Peter Burns is the author of ten critically acclaimed nonfiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards--twice for the prestigious William Hill Sports Book of the Year. The truth, however, is that he's always wanted to write children's books, so The School for Thieves is a dream come true. Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a master's in publishing at Napier University. He lives in Edinburgh with his wife, four kids, and a slightly nervous cocker spaniel. He isn't a thief, a spy, an assassin, or a politico. Or is he? Visit him at PeterBurnsAuthor.com.

"Dark, daring and delightful, The School for Thieves is packed with spectacular heists, stylish cons and breathtaking set-pieces. This unputdownable new fantasy is conjured with immense imagination and verve. A brilliant achievement and a thrilling read."--Jonathan Stroud, author of the Bartimaeus series

"This high-octane, fast-paced debut will be impossible to put down, especially for 9+ Skandar fans"--The Guardian

"A mix of Dickensian atmosphere, Bond-like stunts and boarding school rivalries, this is a must for Harry Potter or Percy Jackson fans."--The Daily Mail "06/27/2025"

"Morgan leads readers on a fast-paced journey of jewelry heists and boarding school brawls, delivering a dabbling of dark academia to the middle-grade audience."--Booklist "07/01/2025"

"In his children's debut, Burns deploys propulsive pacing and action-packed plotting to spin a page-turning, edge-of-the-seat adventure. Meticulously unraveled secrets and personable characters will have readers clamoring for the next volume of this enthralling series starter."--Publisher's Weekly STARRED REVIEW "6/2/2025"

"Clever and gripping, this fast-paced boarding school story will appeal to fans of the Mysterious Benedict Society and Spy School series. A thrilling first installment in an adventurous new series."--Kirkus Reviews "6/1/2025"

"Brimming with adventures, daring missions, and fierce friendships, this fast-paced story will keep fans of Stephen Gibbs's Spy School and other spy thrillers gripped and hungry for the next installment."--School Library Journal "7/11/25"

Publisher: Bound to Stay Bound Books

Pub date: 2025-08-26

Length: 344 pages