This book went by fast! I actually managed to get it started on Friday night, then continued for the rest of the day on Sunday and finished it! It was so interesting I just wanted to know what was going to happen next. At first though I had to admit I wasn't sure what to expect with this novel. I was actually expecting a novel that was set in Venice back in the past, but surprisingly it actually took place in present day. Which didn't really make it uninteresting at all, it suited the setting just fine. I really liked the idea of a group of street children surviving and treating it all like one big adventure after another under the leadership of The Thief Lord. Although putting this in a historical fiction setting would also be good as well, it still does well in the present day setting albeit differently but it doesn't take long to get used to it.

The book was interesting enough, and the plot flowed through seamlessly. There was never a part in the book where I was bored. The chapters were short enough to keep you going and it was definitely a page turner. The majority of the characters were very likable although there were times where I wanted to smack Bo around a bit for being such a pest. Then again he played the role of little brother perfectly. I have to admit, Scipio had to be my favorite character. Especially after what happens to him near the end, I find that he has matured the most, but maintained his childhood self. I liked his character development the most. In the end though, all the children had matured and although it was sad to see everything change, it actually had quite a bittersweet ending. Why bittersweet? because I was just sad to see the story end with such likable characters.

Although a sequel might be tempting, I don't think there should be one. The ending was complete and all questions were answered. Actually, I think a sequel might actually ruin it. The story is fine as is. This book was a great mix of fantasy, adventure, and a bit of drama.

Overall, a really nice quick read, which will take you to an adventure and you'll ask yourself; Would you take a ride or not? ( )

Overall, I liked this book. There was an interesting plot with a number of twists, strong characters with good development throughout the story, and nice descriptive writing.However, this book is labeled as a fantasy story, but there is only one small element of fantasy within the entire book (and is only in a few chapters). The vast majority of the story (probably 90%) concerns the everyday exploits of a group of homeless children struggling to survive on the streets. I had been expecting more of a fantasy story, which may be why I've chosen to give the book 3 stars instead of 4. I think that the book itself was good, but it pales in comparison to other books in its genre. ( )

Funke, Cornelia. The Thief Lord. 2000. The Chicken House & Scholastic Inc.: New York.

Genre: Adventure, Fantasy

Themes: Theft, Orphans, Magic

Reading Level: ages 13-17

Awards: The Batchelder Award, New York Times Bestseller, School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Censorship Issues: There were no issues or language in this book that would cause need for censorship or for prohibiting it from students.

Plot Summary (250 words or less):
Prosper and Bo are the two main characters, their mother passed away and their wealthy aunt and uncle got custody of them. The aunt only has interest in the young child, Bo and plans to send the older child, Prosper away to boarding school. To avoid being separated, the brothers run away to the city of Venice, the place that their mother told them magical stories about. Once in Venice, the boys meet up with some other street kids who are orphans and runaways. The street kids live in an abandoned movie theatre and get their money from selling stolen items brought to them by “the Thief Lord”. The Thief Lord is a mysterious boy who little is known about for most of the story, but a shocking twist is revealed about him about mid-way through the book. When his secret is revealed, his relationship with the other children changes drastically. A private detective is hired by the aunt and eventually locates the boys, but they find ways to escape him. The street kids are offered a great sum of money to steal something that seems rather trivial. Throughout the story, the plot makes two major changes and the last third of the book is completely unexpected and has a magical twist.

Critique:
This book was well-written and quite interesting; once started, it’s hard to put it down. Readers would find it easy to follow and the characters easy to distinguish. The book was originally written in German, then translated to English, but that causes no language barrier or difficulties for the reader. There are quite a few words included in the story that are in Italian. Those words are typed in italics and are also explained briefly the first time they are used. If the reader forgets the meaning of that word, there is a glossary in the back of the book with those twenty or so words in Italian and English.

Curriculum Uses:
This book shows differences in living conditions in the United States and Italy, especially the city of Venice. It is quite different in a city with no streets or vehicles, many students probably are not already familiar with this. This book also provides much insight into the lives of orphans or runaways. The majority of children have no experience with these issues and never will, this book can fill that void and educate them about orphans and runaways. The book also deals with theft in multiple ways. In some scenes of the book, the reader wants the children to steal, to ensure they stay alive. In other portions of the book, the reader takes the moral route and does not want the children to steal. This book could definitely teach lessons dealing with theft.

ALA Batchelder Award (2003)
The Zurich Children's Book Award (2000);
The Children's Book Award from the Vienna House of Literature (2001).

Translated from a German novel about a band of child thieves, a detective and a magical merry-go-round. After their mother dies, 12-year-old Prosper and his brother, Bo, five, flee from Hamburg to Venice to escape an aunt who wants to adopt only Bo. They live in an abandoned movie theater with several other street children under the care of the Thief Lord, a cocky youth who claims to rob "the city's most elegant houses." A mysterious man hires the Thief Lord to steal a wooden wing, which the kids later learn has broken off a long-lost merry-go-round said to make "adults out of children and children out of adults," but the plan changes when Victor, the detective Aunt Esther hired to track the brothers, discovers their camp and reveals that the Thief Lord is actually from a wealthy family. ( )

(MS Adventure) The Thief Lord is a great adventure and a completely engrossing book. From the beginning, the readers sense the real jeopardy the children face but also have reassurance in the kind disposition of Victor. All the children are distinct and their desires and fears help drive the plot. Scipio, the Thief Lord, is complex and sympathetic despite the fact he lies to the others. Lastly, Venice, herself, is the most compelling character, full of magic and mystery! ( )