To Trap a Thief

I’m completely out of breath! Family tension, a lotto win, fraudsters, bike chases, explosions, a dramatic sea rescue, interactive game quests and a crazy road trip. Des Hunt’s latest book, To Trap a Thief, races along at a frenetic pace and there is plenty to capture interest and keep you reading.

Connor, the young protagonist from the small town of Bulls in the North Island of NZ, has a lot going on - his dad has died and his mum has a new boyfriend who she is planning to marry. The soon-to-be step-parents want to be part of Connor’s life too and they plan for him to join them on a road trip to the Marlborough Sounds/Tasman area so that they can get to know him better. It's all too much for Connor however, when his mate Harvey is given the thumbs up to go along too, everything changes and the pair see it as an adventure, becoming embroiled in a series of dangerous encounters and mysterious missions.

Connor and Harvey are believable characters with interests and problems that are relatable. They can be moody; fight and argue, worry and stress. But most of all they need each other and ultimately work as a team to solve their dilemmas.

To Trap a Thief would be a fun read for tweens 10-13 years.

Title: To Trap a Thief

Author: Des Hunt

Publisher: Scholastic

ISBN: 9781775435648

RRP: $17.99

Format: Paperback

Date of Publication: April 2019

Ages: 10 to 13 years

Reviewer’s name: Ali Kersten, Teacher Librarian

Reviewer’s school: Hereworth School, Hawkes Bay

How highly are you recommending this book? Recommended

What’s the book’s opening sentence? Connor Clarke heard the car pull into the driveway and looked to the window.

You can buy this book here