Books About Heists

The Best Heists Books for Kids

By the Bookroo Editors

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Looking for excellent children's books about heists? This collection brings together Bookroo's highest-rated and most useful picks in one place.

Start with our editorial favorites, then browse recommendations organized by reading stage to find the right book for your reader.

The Shortlist

Our 10 Favorite Books About Heists

Six of Crows
Sale price
$1498
Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2015

Six of Crows

By Leigh Bardugo · Book #1 in the Six of Crows series

Six outcasts. One impossible heist. Can they survive each other and save the world?

465 pages· 134,876 words· Est. 12.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 1,214,641 ratings
$15.99Save 6%
Paperback
Summary: In the bustling city of Ketterdam, criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker assembles a crew for a heist that promises untold riches. Joined by a vengeful convict, a gambling sharpshooter, a runaway, a stealthy spy, a magical Heartrender, and a cunning thief, Kaz faces a mission fraught with danger. As tensions rise, can these six outcasts pull off the impossible without tearing each other apart? Dive into a world where the stakes are high, and the line between survival and destruction is razor-thin. Will they succeed, or will their differences lead to their downfall?
The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds
Sale price
$574
Chapter Book · Ages 7–9 · 1980

The Mystery of the Stolen Diamonds

By David A. Adler, Susanna Natti (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Cam Jansen series

A young girl with a photographic memory helps solve a jewelry store robbery with her friend and her friend's baby brother

58 pages· 4,761 words· Est. 53 min read
3.9 Goodreads · 5,581 ratings
$5.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: Cam Jansen, with her photographic memory, witnesses a jewelry store heist at the mall. The police arrest the wrong suspect, leaving Cam and her friend Eric to solve the mystery. Can Cam's keen eye and quick thinking uncover the true thief before it's too late? Dive into this thrilling adventure where every detail counts, and justice hangs in the balance. Perfect for young readers transitioning to chapter books, this story promises excitement and a clever heroine who never backs down from a challenge.
Swindle
Sale price
$1597
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2008

Swindle

By Gordon Korman · Book #1 in the Swindle series

A kid plans a daring heist to reclaim a stolen treasure.

256 pages· 34,722 words· Est. 5 hour read
7.0/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 19,873 ratings
$16.99Save 6%
Hardcover
Summary: Griffin Bing, an 11-year-old mastermind, assembles a quirky team to retrieve his stolen baseball card from a cunning collector. Facing a fierce guard dog, advanced security, and their own inexperience, can they outsmart the odds and reclaim what's theirs? Join this thrilling caper where every twist brings laughter and suspense. Will Griffin's plan succeed, or will the obstacles prove too great?
The Thief Lord
Sale price
$958
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2000

The Thief Lord

By Cornelia Funke, Christian Birmingham (Illustrator)

Two brothers flee to Venice, pursued by a detective, uncovering a magical treasure that alters time.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award (2003)
368 pages· 86,063 words· Est. 12 hour read
5.8/7 Bookroo·4.0/5 Goodreads · 103,833 ratings
$9.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In the shadowy alleys of Venice, orphaned brothers Prosper and Bo find refuge with a band of street children led by the enigmatic Thief Lord. As they embrace their new life of petty crime, their past catches up with them—a relentless detective and a magical treasure capable of bending time threaten their newfound freedom. Can they outwit their pursuers and protect their secret haven, or will the allure of the treasure unravel everything? Dive into a world where the past and present collide, and nothing is as it seems.
Europa
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2026

Europa

By James Ponti · Book #7 in the City Spies series

Spies race to stop a criminal's escape and prevent attacks across Europe.

384 pages· 61,693 words· Est. 8.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 1,937 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: The City Spies face their toughest mission yet as a criminal mastermind threatens chaos unless freed. Racing through Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, they must solve cryptic codes and unravel clues to prevent disaster. Can they outsmart the villain and keep Europe safe?
War Games
Sale price
$1797
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2025

War Games

By Alan Gratz

An Olympic gymnast uncovers a dark secret in 1936 Berlin, risking everything to thwart a sinister plot.

368 pages· 68,845 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.1 Goodreads · 2,819 ratings
$18.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: In 1936 Berlin, young gymnast Evie Harris is thrilled to compete in the Olympics. But beneath the spectacle, she uncovers a chilling secret: the Nazis' grip on the city is tightening. As war looms, Evie is drawn into a daring plot to steal Nazi gold. Navigating treacherous alliances and hidden dangers, she must decide between her Olympic dreams and confronting evil. With her family's future at stake, can Evie outmaneuver the shadows before time runs out?
Crooked Kingdom
Sale price
$1398
Chapter Book · Ages 12–18 · 2016

Crooked Kingdom

By Leigh Bardugo · Book #2 in the Six of Crows series

A crew's survival hinges on outsmarting powerful foes in a city of secrets.

536 pages· 160,962 words· Est. 15 hour read
4.6 Goodreads · 808,622 ratings
$14.99Save 7%
Paperback
Summary: Kaz Brekker and his crew, fresh from a daring heist, find themselves betrayed and vulnerable. With powerful forces closing in on Ketterdam, they must navigate treacherous streets to uncover secrets of a potent drug. As old rivals and new foes test their fragile loyalties, a battle for revenge and redemption looms, threatening the fate of the Grisha world. Can Kaz outwit his enemies and protect his team, or will the city's shadows consume them all?
The Bad Guys in The Serpent and the Beast
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$674
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2024

The Bad Guys in The Serpent and the Beast

By Aaron Blabey · Book #19 in the The Bad Guys series

Villains turn heroes in a quest to do good, despite their reputation.

192 pages· 1,515 words· Est. 17 min read
4.3 Goodreads · 1,151 ratings
$6.99Save 4%
Paperback
Summary: In a world where appearances deceive, a group of notorious 'Bad Guys' embarks on a mission to prove they're more than their reputation. As they tackle daring deeds, these unlikely heroes face challenges that test their resolve and redefine what it means to be good. Can they overcome their past and change perceptions, or will their efforts backfire? Dive into this laugh-out-loud adventure where the line between villainy and heroism blurs, and nothing is as it seems.
Ava & Carol Detective Agency
Sale price
$2659
Chapter Book · Ages 9–12 · 2023

Ava & Carol Detective Agency

By Thomas Lockhaven, Emily Chase · Book #1 in the Ava & Carol Detective Agency Series series

Two young detectives race to recover stolen diamonds before they vanish forever.

378 pages· 85,773 words· Est. 9.5 hour read
4.5 Goodreads · 259 ratings
$27.99Save 5%
Hardcover
Summary: Ava and Carol, spirited young detectives, face a thrilling challenge: recover the stolen Ramesses diamonds before they're smuggled out of the country. As they dive into the mystery, they must outsmart cunning criminals and race against time. Will their wit and courage be enough to save the priceless jewels, or will the thieves escape with their treasure? Join Ava and Carol on a high-stakes adventure filled with twists and turns, where every clue could be the key to solving the case and bringing justice to light.
Trust No One
Sale price
$1248
Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2012

Trust No One

By Linda Sue Park · Book #5 in the The 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers series

A hidden traitor threatens Amy and Dan's family. Can they uncover the mole before it's too late?

190 pages· 40,444 words· Est. 5.5 hour read
4.2 Goodreads · 15,388 ratings
$12.99Save 4%
Hardcover
Summary: Thirteen-year-old Dan Cahill and his sister Amy face their greatest challenge yet. With seven family members kidnapped by the elusive Vespers, they must uncover a traitor within their ranks. As time ticks away, Amy and Dan race to identify the mole before another hostage falls. Who can they trust in a world where betrayal lurks in the shadows? The stakes are life and death, and the siblings must act swiftly to save their family and themselves from a devastating blow.
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Heists Picture Books

Illustrated read-alouds about heists for preschool and elementary-age readers.

Ant-Man
Sale price
$3422

Ant-Man

Ages 0–8 · 2015

A thief-turned-hero shrinks to save the day.

Penguin in Peril
Sale price
$1799

Penguin in Peril

Ages 3–7 · 2013

Three cats kidnap a penguin for fish, but chaos ensues.

Minions
Sale price
$599

Minions

Ages 3–7 · 2019

Minions seek a new villainous master at Villain-Con, sparking a comedic quest for the ultimate evil boss.

Archer
#4 in Series
Sale price
$3421

Archer

Ages 8–12 · 2018

A master thief faces a mysterious archer. Who will prevail?

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Browse by age

Heists Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about heists for developing and independent readers.

Arcade Catastrophe
Series
Sale price
$999

Arcade Catastrophe

Ages 8–11 · 2012

Magical stamps grant powers, but a hidden secret could change everything. Can Nate and friends uncover the truth?

Pilfer Academy
Sale price
$799

Pilfer Academy

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Kidnapped to a school for thieves, George must choose between crime and his conscience.

Sting
#2 in Series
Sale price
$799

Sting

Ages 8–12 · 2016

Twins must steal cursed sapphires to escape a deadly heist gone wrong.

The Racc Pack
Series
Graphic Nov.
Sale price
$1399

The Racc Pack

Ages 7–10 · 2024

Raccoons plan a daring heist on a grocery store's trash, facing high-tech defenses.

Heist Society
#1 in Series
Sale price
$1099

Heist Society

Ages 12–15 · 2010

A young thief must reclaim stolen art to save her father from a deadly enemy.

Such Charming Liars
Sale price
$1499

Such Charming Liars

Ages 14–+ · 2024

A heist turns deadly, and two estranged step-siblings must trust each other to survive.

View all heists chapter books
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