now, so I thought I was ready to read this one. But nope. This book is heartbreaking in all the best ways. Poor Sam has everything taken from him again and again and again. Yes, he makes some stupid decisions, but he's fifteen and trying to protect a brother who, though no fault of his own, doesn't make it easy.

The characters are brilliant, the setting is fantastic, and I would love to meet these characters again. Perhaps with a cameo from the famous composer Beck? :D

A fantastic read.


Sammy nudges Avery with his elbow. 'Together?'

'You,' Avery whispers, 'and me. We.'

They burst across the roof in a howling run and spring off the edge, their mouths full of the moon and eyes full of stars.

Aunt Karen hollers at them.

They hit the trampoline and bounce high and the poor abused mat gives a wailling r-iiiiii-p

and they go straight through and hit the grass.

Idiots.

They smack together as they tumble through the split. Lightning sheets of agony jolt up Sammy's legs and he rolls, grabbing Avery's head before it slams into the ground. They tangle for a second in the uncut lawn. Chests heave. The trampoline waves torn threads in apology.

'Anything broken?' Sammy says. 'Because we kind of have to run right now.'

Avery moans and touches his cheek where he collided with Sammy's head. 'Your stupid skull broke me.'

'But worth it?'

Avery's lips are a fractured smile.

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