friend #7: The Thief Lord

            Ok. I think I’m gonna start the transition away from strictly children’s literature, although that genre may very well crop up again. After all, I do have paper friends my own age, in case you were wondering. This next book, though, I guess could still be considered a kid’s book although in my opinion it’s more of a young adult novel. I first read it when I was at least 10, I think, so we’ll say it pushes out of the children’s genre. I don’t know. I’m not here to define the genres, just review them. Next up: The Thief Lord.

Cornelia Funke, The Thief Lord, Scholastic, 2002 (U.S.)

            When I was about 10, one of my friends started a book club of about 10 or so girls, and we would get together weekly and take turns suggesting books to read and discuss. One of the books I discovered this way was Cornelia Funke’s The Thief Lord. The book begins by introducing us to Prosper and Bo, two orphaned brothers who have run away from their aunt and uncle and come to Venice, Italy, because their mother loved the city and talked about it often. The boys come under the protection of the Thief Lord, a boy who, as his title implies, steals for a living. The Thief Lord, whose proper name is Scipio, also shelters and/or employs three other vagrant children (Hornet, Riccio, and Mosca), and all six children have taken up residence in an abandoned movie theater.

            Although Scipio usually chooses his robbery targets himself, one day he receives a request to steal an ancient wooden wing with promises of a great reward. Not one to pass up a challenge, he agrees to the task, enlisting the help of all the other children in this high-stakes burglary. The children come to find that the wing is a broken off piece of an old carousel said to possess unearthly qualities. Along their journey to completing this task, they accidentally enlist the help of Victor the detective (hired by Prosper and Bo’s aunt to track the boys down), and Ida Spavento, the owner of the wing who is unaware of its importance.

            After the clan turns the wing over, they decide to follow their mysterious client to the carousel’s hiding place: the Isola Segreta—the Secret Isle. Once there, they observe the carousel’s amazing power. By riding it, one can change his or her age, either backwards or forwards. Scipio resolutely decides that he’s tired of childhood and ready for adults to begin taking him seriously. He rides the carousel and ages himself forward into perhaps his late teens. After grudgingly writing to his worried father to assure him of his safety, Scipio goes to work for Victor and joins his practice. Prosper, Bo, and Hornet are taken in by Ida, and Riccio and Mosca find odd work for themselves. None of the other children venture to ask Scipio if he ever regretted his ride on the carousel, but the six remain friends with each other. Prosper and Scipio make one more trip to the Isola Segreta, only to discover that the carousel has disappeared, to where they can only guess.

            This is a wonderful adventure-filled story that transports the reader to the beauty and history of Venice and throws in some Italian to boot. There’s even a glossary of Italian terms used in the back of the book, and a detailed map of Venice in the front. Details like that make The Thief Lord a wonderful novel to really lose yourself in. Cornelia Funke makes it easy to imagine that you’re there along with Prosper and Bo and Scipio and the rest of the gang. Although presumably no child wants to be orphaned and homeless, the carefree lifestyle of these urchins has a certain appeal. This illustrates yet another reason books are such worthwhile adventures: their stories provide portals to otherwise impossible or unpleasant situations and make them exciting and magical. The Thief Lord does exactly that. So gear up for the streets of Venice, and happy reading!


**Side note: in 2006, a movie version of the book was made that I haven't yet seen. From what I can tell, it's not the greatest piece of filmmaking in the world, but I shouldn't judge a movie by its trailer, I guess (although, that's what trailers are meant for...). Anyway, see the movie if you like, and tell me if it's good. But read the book first!!