The Good Thieves

Seem like a kids' book but pretty good for teens too.Before reading this i could'nt really imagine action in a book but this portrays it very well

The book narrates the story of Vita Marlowe, a middle grade kid, who arrives in New York City with a task in hand. Her beloved Grandpa was cheated out of his ancestral home by a wicked man named Sorrotore. Vita was hell bent on stealing back what was stolen from her Grandpa. Thus she forms her little gang of ‘Good Thieves’ that includes Arkady, who can talk to animals and birds, Samuel, who was a gymnast, both working at a circus and lastly, Silk, who was a pick pocket and an expert in breaking into any locker. This gang of four middle grades are ready to face any danger and bring back what belonged to Vita’s Grandpa at any cost. Little did they know that Sorrotore has his men observe Vita’s activities very closely. Will these four get away from Sorrotore’s web unharmed? Or will they fall prey to him? Read the book to find out.This was one of the few middle grade books I read which turned out to be highly enthralling. I loved the protagonist Vita. She is someone who is full of hope and determination. The author’s narrative style is descriptive and that is what I loved the most about this book. There are few plot twists in the book but, the way the author narrated the story, kept me hooked to the book throughout. The pace of the book was fast, the language used is simple and lucid, easy for middle grade students to understand. This book qualifies for every age. And yes, it’s one of my favorites from this year. So, pick it up asap because you’re gonna love it.

The most super-fun thing about this book is, author Katherine has portrayed each character with fantastic visualization and individualities. Like Vita who can do anything for her grandfather, whether she has overlooked her physical inabilities. Silk who wants to left pick pocketing and want to live a normal life and for that she joined them to help Vita. Arcady who showed his strong friendship towards Vita & Samuel, who wants to fly high with his amazing talents. The story is set in 1920/30’s New York, after the First World War. The book is full of thrill, adventure, dramatic, friendship and didactic. It’s a complete package and well worth reading. If you don’t want to pick a middle-grade novel, this pick it as an adventure one.Ratings : 4.5/5 ⭐️

A little too kiddish unfortunately

Vita set her jaw and nodded at New York City in greeting, as a boxer greets an opponent before a fight.I love reading a middle grade book from time to time. I love the concept of stealing back what is ours or stealing from thieves! The story revolves around Vita and her friends who have decided to steal back her late grandmother’s precious jewellery. ‘Justice’, Grandpa (Vita’s Grandpa Jack Welles) wrote in his letter ,’seems to be only for those who can afford it’.I loved the plot of the story but felt that something was missing in the narration. Vita teams up with I just couldn’t continue reading at one point (which is why I took so much time) and was honestly disappointed with the book.The plan had brought back her appetite, as often do.Vita hatches an elaborate plan to steal with her team consisting Silk (a pickpocket), Arkady and Samuel ( two talented kids from the circus) and Vita herself. They all have specific roles to play in the heist but the problem is Vita has a limp and can’t run /walk really fast. The turn of events was good and I loved how friendship develops among the four of them.I know for a fact that it was aimed at a different age group. Nevertheless the story was interesting and adventurous.

"The Good Thieves" by Katherine Rundell is a middle grade novel filled with action, adventure, fun, hope, friendship and all. The story takes off with our protagonist Vita Marlowe who was on her way from Liverpool to Newyork with her mother Julia to meet her grandfather Jack who had been cheated out of his ancestral home by a greedy Newyork millionaire Victor Sorrotore. On seeing the injustice done to her grandfather, Vita was determined to set things right. So she devises a plan to outwit her enemy (Sorrotore) along with her newly found friends Arkady (an animal tamer), Samuel (a trapeze artist) and Silk (a lockpicker). Together the four set on an adventure to reclaim Hudson Castle from the evil hands of Sorrotore.Rundell had so vividly presented the 1930's New york. I liked the setting and the narration. What I loved most about this book was the characters. Vita Marlowe was one of the strongest female protagonists I have ever read in a fiction. Rundell had very strongly registered a message through Vita's character that with determination anything is possible despite the physical disabilities. Samuel's character had set an example that with dedication and hardwork one would be able to acheive his/her dream despite the limitations. More than the plot, I liked the moral this book carries.

I heard Ms.Rundell speak on NPR when Saturday morning and started to investigate her books. "The Good Thieves" is my first one but not my last.I just finished and my heart is full of joy for these characters and their brave mission. Don't miss it.

A mi hija le ha encantado este libro y otros de la misma autora

Whenever I pick up a Katherine Rundell book I get that tingle of excitement, like a child on Christmas Eve. I’m always torn between diving straight in or holding back as there’s always that feeling of emptiness at finishing the read and then knowing you have to wait for her next offering.Katherine Rundell immediately became one of my favourite authors after I read The Wolf Wilder. Working as a primary school teacher, I often hear, "I don't know what to read." For KS2 children, I will often point them in the direction of a Katherine Rundell book - Rooftoppers and The Wolf Wilder being my two favourites...that is until now.Her most recent book, The Good Thieves, does not disappoint - it is middle-grade, adventure story-telling at its very best. A romp of an adventure about a ragtag quartet who set out to right a wrong. From the gritty streets of New York to the relic of Hudson Castle, the settings are described vividly and are brought to life by Rundell's rich use of vocabulary and her seamless construction of prose that are woven together so expertly. I loved the wonderfully eclectic mix of colourful characters; the villainous gangster, the pick-pocket, the wanna-be circus stars. The story is told through the eyes of main character Vita. She is a tough and determined girl who is very set on making things rights. Vita lives her life by the line from the first page of the book, "But it is not always sensible to be sensible."This book has everything for me - I love a good heist and this has book has this and so much more.I write this review at a time of strict government quarantining around the world. If we have to be in quarantine, being quarantined inside Rundell’s imagination is a fine place to be.

Un libro de aventuras para niños y no tan niños. Fácil de leer. Espero que algún día podamos ver la película. Me ha encantado, a mis hijos también.

My 10 year old Loves this book! He read it super fast & passed it to two of his friends who also read it at lightning speed! All three kids (2 boys & 1 girl) couldn’t stop raving about it! I may get the audible version when it comes out, because my 5 year old has heard so much about it that he wants to hear the book too!