Pilfer Academy

Fans of Spy School, Escape From Mr. Lemencello’s Library and Roald Dahl will gobble up this hilarious story about a secret boarding school for thieves-in-training! Troublemaking George has never heard of Pilfer Academy, a top-secret school for cultivating young crooks, until he's kidnapped as its newest student. The teachers are kooky at best, and naughty does not even begin to describe his sneaky, smart, and morally bankrupt new classmates. Between disguise classes, cracking safes, and DIY gadgets, George becomes an expert bandit and finds true friendship with Tabitha, his new partner-in-crime. But everything is ruined when George comes to a shocking realization: He is just too good-hearted to be a thief! Unfortunately, not thieving is not an option at Pilfer Academy, and "misbehaving" students face Dean Deanbugle's favorite punishment—the Whirlyblerg! In order to gain their freedom, George and Tabitha must pull the biggest heist the school has ever seen and reveal their true colors not as thieves, but as kind (and, okay, mischievous) kids.

Troublemaking George has never heard of Pilfer Academy, a top-secret school for cultivating young crooks, until he's kidnapped as its newest student. The teachers are kooky at best, and naughty does not even begin to describe his sneaky, smart, and morally bankrupt new classmates. Between disguise classes, cracking safes, and DIY gadgets, George becomes an expert bandit and finds true friendship with Tabitha, his new partner-in-crime. But everything is ruined when George comes to a shocking realization- He is just toogood-heartedto be a thief! Unfortunately, not thieving is not an option at Pilfer Academy, and 'misbehaving' students face Dean Deanbugle's favorite punishment-the Whirlyblerg! In order to gain their freedom, George and Tabitha must pull the biggest heist the school has ever seen and reveal their true colors not as thieves, but as kind (and, okay, mischievous) kids. Praise forPilfer Academy- 'Magaziner creates another weird and silly world that mirrors Hogwarts without the magic . . . A fun fantasy romp.'Kirkus Reviews Praise forThe Only Thing Worse Than Witches- 'CombinesRoald Dahl's WitchesandLouis Sachar's Wayside School . . .readers will banish themselves from the ordinary world to finish this book in a flash.'Kirkus Reviews, starred review 'A rollicking tale . . . first-time novelist Lauren Magaziner fashions a rich and compelling alternative reality.'The Chicago Tribune 'Magaziner's debut has echoes ofDahl's Matilda . . .a fun, frothy story that will, well, charm its readers.'Publishers Weekly 'Mrs. Frabbleknacker is as awful as her name, with antics reminiscent of scenes fromLouis Sachar's Sideways Stories from Wayside Schoolgone wrong.'School Library Journal 'Ideal for middle-grade readers who loveRoald Dahl's Matilda(1988) and enjoy humor with their fantasy, this debut novel is madcap and fantastical. It's the perfect thing for kids not quite ready forDiane DuaneorMadeleine L'Engle.'Booklist 'The kids' slowly forming friendship has real grace and authenticity . . .Eva Ibbotsonfans will appreciate the quirky humor.'BCCB 'This hilarious, light-hearted debut would be a great read-aloud for middle grade classrooms.'Library Media Connection