Museum of Thieves

Gr 4—8—In the city of Jewel, all danger and risk has been eradicated. Children are bound to their parents or a Blessed Guardian by a silver chain at all times to keep them safe until their Separation Day. This year, the Protector has lowered the age of Separation from 16 to 12, and Goldie can hardly wait for the ceremony. Just as she is about to be free for the first time in her life, a bomb explodes in the city and the ceremony is canceled. Desperate, Goldie runs away in the chaos and finds herself in the mysterious Museum of Dunt. The Keepers of the Museum teach her about its many secrets. The leader of the Blessed Guardians has also learned of the Museum's secrets, and he has a plan to use it for his own ends. It falls to Goldie and her new friend, Toadspit, to save the people of Jewel and the Museum from destruction. The cliffhanger ending of Lian Tanner's thrilling adventure story (Delacorte, 2010) will keep listeners eagerly awaiting the next installment. Claudia Black's narration is fantastic. She gives the characters distinct voices and uses tone variation and pacing expertly to enhance the mood of each scene. A winner!—Beth Gallego, Los Angeles Public Library, CA