Peach’s Picks Rating
Title:
Thieves Till We Die
Author:
Stephen Cole
Illustrator:
None
ISBN:
978-1-59990-082-7
Publisher:
New York: Bloomsbury
Copyright:
2007
Length:
312 pages
Plot Summary:
The band of teen thieves with Indiana Jones-like powers are back in this sequel to Thieves Like Us. The reader is reunited with Jonah, an expert computer hacker and cipher decoder; the beautiful Tye who is a human lie detector and can drive any vehicle and fly planes better than a stunt driver; the stunning Con, a mesmerizer, who uses her beauty as well as her hypnotic talents; Motti, scruffy and surly, with a genius for understanding and dismantling security systems; and Patch, the gifted one-eyed locksmith. The shaddy Nathaniel Coldhardt, an international thief of ancient, high-end artifacts is at the helm as their employer and father figure. This time the teens are seeking the sword of Cortes'. It rumored to be the key to unlocking eternal life and god-like powers, located in an ancient hidden Aztec temple in the jungles of Mexico. The adult villains belong to a Sixth Sun, cult led by a power hungry maniac. Kidnapping, chase scenes and red herrings galore add to the adventure.
Critical Evaluation:
This book is a totally fun read that pretends to be nothing more than that. It is full of action, similar to a James Bond movie. It comes complete with Bond’s lavish lifestyle, strong, smart beautiful women, fast cars, fast planes, and intrigue. It is a mystery as well as an adventure, with nail-biting red herrings thrown in to take the reader off course. The chapters are short, full of action, and move quickly. During this adventure the band of five teen thieves are searching for ancient Aztec artifacts. This allows the author to pepper the story with information about Aztec culture. One assumes that references will lead readers to look up more information. During this adventure the reader learns more of Tye’s background. Both her character and Jonah’s are better developed than the Con, Motti, and Patch, but all characters are believable and likeable. Coldhardt continues to be is a caricature both in name and character development and is beginning to seem a bit crazed. This book it is confirms that is he is obsessed with artifacts that might offer the secret to life everlasting. The boys talk, tease and banter like real boys. The girls interact very little with each other. Other than that, the team sticks together as “family.” There is no deeper friendship is developed between Con and Tye. Besides the mystery/adventure story, the book further develops the relationship between Jonah and Tye. Again, as in the first book, American readers may find it slightly difficult to understand some of the slang used by the British author. This does not cause any difficulties while enjoying the story and understanding the text. Also, depending on the issue, the cover seems out-dated and uninviting. It is a photoshopped drawing of an ancient Aztec pyramid in the foreground with the head shots of the five teens surrounding it. Unattractive covers make it difficult to promote a good book.
Reader’s Annotation:
Jonah, Tye, Mottie, Con, and Patch are off on another adventure full of intrigue and mystery. This time Coldhardt sends them to navigate the dangerous jungles of Mexico and battle with crazed cult members.
Author Information:
Born in 1971and lives in Buckinghamshire, England with his family
Worked for BBC
Also writes under the name Steve Cole
(little information located)
Genre:
Adventure
Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes
Booktalking Ideas:
Five teen thieves, each with special talents, set off on a life-threatening adventure in the jungles of Mexico.
This book is a combines the action and excitement of James Bond and Indiana Jones movies with teens as the main characters fighting power hunger villains bend on controlling the world.
Reading Level/Interest Age:
Grades 8-11
Additional Books by Author:
Thieves Like Us (first in series)
Dr. Who series
Astrosaurs series (uses the name Steve Cole)
Cows in Action series (uses the name Steve Cole)
Challenge Issues:
Language, sexual overtones, teen use of alcohol
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.
Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
The book received a positive reviews in School Library Journal and Booklist. Four peaches are awarded because the book could be a little shorter and the story a little tighter, other than that the book would receive five peaches for its rollicking adventure story.
Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Thieves-Till-Die-Stephen-Cole/dp/1599900823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273323661&sr=1-1
References:
Cole, S. (2010). “About Steve.” Steve Cole. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www.stevecolebooks.co.uk/steves-space/about-steve/
Thieves Till We Die
Author:
Stephen Cole
Illustrator:
None
ISBN:
978-1-59990-082-7
Publisher:
New York: Bloomsbury
Copyright:
2007
Length:
312 pages
Plot Summary:
The band of teen thieves with Indiana Jones-like powers are back in this sequel to Thieves Like Us. The reader is reunited with Jonah, an expert computer hacker and cipher decoder; the beautiful Tye who is a human lie detector and can drive any vehicle and fly planes better than a stunt driver; the stunning Con, a mesmerizer, who uses her beauty as well as her hypnotic talents; Motti, scruffy and surly, with a genius for understanding and dismantling security systems; and Patch, the gifted one-eyed locksmith. The shaddy Nathaniel Coldhardt, an international thief of ancient, high-end artifacts is at the helm as their employer and father figure. This time the teens are seeking the sword of Cortes'. It rumored to be the key to unlocking eternal life and god-like powers, located in an ancient hidden Aztec temple in the jungles of Mexico. The adult villains belong to a Sixth Sun, cult led by a power hungry maniac. Kidnapping, chase scenes and red herrings galore add to the adventure.
Critical Evaluation:
This book is a totally fun read that pretends to be nothing more than that. It is full of action, similar to a James Bond movie. It comes complete with Bond’s lavish lifestyle, strong, smart beautiful women, fast cars, fast planes, and intrigue. It is a mystery as well as an adventure, with nail-biting red herrings thrown in to take the reader off course. The chapters are short, full of action, and move quickly. During this adventure the band of five teen thieves are searching for ancient Aztec artifacts. This allows the author to pepper the story with information about Aztec culture. One assumes that references will lead readers to look up more information. During this adventure the reader learns more of Tye’s background. Both her character and Jonah’s are better developed than the Con, Motti, and Patch, but all characters are believable and likeable. Coldhardt continues to be is a caricature both in name and character development and is beginning to seem a bit crazed. This book it is confirms that is he is obsessed with artifacts that might offer the secret to life everlasting. The boys talk, tease and banter like real boys. The girls interact very little with each other. Other than that, the team sticks together as “family.” There is no deeper friendship is developed between Con and Tye. Besides the mystery/adventure story, the book further develops the relationship between Jonah and Tye. Again, as in the first book, American readers may find it slightly difficult to understand some of the slang used by the British author. This does not cause any difficulties while enjoying the story and understanding the text. Also, depending on the issue, the cover seems out-dated and uninviting. It is a photoshopped drawing of an ancient Aztec pyramid in the foreground with the head shots of the five teens surrounding it. Unattractive covers make it difficult to promote a good book.
Reader’s Annotation:
Jonah, Tye, Mottie, Con, and Patch are off on another adventure full of intrigue and mystery. This time Coldhardt sends them to navigate the dangerous jungles of Mexico and battle with crazed cult members.
Author Information:
Born in 1971and lives in Buckinghamshire, England with his family
Worked for BBC
Also writes under the name Steve Cole
(little information located)
Genre:
Adventure
Curriculum Ties:
Use in literature classes
Booktalking Ideas:
Five teen thieves, each with special talents, set off on a life-threatening adventure in the jungles of Mexico.
This book is a combines the action and excitement of James Bond and Indiana Jones movies with teens as the main characters fighting power hunger villains bend on controlling the world.
Reading Level/Interest Age:
Grades 8-11
Additional Books by Author:
Thieves Like Us (first in series)
Dr. Who series
Astrosaurs series (uses the name Steve Cole)
Cows in Action series (uses the name Steve Cole)
Challenge Issues:
Language, sexual overtones, teen use of alcohol
Deal with challenge by having a challenge policy in place, selection policy in place (ALA policies). Meet with library administration if necessary. Provide positive review(s) from professional publications.
Why this work is included in Peach’s Picks:
The book received a positive reviews in School Library Journal and Booklist. Four peaches are awarded because the book could be a little shorter and the story a little tighter, other than that the book would receive five peaches for its rollicking adventure story.
Amazon link:
http://www.amazon.com/Thieves-Till-Die-Stephen-Cole/dp/1599900823/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273323661&sr=1-1
References:
Cole, S. (2010). “About Steve.” Steve Cole. Retrieved April 30, 2010, from http://www.stevecolebooks.co.uk/steves-space/about-steve/
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