Families who loved Montmorency: Thief, Liar, Gentleman? by Eleanor Updale often look for books with a similar feel. These 20 recommendations were selected for their similarity in style, theme, and reading level.
Reach for this book when your child is beginning to question the complexities of adult life, the nature of secrets, and whether a person's past should define their future. It is a sophisticated choice for middle schoolers who are moving beyond simple 'good vs. evil' narratives and starting to appreciate the nuances of social identity and the grit of real-world history. The story follows a Victorian thief who uses a traumatic injury as a catalyst to reinvent himself, alternating between the life of a refined gentleman and his original identity in the criminal underworld. While it addresses themes of crime and deception, it does so with a keen eye on resilience and the power of education. It is an excellent bridge for readers who enjoy history but want a fast-paced, high-stakes plot that challenges their moral compass. Parents will appreciate the way it highlights the stark class divides of the 19th century while providing a page-turning mystery.
