The first book.
The Boy Who Steals Houses is a 2019 contemporary young adult novel series written by Australian author CG Drews.Sammy is only fifteen, and lives on the street. To get by, he steals houses. Which is what he calls breaking into empty homes and living there till the occupants come back from vacation.
One day, he oversleeps—and wakes up to a full house. Luckily for him, every of the seven children thinks he is a friend of another sibling, and the De Lainey family takes him in with open arms. And Sammy comes back to their house again and again. Soon, he can't deny it isn't only because of the free food ...
The Boy Who Steals Houses-Series:
- The Boy Who Steals Houses (First book, 2019)
- The Girl Who Steals Christmas (Prequel, 2019)
- The Kings of Nowhere (Sequel, 2022)
This novel contains examples of the following tropes:
- Abusive Parents:
- Sammy and Avery have this. First, their mother walked out, then their physically abusive father drops them off with aunt Karen, who is also physically and psychologically abusive to them.
- The De Lainey father is a milder example. Since Moxy is the oldest girl, he puts her in charge of the two toddlers and parentifies her. It comes to a point there both call her 'Mama.' His oldest sons also have to work in his building business to save money on more skilled workers.
- Annoying Younger Sibling: Sammy thinks Avery is this, even though Sammy is the younger one.
- Big Damn Kiss: Between Moxy and Sammy when he runs away from his court appearance and straight back to the De Laineys.
- Bittersweet Ending: Sammy has to go to prison, but the De Lainey's wait for his return and take Avery in.
- Character Tics:
- Sammy steals a key of every house he breaks in.
- Avery is autistic and stims by flicking his hands in front of his face.
- Contrived Coincidence: When Sammy wakes up and finds the De Lainey's came back from their trip, they have a huge brunch with friends and family, so he blends right in. Moxy mentions they have these brunches regularly, but it never happens again.
- Dark Secret: Why Sammy was kicked out by aunt Karen and is living on the street. He badly hurt a bully who targeted Avery and would have to go to prison if found by the police.
- Deadpan Snarker: Moxy snarks so much, it is easier to count the times she is serious.
- Defrosting Ice Queen: Both Moxy and Sammy thaw with each other around.
- Disappeared Dad: Sammy's and Avery's dad left them at their aunt Karen's house. He later calls to inform her he is in prison and will not come back for them.
- Dysfunctional Family: The De Laineys. The children basically raise themselves since their mother died and their father has to work. For this, there is a lot of resentment.
- Granola Girl: Moxy is the least chill hippie chick, ever.
- House Squatting: What Sammy does. He breaks into houses, checks the calendar and leaves with all the valuables a day before the owners come back.
- Like Father, Like Son: ammy is following his father's footsteps. His father even warns him before leaving that he needs to get a hold on himself, or he will become like him.
- Missing Mom:
- Sammy's and Avery's mom left one day, never to be seen again.
- The De Lainey's are mourning their mother, who died of cancer shortly before they meet Sammy.
- Mood Whiplash: One second, Sammy is lively dancing with Moxy, the next second he is shoved by somebody who recognizes him.
- Nephewism: Avery and Sammy lived with their aunt, Karen, until she kicks Sammy out and Avery follows him onto the street.
- Parental Abandonment: Sammy and Avery were both abandoned. First, their mother walked out, then their dad left them at their aunt's to go look for his wife. He ends up in prison instead, and the siblings stay with their aunt, who is nonplussed.
- Promotion to Parent: To Moxy's ever living chagrin. Since she is the oldest girl, she is supposed to take care of her toddler siblings. She regularly points out how sexist this is.
- Running Gag: Moxy accidentally attacks Sammy with a container of glitter. Throughout the book, people find glitter on him or in his hair.
- Stalker with a Crush: Sammy is this for Moxy. He secretly lives in her house and observes her daily routine, likes and dislikes. Once she learns about this, she is quick to point it out.
- Social Services Does Not Exist: Apparently not. The closest thing that happened was a stern talking to by the police to aunt Karen after Avery got lost, and they had to bring him home. Even though they recognize something is wrong, there is no follow up. In Real Life, they would alert Social Services to look into it.
- Surprisingly Realistic Outcome: Once Sammy is at the hospital, the police gets quickly to him, and he goes to prison for his crimes.
- Sweet Tooth: Moxy's favorite food is caramel.
- Troubled, but Cute: Sammy and Avery.
- Twofer Token Minority: Avery is autistic and bisexual.
