Thief of Hearts — Laurence Yep

Stacy has always felt she is just like all her friends. She never thought much about being Chinese American, even with her great-grandmother, Tai-Paw, living at home. Then Hong Ch'un came along. Newly arrived from China and paired reluctantly with Stacy, Hong Ch'un, with her out-of-style clothing and her strong views, doesn't fit in at all. And when Hong Ch'un is accused at school of stealing several objects of sentimental value to their owners, it is up to Stacy to put their differences aside and find out the truth.

The search takes her to San Francisco's Chinatown, where Tai-Paw and Stacy's mother, Casey, once lived, and where Stacy learns the answers to some questions she has never thought to ask. The only question that remains is whether Stacy can find a way to embrace both the American and Chinese in herself, or if she will forever be like the Thief of Hearts in an old tale told by Tai-Paw, wandering alone through the world, connected to no one.

In his sequel to CHILD OF THE OWL, which told Stacy's mother's story, Laurence Yep has once again created a powerful novel peppered with humor and wisdom.