Stealing Candy

Gr 9 Up—Candy Rex is bored with her life as a high school junior at a boarding school. She yearns for adventure and makes movies to bring excitement to her life. Her wish is granted when she is kidnapped by Levon and Jamal, who hope to obtain ransom money from her famous musician father. Candy soon discovers that Jamal is violent while Levon is gentle. Candy convinces Levon to rebel against Jamal, and once they find themselves without Jamal, they take a chance and continue on their road trip. Candy realizes that she may like Levon. Levon also begins to make a connection with Candy while heading south in his car. Candy's and Levon's characterizations are underdeveloped, and the details of the setting are not fleshed out. The overall progression of the plot may leave readers disappointed, and both the story and Levon and Candy's relationship end on an ambiguous note.