The Whiz Mob and the Grenadine Kid by Colin Meloy (review)

Traveling with his diplomat father throughout 1961 Europe leaves twelve-year-old Charlie mostly bored and lonely, so when he witnesses a group of kids his age pulling off an elaborate pickpocket scam in the middle of a busy square in Marseille, he tracks down one of the thieving kids to beg him for schooling in the art of the pickpocket. Amir introduces Charlie to his crew, the Whiz Mob, who've all been educated in crime at the School of Seven Bells, and if Charlie wants to prove himself worthy of a spot on their team, then he's going to have to work hard. It's entirely believable that Charlie, shipped off by his uninterested mother to a father he barely knows, attaches himself to this makeshift family quickly and then takes plenty of risks to please them. Their ultimate betrayal of his confidence is therefore utterly heartbreaking, and readers too will feel a bit pained, even if they've picked up on the cleverly placed hints throughout the book that there's a con being played here and Charlie might be the mark. The direct address from the omniscient narrator gives the story a tone of playful mischief until events bring Charlie into dangerous territory, exchanging innocent fun for life or death risk. Ellis' black and white illustrations vary from intricately detailed vignettes to broader scenes with figures intriguingly flattened and distorted. Fans of Stewart's The Mysterious Benedict Society (BCCB 5/07) will find more secrets and mysteries with Charlie. KQG