Book Review of The Patron Thief of Bread
The Children’s Book Review
The Patron Thief of Bread
Written by Lindsay Eagar
Ages 10-14 | 448 Pages
Publisher: Candlewick | ISBN-13: 978-1536204681
What to Expect: Poverty, Family, Friendship, Loyalty.
Duck isn’t what you’d expect from a thief. Fished from the river by street children when she was just a baby, she’s quiet, shy, nervous, and conscientious, conscious of her position as the youngest thief in the street-urchin gang known as the Crowns. However, these qualities make her perfect for the Crowns’ latest plan: to infiltrate the home of the blind town Baker and ensure a steady supply of lifted bread and coins. It’s the perfect plan, except that Duck struggles to remember where she belongs. Is she the baker’s keen apprentice or a Crown in disguise?
As Duck grows ever fonder of the baker, returning to the Crowns becomes harder and harder. Meanwhile, unseen and unnoticed, something is growing weary of only watching from the sidelines and yearning to take part in Duck’s story.
In a gritty imagined world that eerily parallels our own, Duck’s story invites readers to think through some of the most familiar challenges of childhood: friendship allegiances, personal identity, and duty to others. These are not easy themes, but the gripping narrative weaves them seamlessly into a broader timely critique of poverty and social justice. Duck is a relatable and believable character, both vulnerable and strong at the same time, and readers will enjoy watching her grow as the story progresses.
The Patron Thief of Bread is an original and thought-provoking read.
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About the Author
Lindsay Eagar is the author of the middle-grade novels Hour of the Bees, which was an International Latino Book Award winner and was short-listed for the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and Race to the Bottom of the Sea. She lives in the mountains of Utah with her husband and two daughters.
The Patron Theif of Bread by Lindsay Eagar was reviewed by Dr. Jen Harrison. Discover more books like The Patron Theif of Bread by following along with our reviews and articles tagged with poverty, family, friendship, and loyalty.
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