Books About Thieves · 315 titles considered

The Best Thieves Books for Kids

Looking for excellent children's books about thieves? 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 Thieves

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2018

The Eleventh Trade

By Alyssa Hollingsworth

A boy must trade up from a keychain to reclaim his grandfather's stolen instrument.

304 pages· 53,985 words· Est. 6 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 376 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: Sami, a young refugee, faces a daunting challenge when his grandfather's cherished rebab is stolen. With only a keychain and a dream, he embarks on a daring quest to trade up to $700. Each trade brings him closer to reclaiming the instrument and finding his place in a new world. Can Sami navigate the complexities of friendship and fear to achieve the impossible? Discover the heartwarming journey of resilience and hope in 'The Eleventh Trade.'

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 8–12 · 2015

Grounded

By Megan Morrison · Book #1 in the Tyme series

Rapunzel's enchanted tower hides secrets. A thief's arrival changes everything.

384 pages· 100,876 words· Est. 14 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 3,788 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Rapunzel's life in a magical tower is perfect until Jack, a daring thief, disrupts her world. As he questions the truths told by her beloved Witch, Rapunzel is driven to explore the ground below. What she discovers is a realm of danger and wonder beyond her wildest dreams. Can she trust Jack, or is the Witch's protection all she needs? Embark on a journey where Rapunzel must unravel the mysteries of her own story and decide her fate in a world more complex than she ever imagined.

Sale price

$1248

Chapter Book · Ages 7–10 · 2018

Mac Undercover

By Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Mac B., Kid Spy series

A young boy receives a call from the Queen of England, asking for his help in retrieving a stolen spoon.

160 pages· 10,469 words· Est. 1.5 hour read

4.2/5 Goodreads · 2,443 ratings

$12.99Save 4%

Summary: Meet Mac B., a kid turned secret agent for the Queen of England. When the Crown Jewels vanish, Mac embarks on a global quest filled with secret identities and karate antics. Can he retrieve the treasure before it's too late? Dive into a world of humor, history, and adventure as Mac navigates the thrilling life of a young spy. Will his cleverness and courage be enough to solve the mystery? Join the chase and find out!

Sale price

$574

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2006

Sleepover Sleuths

By Carolyn Keene, Macky Pamintuan (Illustrator) · Nancy Drew and the Clue Crew series

A doll goes missing at a sleepover. Can a young detective solve the mystery?

96 pages· 10,174 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 3,088 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

Summary: At Deirdre's sleepover, excitement turns to mystery when her prized City Girls doll, Hollywood Heather, vanishes. Eight-year-old Nancy Drew, with her friends George and Bess, must unravel the clues before the party is ruined. Can Nancy's budding detective skills save the day, or will the mystery remain unsolved? Join the adventure and see if you can help crack the case!

Sale price

$674

Chapter Book · Ages 6–9 · 2011

The Fenway Foul-Up

By David A. Kelly, Mark Meyers (Illustrator) · Book #1 in the Ballpark Mysteries series

A baseball bat is stolen from a famous player and two kids try to solve the mystery.

112 pages· 9,681 words· Est. 2 hour read

4.0/5 Goodreads · 955 ratings

$6.99Save 4%

Summary: Cousins Mike and Kate are thrilled to be at Fenway Park, thanks to Kate's mom's connections. But excitement turns to mystery when the Red Sox's star hitter loses his lucky bat, stolen in plain sight. Without it, his performance falters, risking the team's success. Can Mike and Kate unravel the mystery and save the game before it's too late? Dive into this thrilling whodunnit set in the iconic Boston ballpark, where every clue counts and the stakes are high for the home team.

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

3.9/5 Goodreads · 5,573 ratings

$5.99Save 4%

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.

Sale price

$858

Chapter Book · Ages 10–13 · 2015

Flunked

By Jen Calonita · Book #1 in the Fairy Tale Reform School series

A young thief faces former villains at a reform school. Can she trust them?

242 pages· 45,738 words· Est. 5 hour read

3.8/5 Goodreads · 14,113 ratings

$8.99Save 5%

Summary: Twelve-year-old Gilly, a skilled thief from a struggling family, is caught and sent to Fairy Tale Reform School. Here, former villains like the Big Bad Wolf and the Evil Queen are teachers. As Gilly befriends fellow students Jax and Kayla, they uncover a brewing battle. Can Gilly trust these reformed villains, or is there more to their story? Dive into a world where fairy tale endings are just the beginning.

Sale price

$1498

Chapter Book · Ages 5–9 · 2006

Mercy Watson Fights Crime

By Kate DiCamillo, Chris Van Dusen (Illustrator) · Book #3 in the Mercy Watson series

A pig named Mercy thwarts a thief's plans and leads a wild chase through the neighborhood

70 pages· 1,957 words· Est. 22 min read

7.0/7 Bookroo experts·4.2/5 Goodreads · 5,209 ratings

$15.99Save 6%

Summary: Leroy Ninker dreams of being a cowboy, but he's stuck as a thief. While robbing the Watsons' kitchen, he unwittingly awakens Mercy, a pig with a passion for buttery toast. Chaos ensues as Leroy's heist spirals into a comedic rodeo adventure, involving nosy neighbors, baffled firemen, and a puzzled policeman. Can Leroy's cowboy dreams survive this unexpected twist?

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 3–6 · 2019

Baby's First Bank Heist

By Jim Whalley, Stephen Collins (Illustrator)

A baby plans a bank heist to buy a pet. Chaos ensues.

32 pages· 622 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

6.5/7 Bookroo experts·3.7/5 Goodreads · 258 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Summary: Baby Frank is on a mission: rob a bank to afford a pet his parents refuse to buy. This adorable yet audacious plan leads to a hilarious adventure. Will Frank succeed in his fluffy quest, or will his criminal caper be foiled? Discover the mischief and mayhem as this pint-sized mastermind takes on the world of crime, proving that even the smallest among us can dream big.

Sale price

$1597

Chapter Book · Ages 8–11 · 2018

The Inventors at No. 8

By A. M. Morgen · Book #1 in the The Inventors at No. 8 series

A boy's luck changes when a girl and a flying machine lead him on a quest for a stolen treasure.

352 pages· 60,679 words· Est. 8.5 hour read

6.0/7 Bookroo experts·3.8/5 Goodreads · 265 ratings

$16.99Save 6%

Summary: George, the unluckiest boy in London, faces losing everything. When a priceless map is stolen, Ada Byron, a brilliant inventor, offers her help. Together, they embark on a daring aerial adventure with a mischievous orangutan and a pirate's son. Can they reclaim George's legacy and find Ada's father, or will the skies hold more secrets than they imagined?

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Thieves Picture Books

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

Sale price

$1999

The Detective Dog

Ages 3–6 · 2016

A dog detective sniffs out missing books. Can she solve the mystery?

Sale price

$699

April Fools' Fiasco

Ages 4–8 · 2017

A bookstore prank turns into a real robbery. Can the kids solve the mystery?

Sale price

$1899

What the Ladybug Heard

Ages 2–6 · 2009

A tiny ladybug thwarts a plan to steal the farm's prize cow.

Sale price

$1795

I Am a Thief!

Ages 4–8 · 2019

A young girl must face her guilt and make amends after taking a forbidden stone.

Sale price

$1899

Chickadee: Criminal Mastermind

Ages 4–7 · 2022

A masked bandit bird questions his criminal ways when humans welcome him.

Sale price

$1799

How to Catch a Clover Thief

Ages 4–7 · 2021

A wild boar's clover patch mysteriously shrinks. Can he outsmart the thief?

Sale price

$1995

Cranberry Halloween

Ages 4–8 · 1982

Can Mr. Whiskers protect the town's money from pirate thieves on Halloween night?

Sale price

$499

The Millionaire Mystery

Ages 4–8 · 2012

A pearl necklace vanishes at a charity event. Can Cam solve the mystery before the thief escapes?

Sale price

$1799

Feast of Peas

Ages 4–8 · 2020

Jiva's peas vanish mysteriously before harvest. Who's behind the garden heist?

Sale price

$1699

The First Case

Ages 5–11 · 2012

A toad detective must catch a nut thief in a snowy forest.

Sale price

$599

Emily the Emerald Fairy

Ages 4–8 · 2005

Seven stolen jewels threaten Fairyland's magic. Can they be found in time?

Sale price

$599

Scarlett the Garnet Fairy

Ages 4–8 · 2005

Seven jewels are missing, and Fairyland's magic is fading fast.

View all thieves picture books

Browse by age

Thieves Chapter Books & Middle Grade

Longer stories about thieves for developing and independent readers.

Sale price

$999

Children of the Fox

Ages 8–12 · 2021

Five young talents face a deadly heist against a powerful sorcerer. Success or betrayal awaits.

Sale price

$599

Secret of the Water Dragon

Ages 6–8 · 2015

A group of young dragon riders must work together to stop an evil wizard from stealing a powerful dragon stone

Sale price

$999

The Thief Lord

Ages 8–12 · 2000

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

Sale price

$799

The Map Trap

Ages 8–12 · 2014

A boy's secret maps are stolen, leading to unexpected challenges.

Sale price

$899

Prince Martin and the Thieves

Ages 7–10 · 2018

A boy prince and his dog face danger when captured by robbers. Can unexpected allies save them?

Sale price

$799

The Theft of the Samurai Sword: Japan

Ages 6–9 · 2009

A secret agent races to recover stolen treasures from ninja thieves.

Sale price

$799

Nickel Bay Nick

Ages 8–12 · 2013

A boy discovers a secret that could save his town, but first, he must become a spy.

Sale price

$1599

The King of Attolia

Ages 13–+ · 2006

A cunning thief navigates court intrigue and hidden dangers in a world of deception.

Sale price

$499

Strawberry Thief

Ages 6–9 · 2014

Who stole the strawberries? The Secret Mystery Club is on the case.

Sale price

$1799

Baseball Genius

Ages 9–12 · 2017

A kid's secret talent could save a baseball star's career and his own reputation.

Sale price

$699

The Bolds on Vacation

Ages 8–12 · 2020

A family of hyenas must rescue their missing member while keeping their human disguise intact.

Sale price

$599

Christmas in Cooperstown

Ages 6–9 · 2017

A fake baseball card threatens Christmas. Can two kids solve the mystery in time?

View all thieves chapter books

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Books about problem solving Books about stealing Books about baseball Books about Boston Books about helping others Books about lost and found possessions Books about new experiences Books about sleuthing

Our 10 Favorite Books About Thieves

Great books, picked for their age.

Thieves Picture Books

Thieves Chapter Books & Middle Grade

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