TFK Kid Reporter Bevy Lustig read Sneaks and interviewed its author, Amy Tern. Read Bevy’s thoughts below.
Sneaks is a mystery novel about bravery, adventure, and friendship. Rook is a smart, accomplished kid who follows all the rules—until he starts hanging out with Valory, who can’t stay out of trouble. The two 12-year-olds become unlikely friends. Tern told TIME for Kids she was “interested in putting together two characters who are very different.”
The new friends spy a mysterious figure they call the Goblin Woman. They suspect she has kidnapped a child. Together, the tweens must solve the mystery, even if it means sometimes disobeying their parents (or breaking into apartments!).
As they solve the mystery, they grow into themselves. “I wanted to write a book about bravery,” says Tern, “and about that moment in a kid’s life when they have to start making their own decisions.”
Rook and Valory keep readers on their toes. These characters even surprised their author during the writing process. “That's one trouble with outlining [a novel],” said Tern. “The characters seem to have a mind of their own.”
I recommend this book whether you’re a Rook, a Valory, or anyone in between. Whether you get into trouble or get straight As, this book is for you.
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