A Bandit's Tale: The Muddled Misadventures of a Pickpocket

by Deborah Hopkinson

From an award-winning author of historical fiction comes a story of survival, crime, adventure, and horses in the streets of 19th century New York City.

Eleven-year-old Rocco is an Italian immigrant who finds himself alone in New York City after he's sold to a padrone by his poverty-stricken parents. While working as a street musician, he meets the boys of the infamous Bandits' Roost, who teach him the art of pickpocketing. Rocco embraces his new life of crime—he's good at it, and it's more lucrative than banging a triangle on the street corner. But when he meets Meddlin' Mary, a strong-hearted Irish girl who's determined to help the horses of New York City, things begin to change. Rocco begins to reexamine his life—and take his future into his own hands.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Middle Grade, Young Adult, Historical, Adventure, Childrens, Juvenile

7 pages, Audio CD

First published April 5, 2016

About the author

I write nonfiction and historical fiction, picture books, and Golden Books. I speak at school, libraries, and conferences. I also love to garden and offer manuscript critiques. (Deborahhopkinson@yahoo.com)

NEW books in 2024 include DETERMINED DREAMER: THE STORY OF MARIE CURIE, illus by Jen Hill, ON A SUMMER NIGHT, illus by Kenard Pak, TRIM HELPS OUT and TRIM SAILS the STORM, illus by Kristy Caldwell, EVIDENCE! illustrated by Nik Henderson, and a nonfiction work called THEY SAVED THE STALLIONS. I'm delighted to say that Trim Helps Out, Trim Sails the Storm, On a Summer Night and Evidence! are all Junior Library Guild selections.

I live and work in Oregon and travel all over to speak to young readers and writers.

Reviews

[Rachel McMillan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the reason kids books exist: a perfect picaresque tale of scrappy, quick-witted Rocco who uses his street-smarts while pitted against the dangers of a new world. New York is perfectly painted and the treatment of animals as well as the cameo by Jacob Riis blend together with a fully realized setting perfect for classroom study.

Hopkinson is at the top of her game with this winsome tale of friendship, survival and social advocacy.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable and enlightening historical fiction novel set in New York in the late 1800's. Rocco is an Italian immigrant that has come to America under the "care and protection" of a Padrone. Although this book reminded me a lot of The Clockwork Three and Oliver Twist, it was fresh and well written but just a tad too long.

[Dover Free Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tamara listened to this audiobook and wrote this review: Once again another excellent nominee for this year's Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award (the Annual Vermont's Children's Choice Contest). I was very entertained by the Dickens-style story of a young Italian immigrant boy in early 1900s New York City, whose Padrona (basically slave owner) forces him, and other young boys who have been given to him from poor villages in Italy, to play instruments on street corners to earn $1 a day. The Padrona keeps the money while the boys live in a dank, cold cellar with little to eat. But Rocco has ambitions and talent. Though it seems he has little morals when he hires himself out as a pickpocket in an effort to escape his beggarly life-style, his story winds its was from rags to riches (in a certain way). All the while I learned much rich history of the era, became introduced to interesting historical characters, enjoyed a bit of adventure and humor related to that time in history. The end of the book contains an excellent and interesting description of this type of story-style, its history and the true background of events and persons contained within. Download this from the Dover Free Library.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

When it is believed that 11 year-old Rocco Zaccaro has brought shame to his family in their village of Calvello, Italy, he soon finds himself sent to New York City to work for a man his parents believe is honorable. Signor Ancarola is a padrone or patron and promises the Zaccaro's $20. for the next four years, it Rocco continues to work for him. It is 1887 and such things were still done to children then.

After a long voyage in steerage, Rocco finds himself living in a cellar with a bunch of other kids on Mulberry Bend in New York's Little Italy. There is never enough to eat and it's always cold, and each morning the children are giving musical instruments and told they must bring at least $1.00 back to Signor Ancarola or else face his paddle.

Not terribly inclined to play the triangle he is given, Rocco decides to work on getting his bearings first with the intention of coming up with a plan to leave Signor Ancarola. And the first person he runs into is Mary Hallanan, a young Irish meddler determined to help all of the city's mistreated, overworked horses and who will weave in and out of Rocco's life for the next year or so. Next Rocco meets Tony and Carlo, two older boys who introduce him to another, more profitable way of earning his daily dollar - pickpocketing. Soon the three boys have quite a robust pickpocketing business going for themselves, but Rocco still suffers from homesickness and the desire to return to his family in Calvello. Since the boys divide their plunder with the lion's share going to Tony, and Rocco handing over a dollar to Signor Ancarola everyday, it isn't surprising that he comes up with a plan to work afternoons on his own to make more money. Of course, Tony and Carlo warn his this is a bad idea, but Rocco is nothing if not hardheaded.

This decision leads to more adventures and even a stint in the House of Refuge for juvenile delinquents on Randall's Island, working for Jacob Riis, and even doing some meddling with Mary Hallanan and her blacksmith father. But does Rocco ever find his way out of his muddled misadventures? Does he ever see his family again? And what about Tony and Carlo?

I love books that are set in New York City and A Bandit's Tale is right up my alley. It is full of historical references and photos throughout, making it topnotch historical fiction. Rocco is a lively, personable character, who just seems bent on learning things the hard way, despite the fact that his heart is always in the right place. His journey is divided into four books and an epilogue, each book covering one of Rocco's big misadventures and his story is set between Spring 1887 and Spring 1889, a very interesting time as anyone who has ever looked as Jacob Riis's photos of the people living there will attest to.

You would think that a book that has themes like selling children to strangers, immigration, animal cruelty, and child labor would not sound very appealing to young readers, but Deborah Hopkinson's books are always so well-written and well-researched and this is not exception and Rocco's youthful narration really speaks to them. A Bandit's Tale is a book that middle grade readers will certainly enjoy, especially since Rocco is a great picaro figure, in the tradition of the best picaresque novels and not often found in children's literature.

One important note - 2016 is the 150th anniversary of the founding of the ASPCA and one of the figures that is mentioned in the novel is Henry Bergh, who was known as "the Great Meddler" and is Mary Hallanan's hero. And no wonder, Bergh found the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1866, Unfortunately, he died in 1888, which is also the turning point in Rocco's life. I don't think that is too much of a coincidence.

A Bandit's Tale is truly an inspiring work.

This book is recommended for readers age 9+
This book was sent to my by the author, Deborah Hopkinson

This review was originally posted on Randomly Reading

[Art · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought of Charles Dickens book; "David Cooperfield" & "A Christmas Carol"
Laura Ingalls Wilder book, "The Long Winter" & "Hard Winter" by Johnny D. Boggs.

Also I thought of my ancestors and their arrival here in America. The Arnolds and the Robbins families came during the Irish potato famine.

Realization that we are a country made of Immigrants, good and bad, and how America was shaped the way she is today.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great children's book about a charming little Italian boy trying to make his way in NYC in the late 1800s. This story covers the mistreatment of kids at that time, particularly immigrants, and teaches the lesson of honesty and hardwork. I read a lot of books that take place in this setting and there are always street kids in it but this takes a deeper look into their lives and how they get on the streets. I appreciated getting this new perspective!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

this was a book about the mistreatment of children in New York City in the late 1800's. Many of them were immigrants from other countries. This particular boy was from Italy and was sold to a man who brought him to America to work for him. There were many boys that were given an instrument to play in the city and bring money back to the padrone. Rocco was given a triangle to play and beg for money. Each child was expected to bring a dollar back or they were punished. There were many boys who lived in the basement of a building, no heat, very little food, baths once a month, and the padrone cut the lip of each boy to mark the boy as belonging to that padrone, etc. One day 2 other boys approached Rocco about become a pickpocket and told him he would make more money just for him. As he began to learn the "trade", he decided he could do it himself just as well. He was caught and sent to the House of Refuge on an island where he had a bed, 3 meals a day and taught a trade. He becomes a favorite of one of the policeman who worked there and would help him with different tasks. He was put in the printshop to learn a trade and liked it. One day Officer Reilly asked him to help with a boat and Rocco decides to escape. He ended up in the worst blizzare New York had seen. He made it to the mainland but was lost because of the blizzard. He was

[Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book* · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hopkinson, Deborah A Bandit's Tale: The Muddled Misadventures Of A Pickpocket, 304 pages. Steven Malk, 2016. $17. Language: G (0 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: G; Violence: PG.

Rocco is an eleven year old boy who has been taken away from his poor family in France to earn in America. While being taken away from his abusive Padrone, Rocco learns how to pickpocket. On the streets of New York City, Rocco is supposed to play a metal triangle to earn at least $1 a day. While his Padrone isn't looking, Rocco pickpockets many people who aren't paying attention to their valuable belongings. Rocco is very dirty and can only take a bath once a month and he never gets new clothes. In the streets of New York, Rocco doesn't know how to speak English and only French.

I didn't like how the book doesn't explain things very well and makes you feel very confused. I liked how the main character, Rocco, doesn't give up and keeps pushing forward to earn money for his family.

EL, MS - OPTIONAL 7th grade student reviewer CK
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...

[Tamara]

I was very entertained by the Dickens-style story of a young Italian immigrant boy in early 1900s New York City, whose Padrona (basically slave owner) forces him, and other young boys who have been given to him from poor villages in Italy, to play instruments on street corners to earn $1 a day. The Padrona keeps the money while the boys live in a dank, cold cellar with little to eat. But Rocco has ambitions and talent. Though it seems he has little morals when he hires himself out as a pickpocket in an effort to escape his beggarly life-style, his story winds its was from rags to riches (in a certain way). All the while I learned much rich history of the era, became introduced to interesting historical characters, enjoyed a bit of adventure and humor related to that time in history. The end of the book contains an excellent and interesting description of this type of story-style, its history and the true background of events and persons contained within.

[Suzanne Rogers · Rating 3 out of 5]

Historical fiction. I blame the editing on the rating for this book. It opened my eyes more to the world of street musicians and the harsh lives of many immigrants in New York City. The story was compelling and had so much potential, but I couldn't tell what direction it was going or what it was trying to say quick enough, and the real photos intersperse had no explanation and did not include explanations - I had to figure those out at the end. He kept an incident about his past secret the entire book and his whole experience hinged on it and he kept referring back to it - that felt frustrating as a reader, not engaging. This same author's book The Great Trouble, all about the blue death in London was put together much better.

[Gail Gauthier · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The problems of today's immigrants to the U.S. kept coming to mind while I was reading this. What's the connection? Immigrants have always had a hard time here. I'm not sure if there's something comforting about that because so many groups suffered and then moved on or profoundly disturbing because so little changes. Another interesting point: This book deals with America's nonAnglo-Saxon, Protestant experience.

The author adds terrific end material, explaining all the historical elements she worked into the story. "

Excerpt from Original Content.

[Miss Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

FIC HOP

GR: S
Lexile: 740L

Rocco doesn't have it easy when he is snatched out of his home and family and shipped to America to raise money for someone else. He soon learns to APPRECIATE what he's had. He learns to COMMUNICATE with others buy learning English and sharing his ideas about the social issues he has survived through. Because of his tough life he has EMPATHY for many other immigrants that have it hard. He will need to TAKE A RISK to set things right.

This story was sad to hear about all the difficult things children were exposed to back in the day. They weren't treated very well, and Rocco speaks up to make a difference.

[Erica · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rocco doesn't have it easy when he is snatched out of his home and family and shipped to America to raise money for someone else. He soon learns to APPRECIATE what he's had. He learns to COMMUNICATE with others buy learning English and sharing his ideas about the social issues he has survived through. Because of his tough life he has EMPATHY for many other immigrants that have it hard. He will need to TAKE A RISK to set things right.

This story was sad, to hear about all the difficult things children were exposed to back in the day. They weren't treated very well, and Rocco speaks up to make a difference.

[Shaundell Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rocco lives in Italy with his family in 1887. Due to a small misunderstanding, he is sold and shipped off to America - New York City, actually. He is living in squalor with other boys and they are all forced to play music on the streets for pennies a day, which they must turn over to their "padrone." Luck changes for Rocco when he meets two boys who show him a better life. And then comes along Mary and her father and Rocco realizes that he needs to make everything right.

I loved the informational articles at the end of the book that describe real-life people, places, and events on which the author based his information. Beehive Book Nominee 2017-2018.

[Rebecca Whitney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will enthrall lovers of stories full of mischief, trouble, a heroic underdog and historical fiction. The main character, Rocco, is brought to America by a questionable patron who immediately puts Rocco to work for his own gain. Rocco yearns to break away and make a life for his own in New York City, but he doesn't even speak English and has no money of his own. Rocco gets into many scrapes, meets a whole cast of interesting characters, and in the end, learns a lot about himself. A great adventure tale that kids--who can get past the historical setting and the Italian slang--will greatly enjoy.

[Lindsey P · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has the life of a boy learning to be a thief from bad influences which gives a thrill to the readers staying hooked. When reading the book I noticed the format is more in the informal type showing more of a relaxed arrangement. The author/illustrator throughout the book shows illustrations of the young boy learning to steal and change his character by the influences around him which help the readers visualize what the scene is like. A few topics that are discussed were the change of this young man in a large city learning about surroundings, and learning to be more of an independent being.

[Lindsay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was another recommendation from my daughter and I loved it! I loved the character, the history, the style (which I learned from the prologue is a picaresque novel, appropriate for the time period). It was so much fun to see the life of a pickpocket, and astonishing to understand the sad truth of some of the history and our children of the past. The author did a great job at showing the realities without making it too harsh for children. I just really enjoyed the book!

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! It was a fun historical fiction with a great message about an individual's ability to make the world a better place. I loved the picaresque style, and Rocco was so much fun to care about. In all, A Bandit's Tale was an eye-opening look at New York in the 1800s, and it made me want to be a social reformer now.

Seriously, this book was great.

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

A historical fiction account of a boy named Rocco who came to America via his padrone to work as a street musician and ends up in worse circumstances which tenement living, abuse, and becoming a pickpocket to earn his keep. Rocco lands in some tricky situations and makes friends along the way. He discovers empathy for boys in situations such as his own and strives to highlight their plight.

[Rachel Fewkes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was wonderful! It captivated me at nearly every turn of the page. The Idea behind this book is one I never knew about or would have thought of using. Though it had a few bumps in the beginning( It was kind of confusing) it all became un-muddled the farther along the reader would get into the story.

[Hailey H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book so much it was amazing!!!! I was on the edge of my seat the whole time! I highly recommend this book!! It is also a beehive book! It is about a boy that had to go to New York to be a street musician because his parents sold him. When he gets to New York many amazing adventures happen! You should read this book!

[Lyndsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5. We listened to this as a family and we really enjoyed it. It was neat to see life from someone’s perspective that you wouldn’t normally. It was a good reminder that we can’t judge other people based on our own life experiences. Everyone has different trials and experiences and we can’t judge someone else based on our own.

[Whimseas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book with and interesting and unique story telling style. I like historical fiction, this book was set in the early 1900's in New York city before child labor laws. The main character is an Italian immigrant boy who was brought to this country more or less as an indentured servant. Rocco must work as a street musician and earn at least $1 a day. He is our narrator.

[Miriam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Usually this type of book, with a cocky teenaged boy for a main character, is not the kind I like. But this one I have found myself checking out from the library over and over. (And Rocco's really not that cocky.) The reason I like Rocco: even when he's pushed into a bad situation where he can barely survive, he still has a good heart and helps Mary when she needs it most.

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love good historical fiction that opens your mind and heart to a new time period, historical events, and a host of beautiful, complicated characters...both fictional and real. This book nailed it. Thoroughly enjoyed this heartbreaking, beautiful, raw story.

[Stacey Socholotuk · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting and grittier historical fiction for upper elementary/middle school students. Includes historical data and photos to supplement the story of a fictional character, based on a group of real people.

[Holly Esterline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I rooted for Rocco the whole time, both as he got out of painful situations and as he decided to change his life. The setting felt real. The action is sometimes a little far-fetched, but that didn't impact by enjoyment of the story.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical fiction must be my genre. This 2018 Beehive nominee takes place in the early 1900's in NY City. Great read~!

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it

[Nathaniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

i liked it