Five Finger Discount

Five Finger Discount by Barthe DeClements is a young adult novel that tells the story of a teenage girl named Elsie Edwards. Overweight and unhappy, Elsie struggles with self-esteem issues and faces bullying at school. To cope with her emotional pain and the turmoil of her home life, Elsie begins shoplifting small items, which gives her a temporary sense of control and excitement. However, as her shoplifting escalates, the consequences become more serious, and she is eventually caught. Through the intervention of a compassionate teacher and the support of a new friend, Elsie begins to confront her problems and learns valuable lessons about honesty, responsibility, and self-acceptance. The book addresses themes of adolescence, personal growth, and the impact of family dynamics on young people.