Highway Robbery
A young, homeless beggar boy in eighteenth-century England tells the tale of an extraordinary course of events. The down-on-his-luck lad is cold and hungry on the day a rider on a magnificent steed comes barreling toward him on the street. The man dismounts, hands the boy the reins, and offers him a golden guinea upon his return if the boy will watch the horse for awhile. The beautiful black mare draws attention, especially from a group of soldiers who are on the trail of Dick Turpin. Stories of the famous robber have made him the boy’s hero. Now, it seems, the horse the boy is holding may be Turpin’s Black Bess, and the soldiers expect the boy’s cooperation as they lie in wait for the owner’s return. Kate Thompson’s vividly told story has humor, tension, and a surprising twist as it comes to a close. Occasional black-and-white illustrations reflect the story’s lighthearted spirit. ©2009 Cooperative Children's Book Center
Illustrated by Jonny Duddle, Robert Dress
CCBC Age Recommendation: Ages 7-10
Age Range:
PreK-Early Elementary (Ages 4-7)
Grades 3-5 (Ages 8-10)
Format:
Novel
Subjects:
18th Century
Celebrity/Fame
Crime
Economic Hardship and Poverty
Historical Fiction
Homelessness
Humor
Surprise Endings
Suspense
Trust
Publishers:
Greenwillow, HarperCollins
Publish Year: 2009
Pages: 118
ISBN: 9780061730344
CCBC Location: Fiction, Thompson