About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is in a mischievous phase or starting to question the fairness of rules and authority. It is a perfect choice for the reluctant reader who finds traditional 'hero' stories a bit dry and prefers a protagonist who operates in the grey areas of life with a wink and a smile. Smiff Smith enters a peculiar academy where the curriculum focuses on Victorian-style thievery, yet the heart of the story is about cleverness, justice, and the classic 'Robin Hood' mentality. Terry Deary, the mind behind Horrible Histories, uses his signature wit to blend historical atmosphere with a fast-paced adventure. While the premise is about crime, it is handled with such cartoonish absurdity and moral focus on helping the poor that it remains a safe, lighthearted exploration of identity and talent for children aged 7 to 11.
