I love covers which hint at the tale, and the one on today's read does just that. I haven't read the blurb closely (just skimmed) but already have ideas swirling in my head. There's the airship at the top, which reminds of the Hindenburg...so historic aspects or steampunk? The skyline of an older London also has me thinking 'historical aspects'. Then, we have the town in the mountains, so that....hmmm...hints at travel? Maybe, that's the secret school? Lastly, the keyhole on the bottom is inviting to be unlocked. Now, add that there is a school for thieves, and this promises to pack all sorts of fun.
Let's see if all of this adds up to describe a lovely read or not!
(Note: I'm going to slide this one onto my possible favorites of the year list.)
THE SCHOOL FOR THIEVES
by Peter Burns
Aladdin
Middle Grade Fantasy
352 pages
ages 8 to 12
A young pickpocket gets recruited into an elite group of thieves in this “page-turning, edge-of-the-seat” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) upper middle grade boarding school adventure full of heists, danger, and secret plots perfect for fans of Spy School and Keeper of the Lost Cities.
Tom Morgan’s life on the streets of London consists of shining shoes, picking pockets, and keeping his group of street kids out of the hands of snatchers. When he fails at the last and their home is raided, Tom is the only one not carted off to the workhouse. He’s determined to rescue his friends, but breaking into the workhouse is a nearly impossible task, let alone breaking back out.
Tom is at a loss until he’s approached by a mysterious figure claiming to be an accomplished thief and Tom’s ticket to the best training in the clandestine arts in the an elite international boarding school that would teach him all the skills necessary to help his friends. Without any better ideas—and his curiosity piqued—Tom accepts the invitation.
Whisked away to the snowy Alps, Tom enters a thrilling world of intrigue and heists. But the deeper he gets into the Shadow League, the harder it becomes to leave. Tom has to learn fast and uncover the nefarious secrets within the league to have any chance of saving himself, his friends—and maybe even the world.
Tom Morgan’s life on the streets of London consists of shining shoes, picking pockets, and keeping his group of street kids out of the hands of snatchers. When he fails at the last and their home is raided, Tom is the only one not carted off to the workhouse. He’s determined to rescue his friends, but breaking into the workhouse is a nearly impossible task, let alone breaking back out.
Tom is at a loss until he’s approached by a mysterious figure claiming to be an accomplished thief and Tom’s ticket to the best training in the clandestine arts in the an elite international boarding school that would teach him all the skills necessary to help his friends. Without any better ideas—and his curiosity piqued—Tom accepts the invitation.
Whisked away to the snowy Alps, Tom enters a thrilling world of intrigue and heists. But the deeper he gets into the Shadow League, the harder it becomes to leave. Tom has to learn fast and uncover the nefarious secrets within the league to have any chance of saving himself, his friends—and maybe even the world.
MY TIDBITS
With the very first page, a world of adventure opens up to a rich world with danger and heart.
Tom Morgan has spent most of his thirteen years of life on the streets as a pick-pocket, helping to keep the little community of forgotten kids alive and safe from the workhouses. The scars on his body prove how horrible those are. But not all of the kids realize how terrible these houses are, especially when they continue to promises beds and food. When a raid of the kids' hiding place leaves everyone but Tom captured and placed in one of these horrid places, he's determined to free them...no matter what. While he desperately tries to think of a plan, he runs across a gentleman who can change everything. The man knows everything about him and seems to have been watching him for years. He even knew the one friend, who had taught Tom so many tricks to survive. Tom can have everything...riches and the chance to free every child in that workhouse...but to do so, he's going to have to do the impossible and become one of the best thieves in a school where every student comes from a household of generations of thieves. And he only has a few months to do it.
This is one of the strongest books on the world-building end for middle graders that I've come across this year. The setting immediately threw me back into a London similar to Oliver Twist's. The problems hook right away, and with Tom's personality, create a world and characters to enjoy. The pacing is steady the entire way through, keeping a smooth balance between depth, description, intrigue, and action. I was, actually, surprised that this is one book and not the beginning of a series, since the school itself doesn't even hit until about halfway through. But the author packs it all in, and that without feeling overly rushed. There are definite nods of the usual school set-up, which seems to haunt middle grade novels since Harry Potter appeared, and a cup competition, too, between the schools (instead of houses within the school). But it carries the needed tension and excitement to keep those pages turning. I'd recommend this one to the upper end of the middle grader range and even up into tweens and lower YA.
Fans of exciting adventures with dark undertones similar to Oliver Twist or Six of Crows are sure to enjoy this.
I WAS INFORMED THAT THERE IS A BOOK 2 COMING!!!!!!! SO, I'M GETTING EXCITED ABOUT THAT!
And here he is...
Peter Burns is the author of ten critically acclaimed nonfiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards—twice for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The truth, however, is that he’s always wanted to write children’s books, so The School for Thieves is a dream come true. Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a master’s in publishing at Napier University. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, four kids, and a slightly nervous cocker spaniel. He isn’t a thief, a spy, an assassin, or a politico. Or is he? Visit him at PeterBurnsAuthor.com.
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