Angel Thieves

Reach for this book when your teenager begins to question how the hidden stories of the past shape their current identity and sense of justice. Kathi Appelt weaves a lyrical tapestry that connects a modern-day boy struggling with his family's legacy to a girl escaping slavery in the 1800s, all linked by the presence of a mysterious ocelot and the concept of 'angel thieves.' It is a sophisticated exploration of freedom, the weight of history, and the moral complexities of doing what is right when the law says otherwise. This novel is ideal for mature readers who appreciate poetic prose and are ready to engage with the darker realities of American history through a lens of magical realism and profound empathy.