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Trailblazer Books (Chronological) #11
The Thieves of Tyburn Square
Betsey and Loren Maxwell's only hope is the compassionate prison reformer, Elizabeth Fry. Ages 8-12.
143 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 1, 1995
3 people are currently reading
102 people want to read
About the author
Dave Jackson
233 books70 followersDave and Neta Jackson are a full-time husband/wife writing team who have authored and co-authored many books on marriage and family, the church, relationships, and other subjects. Their books for children include the TRAILBLAZER series and Hero Tales, volumes I,II, III, and IV. The Jacksons make their home in Evanston, Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
October 6, 2020
Zoe and I both enjoyed learning about selfless Elizabeth Fry. The conditions seemed so overwhelming but step by step she did what she could and accomplished so much!
December 20, 2025
Young siblings Betsey and Loren Maxwell are struggling in early 19th-century England after their mother is sent to Australia for a petty theft. With few options, they end up in a harsh London workhouse and later escape to survive on the streets. Their desperate choices lead them to steal and get arrested in Tyburn Square. Facing grim consequences and terrified of losing each other forever, Betsey meets Elizabeth Fry, a compassionate Quaker prison reformer. Fry’s kindness and courage become their only hope of rescue from the gallows and a chance at a new life. �
June 25, 2018
The first time I read this book was years ago. I , and a family friend gave it to me. Thus the book began my knowledge on Elizabeth Fry.
"The Thieves of Tyburn Square" is a fictionalized look into the life of Elizabeth Fry. It follows Betsey, a character who is caught with her brother Loren in the act of thievery, and the affect Fry had on her life.
This is a great read for kids. It really helps them - and helped me - to learn. There are subtle hints to some dark subjects that kids may not have processed yet. It's an inspiring story.
(Re-reading some childhood favorites; June 25th, 2018)
"The Thieves of Tyburn Square" is a fictionalized look into the life of Elizabeth Fry. It follows Betsey, a character who is caught with her brother Loren in the act of thievery, and the affect Fry had on her life.
This is a great read for kids. It really helps them - and helped me - to learn. There are subtle hints to some dark subjects that kids may not have processed yet. It's an inspiring story.
(Re-reading some childhood favorites; June 25th, 2018)
March 9, 2025
This is a fictional book about the real life person, Elizabeth Fry. The author lets the reader know from the beginning which characters are fake and who were real people. The characters felt real, the dialogue wasn't awkward or unnatural. Elizabeth Fry, a Quaker, was allowed to show some emotions such as anger, compassion, and sadness. Although a children's book, it does mention things like gin, drunkenness, prostitutes, and other similar words. In my opinion, it did not go beyond what was appropriate for children, but parents may want to be aware.
July 31, 2023
Number of pages: 131
Genre: Historical fiction
Series: Trailblazers (all books are unrelated missionary stories)
Age recommendation: 8-14ish
Summary: Their mother had been sent away to New South Wales for stealing candlesticks, and Loren and Betsy were left to fend for themselves. They were sent to the workhouse, but couldn't stand the conditions and escaped back to the streets. When the kids are caught pick pocketing, they are sent to jail, where Betsy meets Quaker woman, Elizabeth Fry.
My thoughts: I was actually really excited to read this book. I had heard a bit about the prison work that Elizabeth Fry did to improve the conditions for the women. This book opened my eyes to some of the terrible things in England’s past. People were hanged or sent to Australia for anything as small as stealing a loaf of bread, to anything as big as murder. Neither of these things are good to do, but I feel like there shouldn’t be the same punishment for the two things. Also, the fact that murderers and pickpockets were kept in the same cell - in fact everyone was kept in the same room altogether; that’s crazy! I don’t know about you, but I’d be kind of scared of sleeping in the same room as a murderer. Plus, people would come watch the prisoners who were sent to Australia to make fun of them and torment them, which is horrible. I guess they’re the same people who were going to watch public hangings too, which is absolutely disgusting.
I got really scared for one of the characters near the end, but it worked out (as I knew it would because it’s written for elementary schoolers so it has to end well). I think I sometimes get too invested in books and then forget that it has to turn out good. Or maybe it’s just that I used to purposefully end my stories badly to annoy my sister and I think others will too 😊
Overall, it was a really fun story and I learned a lot about the conditions of prisons and what Elizabeth Fry did to change things and help the women.
My personal rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
Genre: Historical fiction
Series: Trailblazers (all books are unrelated missionary stories)
Age recommendation: 8-14ish
Summary: Their mother had been sent away to New South Wales for stealing candlesticks, and Loren and Betsy were left to fend for themselves. They were sent to the workhouse, but couldn't stand the conditions and escaped back to the streets. When the kids are caught pick pocketing, they are sent to jail, where Betsy meets Quaker woman, Elizabeth Fry.
My thoughts: I was actually really excited to read this book. I had heard a bit about the prison work that Elizabeth Fry did to improve the conditions for the women. This book opened my eyes to some of the terrible things in England’s past. People were hanged or sent to Australia for anything as small as stealing a loaf of bread, to anything as big as murder. Neither of these things are good to do, but I feel like there shouldn’t be the same punishment for the two things. Also, the fact that murderers and pickpockets were kept in the same cell - in fact everyone was kept in the same room altogether; that’s crazy! I don’t know about you, but I’d be kind of scared of sleeping in the same room as a murderer. Plus, people would come watch the prisoners who were sent to Australia to make fun of them and torment them, which is horrible. I guess they’re the same people who were going to watch public hangings too, which is absolutely disgusting.
I got really scared for one of the characters near the end, but it worked out (as I knew it would because it’s written for elementary schoolers so it has to end well). I think I sometimes get too invested in books and then forget that it has to turn out good. Or maybe it’s just that I used to purposefully end my stories badly to annoy my sister and I think others will too 😊
Overall, it was a really fun story and I learned a lot about the conditions of prisons and what Elizabeth Fry did to change things and help the women.
My personal rating: 4.5/5 stars.
Link to blog: https://karinaschristianreads.wordpre...
May 20, 2020
Assigned to read this whole series in middle school, and I learned a lot. Great educational read!
December 13, 2023
I grew up on these books, and this one was my favorite. I don’t know how many times I’ve read it.
Surprisingly, it still holds up very well!
Surprisingly, it still holds up very well!
December 20, 2016
Typical Betsey: "Hot tears sprang to Betsey's eyes. Why were the people so mean? Why was the judge sending her mother away? Would she ever see her again? And what were she and Loren going to do now?"
Betsey's mom has been sent away to Botany Bay, "the gateway to a living hell," for stealing. Now Betsey and Loren, her older brother, have to survive by themselves. They are sent to one of London's workhouses, where they are extremely overworked. But then they are caught for stealing, and the real struggle begins. Is there no one at all who will look on them with kindness and help them?
"The Thieves of Tyburn Square" is part of the Trailblazer series. This book doesn’t really have God at the center of everything, but it does show how a life can change through contact with Christians. It introduces the historical Quaker Elizabeth Fry and makes history interesting.
Betsey's mom has been sent away to Botany Bay, "the gateway to a living hell," for stealing. Now Betsey and Loren, her older brother, have to survive by themselves. They are sent to one of London's workhouses, where they are extremely overworked. But then they are caught for stealing, and the real struggle begins. Is there no one at all who will look on them with kindness and help them?
"The Thieves of Tyburn Square" is part of the Trailblazer series. This book doesn’t really have God at the center of everything, but it does show how a life can change through contact with Christians. It introduces the historical Quaker Elizabeth Fry and makes history interesting.
July 29, 2010
Review by Joshua T.
It was about two children that are left orphaned and how they go through their struggles and trials.
I thought it was interesting because it had adventure in it.
I liked it because a lady named Elizabeth was willing to help them and she even got to witness through it all.
It was about two children that are left orphaned and how they go through their struggles and trials.
I thought it was interesting because it had adventure in it.
I liked it because a lady named Elizabeth was willing to help them and she even got to witness through it all.
Read
February 12, 2009JAR5-Jac
April 13, 2013
This book made a huge impact on me when I was younger. Love this series of "Trailblazer" books! :)
January 21, 2015
This book tells about the prison work of Elizabeth Fry.
February 28, 2016
Interesting history, but not the greatest book. Seven year old liked it though, wanted to keep reading and was disappointed for it to end.
October 3, 2015
See the first book in the series (Spy for the Night Riders) for a full review.
November 3, 2015
This is probably one of the best books I've ever read .Its very educational and my school read it to me.
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June 8, 2022read for school in 1st grade
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews