Kid Thieves
When I came across Thieves’ Gambit at the library recently, I was so excited. Not just because it promised to be a good read (I love the heist-competition combination), but because it is written by my former critique partner, Kayvion Lewis. I’m so thrilled for Kayvion’s success and hope she finds many readers for her awesome series.
Reading Thieves’ Gambit brought to mind some other books that feature young people in the business of burglary. A tradition that perhaps started with Dickens’ Oliver Twist, writers seem to really like creating characters who are skilled at thievery. The books below deliver suspense and adventure, and maybe also the thrill of reading about something we wouldn’t dare ourselves. At least, let’s hope! Stealing is bad, kids!
Queen’s Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner (started 1996)
My friend Rachel introduced me this rich series. Gen is a thief whose boasting about his exploits lands him in jail. A powerful magus frees him from prison in order to steal a legendary stone called Hamiathes’s Gift. Through their adventure, Gen is launched onto a path that brings him in contact with magic, leaders, and politicians.
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier (2011)
Peter is a 10-year-old blind orphan who has been trained as a thief. And he’s very good at his craft. When he steals a box that contains three pairs of eyes, he embarks on an adventure. He tries on the first pair of eyes and is teleported to a hidden island. He and his cat/horse sidekick navigate the challenges and puzzles presented to be the heroes they were meant to be.
The Vengekeep Prophecy series by Brian Farrey and Brett Helquist (started 2012)
Jaxter Grimjinx belongs to a family of thieves. They’ve just pulled off their biggest con yet: replacing a tapestry that tells their village’s future with a fake that casts them as the heroes of the town. The trouble is that the tapestry has been accidentally made with magic threads that turn what is pictured into reality. Jaxter, who is cursed with clumsiness, must be the one to save the day and stop the worst from happening.
The Great Greene Heist and To Catch a Cheat by Varian Johnson (2014 and 2016)
Johnson’s The Parker Inheritance is well known (a great mystery), but I love these earlier books about Jackson Greene and his crew. It’s like Ocean’s Eleven for the middle-school set. Jackson has promised to stop causing mischief but can’t keep himself from one more job when his nemesis runs against his friend for student council president.
Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (2015)
This YA heist story is told in alternating perspectives so we can see all the players in action. Kaz is offered a large reward if he can break a scientist out of prison. Kaz assembles his crew — a spy, a soldier, a Grisha, a sharpshooter, and an explosives expert — and starts his mission, determined to succeed.
The Last Magician series by Lisa Maxwell (started 2017)
Esta lives in modern-day Manhattan and is a well-trained thief. Her magic is the ability to travel through time, where she steals magical artifacts. She has one more job to do: travel to 1902 and steal a book that contains all the secrets of magic and can either save or destroy what’s left of magic. This historical fantasy is mesmerizing and entertaining.
Thieves’ Gambit by Kayvion Lewis (2023)
The Quests are a family of thieves, and Ross Quest has been training for the job since birth. She’s starting to want something different from her life when she receives an invitation to the Thieves’ Gambit, a competition between the best young thieves in the world. The winner gets a valuable prize: one wish. Ross dismisses the idea until her mother is kidnapped and the ransom is a billion dollars. When she enters the competition, she knows she has the skills to succeed, but she’s unsure of what to make of her competitors, some of whom are old enemies and others seem to want to be friends. How can Ross trust anyone when there can only be one winner and one wish?