Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Krawczyk
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Orphan finds family and purpose in heartfelt medieval tale.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 10+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
In THE PATRON THIEF OF BREAD, 8-year-old Duck is an orphan fished out of the river as a baby by a group of street children called the Crowns. In the fictional Medieval country of Avilogne, the Crowns follow their prickly leader Gnat as they pick pockets, steal food, and sleep in abandoned buildings in order to survive. In a plot to steal both bread and coins, Gnat places Duck as an apprentice to kindly Master Griselde Baker in the local town. As Duck learns to not only bake but also to read and write, her eyes are opened up to a whole new world. She feels torn between her old life with the Crowns and her new life with Master Griselde. When Gnat joins with another street gang to further harm the bakery, Duck is threatened into being part of their scheme. She doesn't know what to do and how to help the people she cares about. Can Duck keep both the Crowns and Master Griselde safe? Can she be part of both of their worlds? Interspersed among Duck's story are chapters told from the viewpoint of a gargoyle living atop the unfinished and abandoned cathedral in which the Crowns make their home. Before the story is over, Duck and the Gargoyle will intersect in an unexpected and fateful way.
Is It Any Good?
This is a beautifully told and emotionally compelling story about finding family, home, and community. In The Patron Thief of Bread, Duck transforms from a grubby street girl who barely speaks to a baker's apprentice who finds her voice and her place in the world. Readers get a bit of adventure and humor along with a vibrant Medieval setting and complex characters. Many of the books characters are endearing and admirable. Readers will learn about kindness and compassion from Master Griselde, about courage and integrity from Duck, and about resilience from the Crowns and others. Readers will also learn enough about breadmaking to induce hunger and perhaps to inspire them to try their own hand at baking bread.
This is a slower-paced, character-driven story. The chapters narrated by the gargoyle feel repetitive at times, although they tie in with Duck's story at various points and especially at the exciting climax. This gorgeously written book will be best appreciated by readers who enjoy complex characters and a detailed, vivid setting.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what it means to be "family" in The Patron Thief of Bread. Who is Duck's family in the beginning of the book? How does that change throughout the story? What do you think it means to be a family, and why?
At the beginning of the book, Duck barely speaks a word and Ash talks for her. What experiences and people help her learn to speak for herself and to act with integrity toward all the people she cares about?
Duck becomes Master Griselde Baker's apprentice and learns a lot about breadmaking. What did you learn about breadmaking from reading the book? Have you ever made bread or would you like to try?
Throughout the story, Master Griselde regularly shows compassion and kindness toward others. For example, she freely gives bread to those who are hungry and bakes special treats for friends who are sick or sad. What are some other examples? What ways can you show compassion and kindness to others in your own life?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Historical Fiction
- Topics : Friendship , History
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Courage , Integrity
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Candlewick Press
- Publication date : May 11, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 10 - 14
- Number of pages : 448
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle, App
- Award : Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
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