The Good Thieves

👴🏻🕵🏼‍♀️🐢🚓

by Katherine Rundell

★★★★-

Review

The Good Thieves is another brilliant, easy-to-read and action-packed story from the wonderful Katherine Rundell.

Set in the 1920s, young Vita journeys to see her grandfather, who was recently cheated out of his home by a conman, in New York. As she learns more about his loss, Vita becomes dead set on discovering the truth and bringing home what her grandfather has lost. However, with Mafia-connected men following her around the streets of New York, Vita must convince a rather unusual bunch of children to join her on the most daring adventure of her life. 

As with any of Rundell’s books, the Good Thieves is a charming, pacy and adventure-filled story that transports you effortlessly to another time and place, letting you journey alongside the characters as if you were really there. I found the New York setting intriguing, and loved the smaller settings (grandfather’s apartment, underground tunnels, public parks) which made the story wonderfully unique. 

Vita is a brilliant protagonist, not shying from danger and willing to confront anyone and anything that stands in her way. She is very likable and works well with the other young characters, who are rough around the edges—two circus performers and a pickpocket. Her physical disability, which stemmed from polio as a young child, runs throughout the story, bringing awareness to such matters while also proving that physical impairments do not define a person. Instead, Vita’s resilience, intelligence, and determination shine, making her an inspiring heroine who proves that bravery comes in many forms.

Another absolute winner by Katherine Rundell and a fantastic ‘shared read’ for children and parents/carers. I would recommend this book to anyone who loves criminal adventure, law bending and 

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Katherine Rundell

Illustrator: Various

Release Date: 13th June 2019

Book type: Chapter, 336 pages

Reader level: Growing reader, Shared read 7+

Blurb

Fresh off the boat from England, Vita Marlowe has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather Jack has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack's spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again, so she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home.

She finds a young pickpocket, working the streets of the city. And, nearby, two boys with highly unusual skills and secrets of their own are about to be pulled into her lawless, death-defying plan.

Should I read this book?

You should read this book if you...

Help me to read

Where can I find this book?

Don't forget to check out your local library!

Why not also try...