Pilfer Academy

November 23, 2015
George’s mother has nicknamed him “Naughty George” for his habit of stealing from his siblings and causing chaos at home. These same skills have caught the attention of the secret Pilfer Academy of Filching Arts, which enrolls students by kidnapping them and whisking them off to a castle—a stolen one, naturally—full of ill-gotten artifacts like Michelangelo’s David (the one in Italy is an imitation, readers learn). At Pilfer, students train to become top-notch crooks, and while George, who is snatched as the book begins, gets a nasty new roommate, he also finds a best friend in a talented girl named Tabitha. Magaziner (The Only Thing Worse Than Witches) establishes an anything-can-happen atmosphere from the start (one of George’s abductors speaks only in malapropisms, while the other tries to locate the North Star by staring at the sun through binoculars), and the goofiness, pranks, and student sabotage don’t let up from there. As George decides whether he truly aspires to a life of crime, Magaziner delivers an entirely enjoyable twist on a classic boarding school adventure. Ages 8–12. Agent: Brianne Johnson, Writers House.

November 15, 2015
Hogwarts is a school for wizards. Pilfer Academy is a school for thieves. As one of six children, "Naughty George" is well-practiced at lifting things that are not his. His sister's diary, his brother's comic books, and anyone's dollar bills attract his sticky fingers. But when George himself is kidnapped by Pilfer Academy, a whole new world of thievery begins. As the newest student of this secret school, George becomes the star pupil of an academy that trains crooks and criminals. Taught by completely absurd teachers and surrounded by sneaky and amoral classmates, George must find his way through Stealth 101, Practical Applications of Breaking and Entering, and Intro to Gadgetry. Does he have what it takes to stay at the top of his class? Following The Only Thing Worse than Witches (2014), Magaziner creates another weird and silly world that mirrors Hogwarts without the magic. The allure of bad behavior permeates the story, like the midnight theft of the teacher's stash of Triple-dipple Ultra-deluxe Melty Creamy Creamer Rainbow Swizzle Milk Munch ice cream. Although the story's obvious contrast between friend and foe steers the audience to younger middle graders, the universal struggle to learn to trust a new friend will appeal to many. The midterm exam becomes the true test of George's success. Is he just too nice to be a thief? A fun fantasy romp. (Fantasy. 8-12)

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December 1, 2015

Gr 5-7-George has five siblings, and he seems to be the one who is always in trouble. His life is totally turned upside down the day he gets kidnapped. His kidnappers, Strongarm and Ballyrag, take him off to a school called Pilfer Academy, where the students are taught the fine art of thievery. George becomes a model student and begins to make friends, but after the midterm exams, he realizes that stealing things makes him feel awful. In an attempt to get expelled, he is sent to the dreaded whirlyblerg. Lucky for him, he gets a second chance to redeem himself, and instead of becoming a thief, he plans and plots a way to escape so he can return home to his family. This middle grade novel offers some humor as Ballyrag spouts one malapropism after another. The descriptions of the lavishness of the school and the bounty of the food in the cafeteria are highly entertaining. Yet the story does not ring true, especially at the end with the speed of George's great escape. VERDICT Pass on this title, and instead hand middle grade readers a wickedly clever mystery by Lemony Snicket or Pseudonymous Bosch.-Elizabeth Kahn, Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy, Avondale, LA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2016
Grades 3-6 George knows he is the family's naughty kid, but he never considered himself a budding criminal. Unfortunately, the teachers at Pilfer Academy, a boarding school for thieves-in-training, do see thieving potential in him, and, in a single afternoon, he goes from troublemaker to a member of the next generation of crooks. Now the question is, will he fight his way home, or to the top of the class? A charming take on the traditional boarding school story, this is on the surface a light read full of eventually grating puns and wordplay (with teachers boasting names like Strongarm and Pickapocket). But its larger themes, such as deciding who you want to be beyond the perceptions of others, will keep readers invested. The historical allusions sprinkled throughout are a nice touch, and George's voice is humorous and engaging. This is an ideal choice for readers who wish boarding school books had a little more mischief.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)