Icarus

Gr 10 Up–Ancrum’s mythical flying boy is almost-18-year-old Icarus Gallagher who, by day, is a senior “only allowed to have friends that stayed at school” because, by night, he’s an impeccably trained (by his father) burglar of priceless art. For years, their main target has been cruel Stuart Black; one dark, thieving evening at the Black mansion, a boy in blue pajamas confronts Icarus. Helios is his father’s prisoner, desperate for companionship. Icarus can’t stay away. Ancrum surrounds Icarus with a significant cast, providing ample opportunities for versatile narrator Graves to create yearning Luca, confident Celestine, unpredictable Julian. Graves is gruff as myopic Angus, growling as vengeful Stuart. Graves deftly gifts Icarus and Helios with expansive range. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome is the named disability but it’s more seamless detail than narrative spotlight.