A Literary Leaf for The Good Thieves

Overview and Outcomes:

This is a 15-session Literary Leaf for The Good Thieves by Katherine Rundell. This Literary Leaf covers all aspects of the Key Stage 2 content domain and begins with children exploring the 1920s in New York City - the time and place this book is set. They will develop their understanding of the period and explore the issues of the day as well as any relevant vocabulary. Children will gain experience of answering a range of inference questions, focussing on impressions, character’s feelings, relationships and motivation.  They will also explore how protagonists change over time by mapping out character arcs.

Synopsis of Text:

Fresh off the boat from England, Vita Marlowe has a job to do. Her beloved grandfather Jack has been cheated out of his home and possessions by a notorious conman with Mafia connections. Seeing Jack's spirit is broken, Vita is desperate to make him happy again, so she devises a plan to outwit his enemies and recover his home.

She finds a young pickpocket, working the streets of the city. And, nearby, two boys with highly unusual skills and secrets of their own are about to be pulled into her lawless, death-defying plan.

Katherine Rundell's fifth novel is a heist as never seen before - the story of a group of children who will do anything to right a wrong.

Links to Curriculum areas, other Literary Leaves and Planning Sequences:

This text is perfect for linking to study based on north America, especially 1920s prohibition era New York.