Plague Thieves
by Caroline Fernandez
ISBN: 9781770867321
Format: Trade Paperback
Size: 5.375" x 8"
Subjects:
-
​JUV016040 JUVENILE FICTION / Historical / Europe
-
JUV001000 JUVENILE FICTION / Action & Adventure / General
-
JUV013050 JUVENILE FICTION / Family / Orphans & Foster Homes
Price: $14.95
Ages: 9 to 12
Publication Date: May 25, 2024
​
Synopsis:
​
“Steal. Trade. Survive.”
That's what Father tells Rose and Lem moments before he dies of the Great Plague.
Orphaned and homeless in London 1665, all Rose and Lem have left are their wits, each other, and three bottles of Thieves Oil — a medicinal blend Father created that can protect people from the sickness.
But then Lem goes missing, and Rose is left to fend for herself. As words of Thieves Oil spread to London’s most desperate scavengers, Rose must band together with her fellow street orphans, steal the essentials to survive, and protect herself and her newfound friends against both the Plague and a world filled with dangers.
Reviews
​
“Transporting readers into the seventeenth century without romanticizing the characters or the setting, this tightly written, third-person narrative will surely leave readers wondering whether they could have survived. An absorbing historical novel.”
— Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
​
“Plague Thieves is a captivating read that is historically accurate while capturing the humanity of ordinary people caught up in a situation much larger than themselves. History truly comes alive!! Highly Recommended.”
— Aileen Wortley, Canadian Review of Materials
​
“I was fully immersed in this Plague story and loved following the character of Rose. Caroline Fernandez wrote a strong and very real character that leaves readers wondering if they could do the same a Rose in a similar situation and perhaps reflecting on their own experiences during the COVID 19 pandemic.”
— Stephanie Lamb, Storytime with Stephanie
​​
“With Plague Thieves, Caroline Fernandez has given us a spell-binding read that captivates but also enlightens about a time in which bleakness was almost inescapable.”
— Helen Kubiw, CanLit for Little Canadians
​
“Readers ages 9-13 will enjoy this story and its theme of cobbling together your own family in the face of disaster, and will come away with a stronger sense of how it was to live in those times.”
— Lisa Lowe Stauffer, Historical Novels Review
​​​
“Plague Thieves offers historical context for middle-grade readers’ recent pandemic experiences, chronicling how extraordinary times can require extraordinary acts of daring, courage, love, and forgiveness … Caroline Fernandez’s appealing and well-researched characters navigate great loss and upheaval to an emotionally satisfying conclusion. An honest, compelling exploration of resilience, community, and hope during challenging circumstances.”
— Karen Krossing, Canadian Children’s Book News
​​
“I’m in the middle of reading this and am totally hooked on this survival-adventure story during the time of the plague. I also can’t help but think that this would be a great book to help young readers put our post-pandemic world in context. I’m really seeing 12-year-old Rose’s character develop as she learns how to fend for herself and protect those she cares about.”
— Debbie Ridpath Ohi, 49th Shelf
​
“It’s a harrowing time of hunger, suspicion, survival, and death, but the engaging story is written in an age-appropriate way. I highly recommend it for 9 to 12 year olds.”
— @imaginationsoup, Instagram
​
“[Plague Thieves] drops the reader into 1665 London during the Great Plague. This is a thrilling and historical read; fast paced with realistic characters. Engaging read!”
— Loretta Garbutt, Instagram
“This book doesn’t steer away from the cruel hardships of the Plague. Hunger, lack of shelter, and death might make this a challenging read for some, but it’s also what make it a compelling book.”
— Lee Fodi, Instagram