Can't go wrong with a Katherine Rundell! Love her retro style and humour - perfect for children and adults alike.

An extremely well written and heartfelt adventure story.
Although this has been clearly marketed as a middle grade novel I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this to anyone of any age.
It is beautiful and exciting and it made my heart happy.
In fact I cannot call to mind anything I didn't like about it.

It's almost a bit sad that I finished this book in two sittings, because it was (as Rundell's books always are) heartwarming, funny and full of unique characters in a perfect setting!

Molto carino e avventuroso.

Review : The good thieves by Katherine Rundell is a tale that emanates hope, determination, compassion and above all the message that nothing is impossible if you put your heart to it.

Vita our protagonist is one, amazing spirit who vows to bring back the lost smile of her grandfather after, his castle where he spent all his life and on which all his fond memories embed is snatched away by the evil Sorrotore, our ruthless villain. She builds her unusual and unconventional troupe with the likes of Silk,a pick pocket who is an orphan; Arkady, who is mesmerized by animals and birds and vice versa. Samuel, her third band member is an aspiring gymnast who also has his own hidden secret.

I will do it for the glory! We'll go down in history - like Robin Hood! The Good Thieves.

-  Arkady.

The Good Thieves is a story of friendship and the battle of good against evil. It is humorous, witty and fast paced. I cannot emphasize enough on how Katherine Rundell has perfectly represented the character of Vita, a disabled but iron willed polio survivor. She has amazing planning skills and is not one to be messed with. The glam and glitz of the 1930's New York circus is vividly narrated and we get to see how Vita, is drawn by it. Vita's exceptional love for her family is something that took my heart away. Silk, as a character has more sharp edges than Vita, owing to how she has fended herself ever since her parents demise. Arkady, in my opinion was soft spoken and the kind who could never even imagine to hurt a fly. Samuel, on the other hand fights for his passion and is a true example of following your dreams.

The best defense when you have done something wrong is anger.
- Silk

I opine that middle graders especially could learn a lot from this absolutely unputdownable adventure story in terms of the versatile characters that are drastically different from each other but complete paradigm in every sense.



THE GOOD THIEVES by KATHERINE RUNDELL is an adventured to be embarked upon and enjoyed both by children, middle graders and adults alike.

The Good Thieves is a wonderful heist story about a group of unlikely thieves. You will love the main character, Vita, who doesn't let anything stop her in life: not her age, and certainly not her disability. She puts it upon herself to save her Grandfather from despair, by stealing back a family heirloom. I recommend it as a fun story with a whole lot of heart for readers aged 8 to 11 years old.

This is such a brilliant adventures - Katherine Rundell writes the best adventures and I long to have her skill in weaving a story, dropping clues, creating characters that are enchanting and empowering and creating worlds in older time periods which are both real and magical. I highly recommend reading her books with kids, and on your own!

Katherine Rundell's books are a delight. She writes like she is weaving magic to become something beautiful and real.

I had such a good time reading The Good Thieves. The descriptions of New York City post-WWII, the incredible and diverse cast of characters assembled... the story! I was pulled in by the mystery, and THE PLAN - a mix of childish belief and whimsy and yes, magic, so slight that you could blink and miss it. This book is perfect to read when you are feeling slightly hopeless and you want to restore what its like to believe in something. Just because something is impossible... doesn't mean its not worth doing.

5 stars.