Crookhaven The School for Thieves

🏫🔏🎭🫆

by J J Arcanjo

★★★★★(★★★★★)

At a glance

Things I loved:

✍🏼 Author: J J Arcanjo

🎨 Cover artist: Euan Cook

📅 Release Date: 2nd March 2023

📚 Book type: Chapter, 323 pages

🌟 Reader level: Confident 8+

🕵️‍♂️ Crime & mischief
🎭 Deception & disguises
🤝 Teamwork & friendship
😂 Humour (Ade & Ede!)
🏫 Crookhaven lessons
🤍 Amira’s story

Dive Deeper

My Thoughts...

I was recommended Crookhaven when I was hunting for my next Y5/6 class read and HOLY SMOKES - WHAT A MASTERPIECE! I absolutely flew through this in a couple of hours (which is very rare for me) because I just could not put it down. The writing style is so slick, engaging and easy to follow and I already know this is going to be a huge hit with my class. (Thank you, Amy!)

Crookhaven is a fast-paced, crime-filled adventure packed with mischief, clever twists and lots of moments that had me both laughing and gasping out loud . The chapters are the perfect length - short enough to keep things moving, but bursting with action and cunning plots that make it impossible to put down.

One of my fav things was the characters: Gabriel, who is sharp, determined and brilliantly likeable; Ade and Ede who bring chaos and humour in the best way and then Penelope, driven and mysterious, with secrets that keep you guessing.

I also really loved how J J Arcanjo includes key themes (poverty, adoption, EAL and religion) without ever losing the pace of the story. Amira’s storyline in particular really stayed with me; her journey towards confidence felt so real and important.

The teachers are brilliant, the lessons sound ridiculously fun, and the whole concept of crime and mischief is handled in such a playful, light-hearted way that makes it perfect for UKS2.

This has easily become one of my new favourite class reads. It gave me the teamwork vibes of Skandar and the Unicorn Thief, the mission-driven energy of The Whisperwicks, and the danger and adventure of Impossible Creatures. Basically, a perfect mix of all my favourite things in one book!

🌟Would 100% recommend to anyone who hasn’t picked it up yet — especially for a class read.🌟

Blurb

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...