Rating: 
Summary: The Thief Lord is an awesome book!
Review: The Thief Lord takes place in Venice, Italy. Prosper and Bo went to Italy because they always heard their mother talk fondly of it. Their aunt wants Bo, so she comes to Italy looking for him. She hires a detective named Victor Getz. He is hired to find Bo and tell Esther, their aunt, where he is. Victor finds Bo but doesn't tell Bo's aunt where he is.
While Victor was trying to find Bo, Prosper and Bo found Hornet, Riccio, Mosca, and the Thief Lord (Scipio). They all live in a run-down movie theater together. They pit pocket and steal from other people to get money. The Thief Lord brings them back things to trade a lot. One time they had to steal from a very big palace, and they almost got caught. They soon get a big deal from a very wealthy person. The Thief Lord is hired to steal a wooden wing for him. While they are trying to steal the item, a lot of secrets are found out. They find out secrets about the Thief Lord that are going to be hard to get over. One of the secrets drives the Thief Lord to do something very drastic.
The Thief Lord tried to steal the item with his friends, but they got caught. The Thief Lord and Prosper explain the situation to the person that they are trying to steal the wing from and she agrees to give it over. She just asks for one thing in return. She wants to go with them when they give it to the person they are stealing it for. They make up a plan to follow the person to see what the wing is for. They know it has to do with a magical merry-go-round, but they don't think that person has it. When they hand it over they get their money and then follow them. They are led to a haunted island and are very scared. They decide not to go any further. They return back to where they were staying.
Scipio and Prosper decide to go back to the island. Scipio gets Prosper late one night and they go back to the island. They are met with two huge dogs and two little kids. They also find the merry-go-round. They were right. Then the Thief Lord does something drastic. I should just let you read the book to find out.
I recommend this book to kids in fifth grade and higher. I would recommend it to both girls and boys. Someone that likes to read Harry Potter books would like to read this book. It is full of adventure and excitement; you won't be able to set it down until you are finished.
Rating: 
Summary: A pleasant adventure, but lacking depth
Review: "The Thief Lord" was originally published in German in 2000 by Cecilie Dressler Verlag and this translation is by Cornelia Funke.
The basic premise has two orphans, 12-year old Prosper and his 5-year old brother, Bo, escaping their cold-hearted Aunt Esther. They flee to Venice, a city their mother loved and described to them in great detail. There they meet up with other young urchins, Hornet, a girl with a long braid who loves books, Mosca, a boy who likes boats and Riccio, a pickpocket with crooked teeth. They all live in an abandoned movie theatre and receive assistance from the mysterious Scipio, who steals from the wealthy homes of Venice.
Other characters include Victor Getz, a bumbling detective who the author describes as "looking like Bob Hoskins", Ida Spavenko, a kind-hearted woman photographer, and Barbarossa, a swindling antique shop owner.
The plot has the children eluding then befriending Victor, along with Scipio's quest for the big take, then a mysterious caper that propels the characters on a quest to a secret island in search of a magical merry-go-round.
The writing is simple and well-paced, probably best for kids ten to eleven, with plenty of action and comedy. While not being entirely original, the book suffers from some of its surprises easily guess far ahead of time. The characters are not given a lot of depth, although I liked Prosper and Scipio, I would have liked to have learned more about them. Much of Scipio's background remained unclear, as well as his motives for helping the other children and his eventual transformation.Prosper changes by not changing, and becomes the anchor of the story, the conscience and most sympathetic character. He faces many choices, makes some mistakes, but comes out ahead by his own intelligence, the help of his friends, and a little luck. One point that makes this story rise above other books is the author's attention to the details of Venice. While not overwhelming young readers, there is enough to provide a clear picture of the city's canals, old building and many bridges. Still, one cannot help but think that this is a movie treatment that will find it's way to the theatres eventually.
Rating: 
Summary: An ending out of the blue
Review: After the death of their mother, Prosper and his younger brother Bo, are set to be separated. Their aunt Esther only wants to adopt five-year-old Bo and send twelve-year-old Prosper to some far away boarding school where he would probably only get to see Bo once a year. Not wanting to separate the two boys escape to Venice, a city their mother told them had magical lions and great canals. At first life in Venice is hard, but after they meet a young girl named Hornet who introduces them to an orphange life gets much better. However Prosper feels uneasy since the orphange is funded by Scripio, known as The Thief Lord. Meanwhile, Aunt Esther has not given up on finding the two boys, as she has now hired the city's top detective Victor Getz to track them down. After a series of events, Victor discovers their hiding place and many more surprising turns finally bring to light the true identity of The Thief Lord. The Thief Lord is definitely a very enjoyable read. Unfornately a book that was suppose to be realistic was made into a part fantasy ending which didn't fit the book at all. Nothing in the whole booked suggested fantasy as being part of the book and the ending came totally out of the blue. If you get past the ending though you'll definitely enjoy this book that has is like a 21st century Dicken's novel.
Rating:
Summary: Touching
Review: Cornelia Funke is my fave. author behind JK Rowling. I love this story so much. Prosper and Bo's mother died and their evil aunt, Esther, wants to adopt Bo and send Prosper to a boarding school. Growing up, their mother always told them great stories about Venice so Prosper and Bo go to Venice. They meet a gang of orphans who were lead by a 12 year old boy who calls himself "The Theif Lord".
I'm going to shut up before I spoil the story. This is a great book, READ IT.
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Summary: It Takes You to Another World!!!!!
Review: I normally dont like to read and i absolutely loved this book!!!I read it and got the cassette tapes for it. Whenever i read it i got taken away to another world and i just couldnt stop reading. If your one of those people who likes to sit under a blanket in a cozy corner of the house and drink hot cocoa...this would be the perfect book for you. Its cozy and exciting and fit for all ages!! READ THIS BOOK
Rating:
Summary: it's good!
Review: The Theif Lord by Cornelia Funke is a must read for everyone. Anyone from any age would enjoy this book. I have read many other books like it, but this one is truly the best. The story starts with Prosper and Bo trying to escape from their Aunt's clutches. Their Aunt thinks Bo is adorable and wants to adopt him but she wants to send Prosper away to a boarding school. The two kids meet a gand with the leader calling himself "The Thief Lord". They join the gang to try to get away from their aunt. The aunt hires a man to try to track down the children and the children have to dodge yet another person to stay safe. The Theif Lord brings home jewels and expensive things to sell and he gives the money to the children and the others. But is The Theif Lord really who he says he is or is he an imposter. If you want to know, READ THE BOOK YOURSELF!
I would recommmend this book to anyone who wants a good book just to enjoy. I loved it and if you like adventure and fiction, this book is definately for you. I urge you to go to the bookstore right now and pick it up.
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Summary: A Magical Journey
Review: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke is a magical adventure that readers will find almost impossible to put down. This is a spectacular story about a band of street children, a magical carousel and a snoopy detective. It all combines into an enjoyable treat of a book. After escaping from their cruel aunt in Hamburg, Prosper and Bo flee to Venice after hearing their mother's stories of its winged lions, the golden cathedral, and about angel and dragons perched on the rooftops of buildings. When they reach Venice, they meet a mysterious boy who calls himself the The Thief Lord. He leads a band of street kids who make their living by having him steal thing for them. Meanwhile, Prosper and Bo's nasty aunt Ester, has hired a very snoopy but kind detective to look for Prosper and Bo. The plot only gets thicker when a very weathy client asks Scipio, "The Theif Lord" to steal a wooden wing that is the key to a very old, very special, Merry- Go- Round. But Scipio also has a very dark secret that will change Prosper and Bo's life forever. They soon find themselves in an unforgettable adventure in the city of Venice. Although I loved this book, I think there was a bit too much going on at once. But still, I highly recommend this book to anyone who might be intrested in reading it. I think Funke did an excellent job writing it, and I look forward to reading Inkheart. I recommend this book to kids ages 9-12.
-Lauren Henderson
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Summary: An Enchanting Tale
Review: The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke The Thief Lord is a mystifying tale of five orphans and runaways on a quest for freedom and independence in Venice, Italy. They are led by a thirteen year old boy who calls himself the Thief Lord.However, the Thief Lord has amazing secrets of his own that are accidentally revealed to the other children because of a few interesting characters. Despite the essential involvement of these characters however, this is mainly Prosper's story. Prosper seeks to survive successfully with his little brother Bo in Venice, away from Aunt Esther, who looks to have the boys returned to her rightful ownership. The plot only thickens when The Merry-Go-Round of the Merciful Sisters is introduced to the already good story. Written in third person and past tense I always felt that I knew what was going on. Cornelia Funke provides rich descriptions that make you feel what she is saying. I liked this book because what was going to happen next was never predictable. She springs upon you numerous amount of shock and surprise throughout this magical tale. Anna
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Summary: The Thief Lord
Review: The Thief Lord, by Cornelia Funke , was probably the best book I ever read.
The setting of modern day Venice played a big part in the story with crazy canal boat rides and tales of its beautiful artwork and sculptures.
The book starts off with a detective named Victor who has a new assignment; two brothers named Prosper and Bo who were orphaned when their mother died. Then they ran away from their aunt who was supposed to be adopting Bo and sending Prosper to boarding school. There aunt and uncle believe that they are somewhere in Venice. Victor's assignment is to track them down.
Meanwhile in an old Venice movie theatre six orphaned children camp out, Bo and Prosper among them. The other four include a boy with hair like a hedgehog named Riccio, a dark skinned boy named Mosca, a girl named Hornet and the leader of the group Scippio called The Thief Lord. Together they live in the old movie theatre, The Thief Lord stealing jewelry and other things for them to sell.
All's well until the children meet up with Victor and learn a secret behind Scippio that will change their and his future forever.
The plot in this story is a great one with twists and turns along the way. Especially when they come across the mystery of the Merry Go Round of the merciful sisters and effect's them all.
The story has soft parts, thrill rides and mysteries.
Funke really knows about children and how they act. She really makes you feel for the characters and understand their thoughts. The ending was both satisfying and disappointing. I would recommend this to ages nine and up. It might be a little hard for younger children. But anyone else I hope will love it as much as I.
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Summary: Theives That Produce Smiles
Review: The Thief Lord, originally written by Cornelia Funke in German, poses an interesting question: Is writing or plot more effective for children's stories? If you answered the former, Thief Lord isn't for you; the language is often simple and some wordings are very obviously translated. The reason so many children (and pre-teens) have been drawn to the book is its fairy tale like plot. The Thief Lord focuses on the story of two children, Bo and Prosper, who have ran away from their Aunt and Uncle to Venice, a city their deceased mother used to tell stories about. The boys choose to run away because Aunt Esther and her husband want to adopt Bo, but not Prosper. Once in Venice, the boys meet up with a group of runaway children who live in a movie theater and are taken care of by a thief the same age of the rest of them who calls himself 'The Thief Lord'. Unfortunately, Esther has contacted a detective named Victor Getz, who agrees to search for the children, with silly and often laughable results. The plot takes a sudden twist when a magical and mysterious merry-go-round and a Conte looking for the missing piece enter the picture. The ending, while not particularly surprising, is quite enjoyable none the less. Although The Thief Lord is not Newberry material, the characters are likable and the plot exciting, making it a sure fire hit with younger Harry Potter fans. The writing, the weakest point of the book, can easily be looked over.
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