Parents' Guide to

The Thief Lord

By Matt Berman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 10+

A modern version of the shipwrecked story.

Book Cornelia Funke Fantasy 2003
The Thief Lord Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 9+

Based on 4 parent reviews

Bryan P.
Bryan P. Adult
January 9, 2017
age 10+

Adventure and Thrilling Book

Prosper and his brother Bo run away from there aunts house and go to Venice after there parents death and meets new friends where and a guy who’s name is Scipio and calls himself Thief Lord. When Prosper and Bo’s aunt finds out where they went she hires a detective to find them and take Bo and leave Prosper to an orphanage. Prosper struggles to hide from here aunt. Prosper doesn’t want Bo to go with her aunt, on the other hand his aunt wants Bo to live with her. The theme of this story is friendship. I like this book because it is full of surprises and adventure. In the story Prosper and the gang will always go out in Venice and sell what the thief lord finds for them and get alot of money. I would recommend this book to other people because you will like the surprises that happen in this story. Prosper and the gang fined out that they were betrayed by a friend.

This title has:

Too much violence
megcain16
megcain16 Adult
June 16, 2015
age 11+
This is a very unique, well-written story. However, the story is more entertaining than educational. Although the author does include some Italian vocabulary, the only strong positive message is sibling loyalty. Unfortunately, this book also paints lying and stealing in a positive light, although in a subtle way.
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After their mother's death, Prosper and Bo run away from their unpleasant aunt Esther, who plans to adopt Bo and send Prosper off to boarding school. Arriving in Venice they fall in with a small group of children who live in an abandoned theater and make a living by stealing, led by a boy who calls himself the Thief Lord.

Tracked by an eccentric detective hired by their aunt, the children instead capture the detective and hold him prisoner while planning a theft, commissioned by a mysterious Conte, of a broken wooden wing that comes from a legendary, and possibly magical, carousel.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (21):

The great popularity of this book with children is something of a mystery. It is very slow to get started, the fantasy element doesn't appear until the last 75 pages, there's little emotional involvement, and the rest of the story meanders as much as the winding canals of Venice. For adults, the story is also problematic -- none of the grownup characters ring true or behave like any adult you've ever met. And the amorality of the children, and the author, is a concern.

But perhaps that's what makes the book appealing to children: For them the fantasy begins long before the magic appears, with self-sufficient children and adults who let them be, crime without punishment, and complete freedom. Living on their own in a theater in Venice, with kindly adults around to care for them but not bother them or make them clean up and go to school, must seem like a magical fantasy to children whose lives are programmed and whose every waking minute is supervised.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the orphans' lifestyle. What are positive aspects of their lifestyle? What are the risks? Were Prosper and Bo right to run away?

Book Details

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