How+to+Steal+a+Car+by+P.+Hautman

Jeff Cole


 * 1) 1.Book Title: How to Steal a Car


 * 1) 2.Author: Pete Hautman


 * 1) 3.Date of Publication: 2009

//How to Steal a Car// is the story of fifteen year old Kelleigh and her obsession with stealing cars. Faced with a home that appears ideal but actually holds some deep seated problems, difficulties balancing friendships, and romances, and a summer assignment to read Moby Dick, Kelleigh begins to look for ways to assert her independence and have some fun. The treat of getting caught and watcher her life fall apart terrifies and exhilarates Kelleigh as her summer shortens. This book's themes of suburban malaise, identity, obsessions and how we rationalize them, and self destructive behavior; reminded me of one of my favorite adult writers Chuck Palahniuk.
 * 1) 4.What is the book about? Give brief plot summary in your own words.


 * 1) 5.How could a teacher use this book in the classroom? What instructional strategies might you choose to incorporate with this particular title?
 * 2) This book is strong on character and voice and would be an excellent example to teach these concepts. Students could list the strengths and weaknesses of Kelleigh (and other characters) then do the same for themselves.

a. (After a summery of Moby Dick) Compare Ahab's obsession with finding and killing the white whale and Kelleigh's obsession with stealing cars. What do you think motivates the obsession, what purpose do the obsessions serve? b. Is Kelleigh a thief? Why? Do the things we do define us? If so, how? Or, are we more than what we do? Explain why you think so. c. Kelleigh steals cars, her Dad lies, and her mom smokes. Why do these characters do things that they know are wrong? What could these behaviors be a response to? Why do you do things that you know are wrong or hurtful?
 * 1) 6.Write three higher level thinking questions that you might use in a culminating discussion of this book.