Families who loved To Catch a Thief by Matt Forbeck 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 starting to test boundaries or questioning why we follow certain rules. It is an ideal pick for the middle-grade reader who feels a bit restless with traditional narratives and wants to exercise their own sense of agency. Set in the high-fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons, the story follows a young pickpocket who is blackmailed into a rescue mission to find a stolen baby griffon. Beyond the magic and monsters, this is a sophisticated exercise in social-emotional learning. Because the reader makes the choices, they are directly responsible for the protagonist's integrity and safety. It explores themes of accountability and the gray areas between 'lawful' and 'good' in a way that feels like a game but functions as a moral mirror. It is perfect for children aged 8 to 12 who enjoy video games but need more practice with reading stamina and ethical reasoning.