When Oscar and I choose a new book to read together, we're always looking for something that will keep both of us interested. That's not always easy when you're trying to find a story that appeals to both an adult and an 11-year-old.

Crookhaven: The School for Thieves managed exactly that.

Without giving away too much of the storyline, the book follows Gabriel, a boy who finds himself recruited to a very unusual school. From there, readers are introduced to a fascinating cast of characters, mysteries to unravel and a world that feels both believable and completely fictional at the same time.

What We Loved About Crookhaven

One of the things that immediately stood out to me was how different the story felt from anything else we've read recently.

There are definite echoes of the classic "secret school" stories that children love, and I can see why some readers compare it to Harry Potter. However, it never felt like an imitation. Instead, it takes familiar themes and gives them a completely fresh twist.

I particularly enjoyed watching the friendships develop throughout the book. Many of the children arrive carrying their own struggles and insecurities. They aren't characters who instantly become best friends. Instead, trust builds slowly as they learn to rely on one another, and those relationships ended up being one of my favourite parts of the story.

The book also has a reassuring quality that I think many children will connect with. There is something appealing about reading about young people who haven't quite found where they belong and then discovering a place where their differences become strengths.

A Great Read-Aloud Book

Some children's books work best when children read them independently, while others are brilliant for sharing together.

Crookhaven sits comfortably in both categories.

Oscar and I really enjoyed reading it together, and it sparked plenty of conversations along the way. At the same time, I can easily imagine confident readers enjoying it independently.

Towards the end, we definitely had several "just one more chapter" moments. The book doesn't rely on huge cliffhangers or shocking twists every few pages. Instead, it creates a steady sense of curiosity that keeps you wanting to know what happens next.

Oscar's Thoughts

⭐ Rating: 4.5/5

"I never got bored while reading it."

Oscar's favourite character was Ade, one of a pair of twins.

"He was really smart with technology but didn't have much common sense, which made him funny."

When asked what he enjoyed most about the book, Oscar said:

"The sense of reality merging with fiction."

He also said he would definitely recommend the book to friends and felt it would particularly suit readers aged around 9–14 years old.

Is It Worth Reading the Next Book?

Absolutely.

In fact, we bought the second book when we were only a few chapters away from finishing the first one.

For me, this first book felt very much like the beginning of a larger journey. A lot of time is spent introducing Gabriel, exploring his background and helping readers get to know Crookhaven itself.

Rather than feeling unfinished, it felt like a strong foundation for what could become a really enjoyable series.

Is Crookhaven on Accelerated Reader?

Yes.

This was a big bonus for Oscar because his school uses Accelerated Reader and he enjoys working towards his reading targets.

After finishing the book, he was able to quiz on it and earn approximately 10 Accelerated Reader points.

If your child is motivated by AR points, Crookhaven is definitely worth considering.

Quick Facts

Age Recommendation: 9–14 years

Genre: Mystery, Adventure, Fantasy

Series: Yes

Read Aloud Friendly: Yes

Accelerated Reader: Yes

AR Points: Approximately 10

Oscar's Rating: 4.5/5

Would We Read The Next Book? Yes – we already bought it.

Final Verdict

Crookhaven: The School for Thieves is an enjoyable, imaginative adventure with memorable characters, strong friendships and a fresh take on the secret-school genre.

It may not be the most dramatic or shocking book we've ever read, but that's partly why we enjoyed it. It was easy to settle into, interesting throughout and left us genuinely excited to continue the series.

If your child enjoys mysteries, adventure stories or books like Harry Potter, this is well worth adding to their reading list.

 

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