The Thief Lord, A Batchelder award-winning book

Review of The Thief Lord

A Batchelder Award-Winning Book

A. Book Information

Funke, Cornelia. 2002. Broadway, NY: Scholastic. ISBN 0-439-40437-1.

B. Plot Summary

Running away from an aunt and uncle who wish to separate two orphaned brothers, Prosper and Bo encounter a number of fascinating people and adventures. In the book, a young group of orphans find support through a fellow adolescent, “The Thief Lord.” In him, they find leadership, comfort, security, and direction. He supposedly steals for a living and even finds shelter for them in an abandoned movie theatre. As the story progresses, a secret about the Thief Lord is revealed, and the group can no longer remain the same. Banded together by their misfortunes and hopes, the group’s dynamics change, yet their basic needs of love and survival are always binding.

C. Critical Analysis

Cultural markers can be found through out the story, including the language, characters, and setting. The book was originally published in German, and has been translated into English by Oliver Latsch.

The language in the story offers cultural markers tied to the Italian culture and language. Many names are Italian (such as Scipio, Masco, and Riccio) and many terms are represented in a glossary. The terms themselves can most often be determined through the use of context clues. Terms such as Carabiniere, vaporetto, and lire are all used and can be found in the glossary.

The characters of the story are Italian, yet universal. The reader can identify with the young orphans, as they find adventure and true friendships. The strong universal theme of friendship makes this book identifiable with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The magical and mysterious city of Venice serves as the book’s backdrop for adventure. There is a map of Venice at the beginning of the book, allowing the reader to follow the paths of the characters as they wind through canals and passages.

In The Thief Lord, Funke has created a magical book with adventure and mystery, yet one that we can all relate to.

D. Review Excerpts

Kirkus Reviews had this to say about the book: “A bestselling author in Germany, who has reached the US for the first time, Funke delights readers in the feelings of childhood, what it feels like to be innocent, afraid, curious, and safe; need friends and love; and want independence yet also to be cared for. Although the core of this tale is heartwarming, the merry-go-round, like Ray Bradbury's carousel in Something Wicked This Way Comes, hints at darkness, leaving its riders and the novel's readers changed forever.”

Publishers Weekly says, “Wacky characters bring energy to this translation of an entertaining German novel about thieving children, a disguise-obsessed detective and a magical merry-go-round. The Venetian setting is ripe for mystery and the city's alleys and canals ratchet up the suspense in the chase scenes.”

Review accessed at:

http://www.bookbrowse.com/reviews/index.cfm?book_number=1078

E. Connections

Other books for young people written by Cornelia Funke.

· INKHEART. ISBN 0439709105

· INKSPELL. ISBN 0439554012

· DRAGONRIDER. ISBN 190444248X

IGRAINE THE BRAVE. ISBN 0439903793