Shifty [Hardcover]

Lynn E. Hazen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2008

Fifteen-year-old Shifty knows all about moving around and next to nothing about where he came from. When he's assigned to a new foster home and family, he tries hard to keep cool and stay out of trouble. But it seems like the more he tries to do the right thing, the more trouble he finds. As Shifty navigates a series of messy summer adventures, he struggles to find a balance between the street-wise spirit that has helped him survive and his longing for a place to call home. Lynne E. Hazen has created a fast-paced, page-turning plot full of surprises and warmth.  

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6–9—Soli, nicknamed "Shifty" for his ability to talk his way out of problems, has had a hard life filled with transition homes and foster families. He's happy to have landed at Martha's house with seven-year-old Sissy and baby Chance. However, while the woman genuinely cares about her foster children, she neglects simple tasks like buying food and relies on Soli to run errands and look after Sissy. Though he's only 15, Soli has shown Martha a fake learner's permit, so she allows him to drive her van; he occasionally uses it without her knowledge, leading to run-ins with police and a near towing. When Martha is unexpectedly hospitalized overnight, Soli is left in charge. Sissy's friend Darlene insists on coming over, which leads to a web of lies and trouble from Darlene's parents. Soli must also deal with the new social worker, who is looking to cite Martha on any infraction. Thinking on his feet, he manages to save her from getting into trouble. Though they must say goodbye to Chance, who is going to a permanent home, Martha is determined to get her act together and adopt Soli and Sissy. The novel's San Francisco setting is clearly delineated, but the ending is too clean, with hardly any consequences for Soli's or Martha's actions, a seemingly unrealistic outcome. Still, the characters have warmth, and readers will feel empathy for this makeshift family.—Nichole King, Morgan Hill Library, CA
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Review

Review, Shelf Awareness:
“Hazen has a gift for turning humor into poignant situations ...”
 
Review, Kirkus Reviews:
"Smart writing and an engaging narrative keep the story fresh, while an interesting plot will keep readers turning the pages."
 
Review, VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates) "Top Shelf Fiction" for Middle School Readers:
"Surprising, inspiring and outstanding titles for youngsters and the grownups that read to them."
 
Review, School Library Journal:
"...the characters have warmth, and readers will feel empathy for this makeshift family."
 
Review, Read Plus (Australia):
"...An engrossing and heart warming story; this book draws the reader in from the first page. Shifty tells his story in his own words, which are often humorous and heart-rending and he makes the characters in this tale come alive..." 

Review, Teens Read Too:
"... Written with heart and compassion, Shifty is a fun and fast-paced read. Readers will be rooting for Soli from page one, indignant at the judgmental people he is forced to put up with and sympathetic to the hardships that he is forced to endure. Lynn E. Hazen reveals a world that most readers could never have imagined, and Soli is an optimistic and courageous character that readers will identify with..." —Amber Gibson. Rating: 5 Stars

Review, Book Trends, May 14, 2010:
“This book has made me want to read it over and over again.” —Adam, 6th grader. Rating: 5 Stars
 
"In deceptively straightforward prose, author Lynn Hazen brings Shifty's San Francisco world to life on the page. Original, telling details, a compassionate eye, and Hazen's intuitive understanding of how love and trust can save us make Shifty a book to treasure."
—Alison McGhee, Author of several novels and picture books, including #1 New York Times bestseller Someday
 

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Tricycle Press (September 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1582462577
• ISBN-13: 978-1582462578
• Product Dimensions: 5.8 x 0.8 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,320,804 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Lynn E. Hazen, M.A., M.F.A., writes books for children and young adults filled with humor, heart and hope. Kirkus praised her young adult novel, SHIFTY, as "a realistic story that resonates." SHIFTY was chosen for VOYA's Top Shelf Fiction, as a CCBC Choice, and as a Smithsonian Notable. Lynn's books for younger readers include: CINDER RABBIT, THE AMAZING TRAIL OF SEYMOUR SNAIL, BUZZ BUMBLE, and MERMAID MARY MARGARET.

Lynn earned an M.F.A. in Writing for Children & Young Adults at Vermont College where she won the Houghton Mifflin Scholarship. She also holds an M.A. in Education from San Francsico State University and a B.S. in Applied Behavioral Sciences from U.C. Davis.

Lynn lives in Northern California and enjoys giving presentations at schools, libraries, conferences, and literary events. She teaches classes in Writing for Children & Young Adults at Stanford Continuing Studies. Check her website for a free downloadable teacher's guide, a cool SHIFTY Card activity (again with free pdfs & how to video) and more. www.ShiftyTheBook.com See also www.LynnHazen.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The real thing, July 29, 2008

By 

Maria (San Francisco, CA) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Shifty (Hardcover)

I fell head over heels in love with this book. Hazen's descriptions of Soli's experience as a fosterkid, of San Francisco's neighborhoods, of the relationships Soli has with his foster sister and foster mother are heart-shattering and as real as they come.
I came to care for Soli deeply. I rooted for him, and wanted him to get away with all the trouble he creates. Which he does, sometimes. This is a REAL winner.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Come along for the ride!, October 23, 2008

By 

Karen E "picky reader" (Northern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shifty (Hardcover)

SHIFTY is the best children's book about a foster kid since THE GREAT GILLY HOPKINS (one of my faves - by Katherine Paterson, Newbery Honor winner, 1979). Yanked in and out of foster homes for most of his fifteen years, Shifty has finally landed somewhere he likes with a 'sister' and 'mother' he obviously loves, but circumstances combine with his well-intended but ill-advised behavior to threaten his makeshift happy home. As did Paterson before her, Hazen manages to depict a somewhat grim, grown-up theme -- the instability and uncertainty of the life of a ward of state -- with hope and humor. I loved traveling with Shifty as he navigated the streets of San Francisco and the bumpy roads of foster life. What an entertaining trip -- so glad author Hazen let me come along for the ride!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Loved This Book, October 7, 2008

By 

Sharry Wright (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shifty (Hardcover)

Soli, called Shifty by the foster care system that has shuffled him around all of his life, doesn't always make the right choices, but sometimes the line is thin between the wrong choice for the right reason and sticking to the rules. Full of twists, turns, and complications, this YA novel features one of the most appealing 'reluctant heroes' I've met in a long time. With the help of his new make-shift family; Martha, his new foster mom with a huge heart and half a missing leg, Sissy, his needy but fierce little foster sister, and Chance, the baby who has barely a chance, Soli begins to recognize the voice of his own good conscience and what it means to care.