What This Book Is About
New York City, 1920s. Vita Marlowe has just sailed across the Atlantic from England with her mother, full of excitement about seeing her grandfather again. But when they arrive, they discover something terrible: a ruthless conman named Victor Sorrotore has swindled her grandfather out of his beloved Hudson Castle and everything inside it—including a priceless collection of treasures.
Vita is not the type to accept injustice quietly. She assembles an unlikely crew of gifted street kids: Samuel, who can pick any lock; Silk, a girl who can communicate with animals; and a towering boy known only as the Giant. Together, this ragtag band of "good thieves" plans an audacious heist to steal back what was stolen—navigating speakeasies, rooftop chases, and the dangerous underbelly of Prohibition-era Manhattan.
Katherine Rundell is one of Britain's most celebrated children's authors, known for prose that is both precise and exhilarating. This book crackles with energy, wit, and a deep sense of justice that makes readers want to cheer.
Available at Popular bookstores, Kinokuniya, and the Singapore National Library.
Why We Recommend This Book
For B1 readers ready for a step up, this book delivers on three fronts.
First, Katherine Rundell's prose is a masterclass in precise, vivid English. At Lexile 810L—the upper end of comfortable B1 territory—it introduces sophisticated vocabulary and sentence structures in a way that feels natural rather than forced. Students who found City of Ghosts (730L) easy will find this the perfect next challenge.
Second, the 1920s New York setting provides rich historical context. Prohibition, immigration, the Roaring Twenties—these are topics that appear in international school history and social studies curricula. The book brings this era to life in a way no textbook can.
Third, the central theme—a diverse team where each person's unique talent is essential to success—resonates powerfully with international school values of collaboration, diversity, and individual contribution. It is the kind of book that sparks great classroom discussions about justice, loyalty, and what it means to fight for what is right.
Reading Level Guide
May be challenging at A2. Build confidence with easier books first.
Perfect difficulty. Challenging enough to grow, accessible enough to enjoy.
A comfortable read at B2. Consider more challenging titles.
Other UWC Recommended Books for This Grade
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