A Pickpocket's Tale

In 1730, Molly is a ten-year-old orphan who is convicted of pick-pocketing in London and deported to America. Even though her mother was Jewish, Molly is unfamiliar with Jewish customs and rituals. When a Jewish family in the new settlement of New York purchases Molly to be their indentured servant, she learns to follow and respect the Jewish traditions as well as the more civilized lifestyle of a "nib cull." She also learns about the importance of family, forgiveness, and faith. Karen Schwabach's rich descriptions of the food, clothing, living conditions, and scenery are impressive. Her use of the London dialect Flash-cant, used by pickpockets, while adding authenticity and flavor, weighs down the dialogue at times and may frustrate some readers. However, the unique plot, multi-dimensional characters, suspense, and excitement will make this meticulously researched novel a favorite among historical fiction fans. A map of the city of New York and an author's note providing historical background is appended along with a glossary of Flash-cant words and phrases. A great choice for a book club discussion and a fantastic tie-in for students learning about early-American history - highly recommended!

When my daughter finished this book she insisted that I read it. I started it with a kind of ho-hum attitude, then found myself quickly locked into the world of colonial New York, Molly the convicted pickpocket, Arabella the slave, the shady Mrs. Wilkins and mischievous little Rachel. I felt like a fly on the wall in the Bell's home and I loved the things that happened there. The book struck me as perfect for middle school children and above - lots of tension, but no terror. I'd recommend it to kids and their parents as a really good read.

I loved this book, both for its rich historical detail and the empathy with which the author treats the characters. There are heroes and villains, as in any good story, and Molly is so realistic that I felt like there was an extra person in the house as I was reading "A Pickpocket's Tale" and all the following week. I would love to hear more about her and her "adventures" in New York, and it would be neat to see how some of the other story lines developed in a second novel. A week after finishing the book, I haven't been able to stop thinking about the story. Karen Schwabach brought the characters and the time period vividly to life!

My daughter didn't put down this book, from the moment she picked it up until she finally finished it way, way past her bedtime. Then I picked it up to take a look, and I was caught, too! The story of the early-American immigrant experience, and the look at the history of Jewish people in New York and London, was fascinating, but what really kept my interest was the characters of Molly and the Bell family. I haven't enjoyed a book meant for children so much since HP and the Half-Blood Prince.

When Molly arrives in New York, it is as alien to her as another planet -- which is just as well, because the New York of the early 1700s turns out to be just as strange to us as it is to her. Discovering the city -- actually a small town at the southern end of Manhattan Island -- is pure fun. At first Molly is not having as much fun as the reader; this is not one of those books that sugar-coat things -- but it is not one of those that revel in grimness, either. Things begin to improve for Molly from the moment she lands in America and lands among decent people trying to get by in difficult times. Karen Cushman's blurb on the back cover ends with "You're going to love this book" -- and you are. (Especially if you're a fan of Karen Cushman's work: "Catherine, Called Birdy," "The Midwife's Apprentice.") Karen Schwabach's realist outlook resembles Karen Cushman's, but she adds a uniquely expressive voice, or rather several voices, of her own. I'm already anxious to find out what happens to these characters next, and hoping for a sequel, or better yet a series.