The Thief

Turner, Megan Whalen. The Thief. Greenwillow Books, 1996. ISBN0-688-14627-9

Plot
Gen boasted that he is the best thief in the world. In fact, it was when he was bragging that he stole the king's seal did he find himself in jail. Once imprisoned he still claimed that the jail could not hold him, but it has held him for a long, long time. Gen then finds himself with another way out, Magnus, the King's scholar is sent out on a mission to retrieve a treasure talked about in myths. Gen has a deal to help Magnus find the treasure or stay rotting in jail. Except, the problem is no one really knows where the treasure is, if anyone has ever seen it, or if it even exists.

Critical Evaluation
This is an older book that deserves more attention from readers than it has received. Turner does a wonderful job creating another world set with its own myths and legends. Readers will enjoy the clear narrative and the very surprising twists that force the reader to look back and rethink the whole plot.

Reader's Annotation
Gen is a master thief that has lost track of how long he has been in jail. It is because the King's Adviser Magnus is seeking a lost treasure is Gen released in order to help him find it. Will these men find what they seek or is it all just a myth?

About the Author
Megan Whalen Turner graduated from the University of Chicago with a BA in English Language and Literature with honors in 1987. She then worked as a bookseller for seven to eight years before writing her first book. She has written a book collection of short stories and three other books in The Thief series.

Turner is married to a Professor of Cognitive Science. They currently reside in Southern California but move around a lot due to his research.

Genre
Fiction

Curriculum Ties
Fantasy
Loyalty
Identity

Book Talking Ideas
How would you describe Magnus when you first met him in the book vs. how he changes in the story later on?
Do you think that myths include a bit of truth in them?
What do you think of "identity" in terms of the characters in this book?

Reading Level/Interest Age
12 and up

Challenge Issues
None

Why Included in Selection
This book came recommended by a friend and was described to have excellent story-telling.