The Good Thieves
#1 in The Explorer Series
on Goodreads (3,458)
What’s inside...
The Good Thieves is a thrilling adventure story about a young girl named Vita who sets out to reclaim her grandfather's house from the man who swindled him out of it. With the help of a group of talented misfits, Vita devises a plan to break into the mansion and recover her family's lost fortune. The book is described as a dazzling tale of wild hope, lingering grief, admirable self-sufficiency, and intergenerational adoration. From award-winning author Katherine Rundell comes a fast-paced, sharp-turning, and utterly thrilling adventure, one driven at its heart by an extraordinarily powerful evocation of the loyalty and love between a grandfather and his granddaughter. Fresh off the boat from England, Vita Marlowe has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather Jack has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack's spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again, so she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home. She finds a young pickpocket, working the streets of the city. And, nearby, two boys with highly unusual skills and secrets of their own are about to be pulled into her lawless, death-defying plan. Katherine Rundell's fifth novel is a heist as never seen before--the story of a group of children who will do anything to right a wrong.
Discussion points
What qualities do you admire most about the main character, Vita, and why?
How do the relationships between the characters change throughout the story?
What would you have done differently if you were in Vita’s shoes during her adventures?
How do the settings in 'The Good Thieves' influence the mood and actions of the characters?
What did you learn about bravery and justice from this book?
Tip: Role play these questions
Emphasize the resilience and determination displayed by Vita, and discuss how these traits can be applied in real life situations.
Explore the historical context of the story with your child. Relate it to the present day, discussing any similarities or differences.
Discuss the moral decisions that characters faced throughout the book, and ask your child how they would have reacted in those situations.
Encourage your child to describe their favorite part of the book, and discuss why it stood out to them.
Use the vibrant settings described in the book as a springboard to discuss the importance of environment and atmosphere in storytelling.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Courage and resilience
Explanation: The protagonist, Vita, demonstrates courage by facing challenges head-on and devising a plan to reclaim her grandfather's stolen property. Despite obstacles, she remains determined and resilient.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to face their own fears and challenges with determination, understanding that resilience can lead to overcoming difficulties in their lives.
Example Lesson: Importance of teamwork
Explanation: Vita collaborates with a group of children, each with their unique skills, to achieve a common goal. The story illustrates how working together can harness the strengths of each team member.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply this by engaging in teamwork during school projects or sports, learning that cooperation can achieve greater results than working alone.
Example Lesson: Justice and fairness
Explanation: The book highlights the theme of justice as Vita seeks to retrieve what was unjustly taken from her family. It portrays the importance of standing up against wrongdoing.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the value of fairness and the importance of standing up for what is right, encouraging them to be advocates for justice in their everyday interactions.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: As Vita meets friends with different backgrounds and challenges, she learns to understand and empathize with their situations, which aids in their collective success.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be empathetic towards others' feelings and situations, fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment around them.