Crookhaven The School for Thieves: Book 1
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By J.J. Arcanjo
avg rating
8 reviews
Shortlisted for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2023
ONE OF THE THE SUNDAY TIMES BEST BOOKS FOR CHILDREN 2023
The first book in the ‘criminally good’ Crookhaven series, the secret school where students are taught to do wrong, so that one day, they can put the world to rights.
""So this is really a school for criminals."" It was meant as a question, though it came out more as an accusation.
""We are so much more than that,"" Caspian said, sitting in a plush leather chair and gesturing for Gabriel to sit in a similar one across the table. ""We are a home for the forgotten, a sanctuary for the lost and … yes, a training ground for the greatest crooks of the future.""
13-year-old Gabriel is a brilliant pickpocket, a skill which he uses to keep his often empty belly not quite so empty. And then one day, he’s caught.
But instead of being arrested, he is invited by the mysterious Caspian Crook to attend Crookhaven – a school for thieves. At Crookhaven, students are trained in lock-picking, forgery and ‘crim-nastics’, all with the intention of doing good out in the world, by conning the bad and giving back to the innocent.
But … can you ever really trust a thief?
With a school wide competition to be crowned Top Crook and many mysteries to uncover, Gabriel’s first year at Crookhaven will be one to remember…
An irresistible series about chosen family, high stakes thievery, and what it really means to do good. Perfect for fans of M.G. Leonard and Anthony Horowitz. TweetReviews
Good
This would be great for children who like Harry Potter, but are not very interested in fantasy.
So interesting
I really enjoyed this book, despite its similarities to a certain boy wizard series. The characters were all quite likeable and the story was riveting enough to hold interest. Looking forward to the next one and in the meantime, I’ll enjoy sharing this one with the children in my school.
Loved the front cover and the image of where it all happens on the back. Yes, it’s set in a boarding school but with some very interesting subjects on the curriculum! Gabriel has his issues but is a likeable character with a strong sense of right and wrong. The story moves at a pace with intrigue starting in the first chapter.
A new author to me but definitely one to look out for! Follow up, “The Forgotten Maze” is due next month (August 2023)
Fiction. The characters were great, I think children would be choosing who they would be, would want to be at this 'school'. I would be Penelope. I was expecting the storyline to veer into Harry Potter territory, but was very happy to read a totally different storyline. Can't wait to grab Book 2. 5 star all the way. Hoping this will become a long series.
I really enjoyed this. A school story, not unlike Harry Potter, but for talented young thieves
A Harry Potter type school story except for children who are talented thieves.
A well thought out book lots of detail and interesting characters. I enjoyed it
