Flight Risk

Debut author Fenn tells a multilayered story of identity, ambition, and societal expectations as she chronicles the misadventures of Robert Jackson Kelley, who becomes known as the Lollipop Kid after he steals and crashes three private airplanes. Through newspaper articles, interviews, discipline records, and flashbacks, Fenn fleshes out Robert’s history as a juvenile delinquent from a broken home, detailing his obsession with flight simulators and yearning to escape the small Washington State island he calls home. Sent to a youth home after a drug bust, Robert eventually escapes and steals the first of several planes, an act that turns him into a local legend, makes him the subject of a widespread manhunt, and inadvertently gives rise to a minor pop culture movement. Inspired by the true story of the so-called Barefoot Bandit, this story moves slowly but steadily through the years, building a larger-than-life aura around Robert. However, for all the focus on him, he remains something of an enigma in his own narrative. Ages 12–up. Agent: Amy Tipton, Signature Literary. (July)