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The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books
This clever, fast-paced adventure is a mix of the Story Thieves series and Ready Player One!
Oliver Nelson has a terrible secret-he's a thief.
But he only steals books from the Garden Grove Library that are old, musty, brittle, or incomplete, like his favorite book, The Timekeeper's Children. No one reads anymore, and surely no one will miss them, right? Wrong.
The Pribbles are famous inventors of the most popular toy in the world, alternate-reality goggles. They are also book collectors who are searching for The Timekeeper's Children, so the Pribbles hatch a plan. They invite Oliver, the last person to have checked it out, to their mansion and use special software from their goggles to steal the last remaining copy of the book--from inside Oliver's mind.
Now, Oliver is thrust into the middle of the story and must help the main characters steal pieces scattered around the fictional world of Dulum to build a magical clock that can turn back time before the evil sorcerer Sigil takes over. They'll encounter hideous giants, bloodsucking bats, vicious eels, a Nasty Rodent Eater, a gang of wicked children, and a strange, dark figure that follows them from chapter to chapter, all the while with the Pribbles in pursuit.
Can Oliver save Dulum before Sigil destroys everything? And will he finish The Timekeeper's Children before the Pribbles steal it from his mind?
Oliver Nelson has a terrible secret-he's a thief.
But he only steals books from the Garden Grove Library that are old, musty, brittle, or incomplete, like his favorite book, The Timekeeper's Children. No one reads anymore, and surely no one will miss them, right? Wrong.
The Pribbles are famous inventors of the most popular toy in the world, alternate-reality goggles. They are also book collectors who are searching for The Timekeeper's Children, so the Pribbles hatch a plan. They invite Oliver, the last person to have checked it out, to their mansion and use special software from their goggles to steal the last remaining copy of the book--from inside Oliver's mind.
Now, Oliver is thrust into the middle of the story and must help the main characters steal pieces scattered around the fictional world of Dulum to build a magical clock that can turn back time before the evil sorcerer Sigil takes over. They'll encounter hideous giants, bloodsucking bats, vicious eels, a Nasty Rodent Eater, a gang of wicked children, and a strange, dark figure that follows them from chapter to chapter, all the while with the Pribbles in pursuit.
Can Oliver save Dulum before Sigil destroys everything? And will he finish The Timekeeper's Children before the Pribbles steal it from his mind?
368 pages, Hardcover
First published March 2, 2021
12 people are currently reading
554 people want to read
About the author
Adam Perry
6 books62 followersAdam Perry is the author of The Magicians of Elephant County and The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books. The son of an elementary school librarian, he discovered a love of stories at an early age. He lives in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, with his wife, children, and a growing collection of children’s books. To the best of his knowledge, none of them are stolen. Find out more at adamperrybooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
June 28, 2021
If you are a lover of stories & books, you will fall in love with this. It’s amazing! I really loved it. Who hasn’t wished they could go into their favorite book, & live the story with their favorite characters. To meet them, become friends, & have that adventure WITH them that you’ve read about time & time again?! Are you kidding me?! That would be awesome. Oliver’s real life world, however, is my worst nightmare! A world where kids no longer read for fun, or have hardly any imagination of their own? But are basically zombies to their alternate reality goggles? No thank you! I can’t even do audiobooks or ebooks!😆The story collectors were awful people. Determined to own all the books in the world, & only give kids stories they choose to give them? Ugh Books are meant to be read by anybody & shared. I loved all the characters, & thought they were done so well-even the ones I didn’t like: the Pribbles, & Cora annoyed me too lol Oliver was an amazing MC, & I loved him. My heart belongs to Nasty though. That bird with his polite posh way of speaking, even when he’s being rude lol, he’s the best. Blumpf also has my heart though. Amazing, unique character who says so much with only being able to say one word! The humor in here is great. And the “narrator” really feels like they are narrating directly to you-especially since they speak directly to you quite often lol it’s great. Sometimes even seeming to poke fun at itself! This was also so creative & unique. Every detail of the world Oliver goes to inside his favorite book is so detailed & vivid. So many amazing things we encounter along the way. And the CORTEXIA machine-frightening! Just awful. This also makes you think-what if we found out we were only characters in a story? But aren’t we? We’re all characters in our own stories in a way really. The ending was also so great. Never saw the twists coming, & LOVED how it all came together & wrapped up. So much action, adventure, imagination, danger, suspense, & sheer determination in here. Highly recommend, & can’t wait for another book by this author! BEAUTIFUL cover by the AMAZING David SanAngelo too!💜
June 7, 2021
I heard a lot of buzz about this book on social media, so I finally picked up a copy from McNally Robinson. Wow. It hooked me from the very first page (who can resist when “blood” is the first word?) right until the end.
This book takes place in a time when children rarely read for pleasure. Alternative reality goggles are the most common form of entertainment, created by The Pribbles, who are famous inventors. Oliver is one of the few exceptions who still loves books, but he also has a secret he’s hiding – he steals them from his local library. When The Pribbles discover Oliver was the last person to check out The Timekeeper’s Children, a title they desperately need for their extensive book collection, they are willing to go to extreme lengths to get it from Oliver by extracting it from his mind using a new invention called CORTEXIA. Oliver and The Pribbles are thrown into the story, but Oliver goes off course and changes the story’s trajectory while The Pribbles chase him through it. Oliver makes friends (and enemies) of the characters, encounters deadly beasts, has to help find items to build a device to turn back time before the evil Sigil tries to wipe out children altogether.
I loved the humour in this story and that I never knew what would happen next. It was richly detailed, imaginative, and moved at a quick pace. It’s definitely on my list of favorite fantasy reads for the first half of 2021, and I predict this book will appeal to many of my fantasy-loving patrons.
Recommended: Gr. 5-7 (5 stars)
This book takes place in a time when children rarely read for pleasure. Alternative reality goggles are the most common form of entertainment, created by The Pribbles, who are famous inventors. Oliver is one of the few exceptions who still loves books, but he also has a secret he’s hiding – he steals them from his local library. When The Pribbles discover Oliver was the last person to check out The Timekeeper’s Children, a title they desperately need for their extensive book collection, they are willing to go to extreme lengths to get it from Oliver by extracting it from his mind using a new invention called CORTEXIA. Oliver and The Pribbles are thrown into the story, but Oliver goes off course and changes the story’s trajectory while The Pribbles chase him through it. Oliver makes friends (and enemies) of the characters, encounters deadly beasts, has to help find items to build a device to turn back time before the evil Sigil tries to wipe out children altogether.
I loved the humour in this story and that I never knew what would happen next. It was richly detailed, imaginative, and moved at a quick pace. It’s definitely on my list of favorite fantasy reads for the first half of 2021, and I predict this book will appeal to many of my fantasy-loving patrons.
Recommended: Gr. 5-7 (5 stars)
November 14, 2021
This is such a unique story and unlike anything I’ve read before! It was so fun to read and had me laughing out loud so many times.
October 9, 2021
This is a book that makes you lean over to the person next to you and exclaim, "You have to see this!"
It would make a great read aloud with 4th-6th graders! Can you tell that I'm a teacher?
It would make a great read aloud with 4th-6th graders! Can you tell that I'm a teacher?
February 12, 2021
A funny, laugh out loud, cheeky adventure novel kids and adults will love. It's an exciting page-turner reminiscent of The Phantom Tollbooth. Or sorta like Alice in Wonderland, but with more blood. The cliffhangers at nearly every chapter are brutal! Hard to put down.
The video game aspect and the story-within-a-story reminded me of aspects of Ready Player One and the Neverending Story. The author at times inserts himself in a self-deprecating way that is irreverently amusing and endearing.
There's also some mind-bending, Inception-style concepts toward the end, but I won't spoil them. Definitely provided good fodder for imaginative discussion with my 13-year-old!
This Roald Dahl-esque action thriller earned five stars from both myself and my son and we'll be sure to recommend it to anyone looking for a good time. Great as a read-aloud.
Thank you to the author for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
The video game aspect and the story-within-a-story reminded me of aspects of Ready Player One and the Neverending Story. The author at times inserts himself in a self-deprecating way that is irreverently amusing and endearing.
There's also some mind-bending, Inception-style concepts toward the end, but I won't spoil them. Definitely provided good fodder for imaginative discussion with my 13-year-old!
This Roald Dahl-esque action thriller earned five stars from both myself and my son and we'll be sure to recommend it to anyone looking for a good time. Great as a read-aloud.
Thank you to the author for an advance review copy. This is my honest review.
March 19, 2021
If you have a kid reader in your life who loves books, you must buy them The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children's Books. The language is fun, charming and whimsical (think Roald Dahl), the fantasy will sweep you away, the adventure and cliffhangers keep you turning the pages, and the story-within-a-story element of this novel is perfect for sharp readers.
Highly recommend! I was sorry to finish reading this book; I look forward to Adam Perry's next novel...
Highly recommend! I was sorry to finish reading this book; I look forward to Adam Perry's next novel...
July 3, 2021
This was a real "surprise me" book. I'd seen it on lists and the premise sounded interesting but... I just wasn't sure. After page 2, I was sure! I enjoyed this book immensely. Being a reading addict myself, Mr. Pribble's library sounded like an absolute dream, and keeping my books all pristine was something I used to do in my youth. Just as Mr. Pribble learned, the best kind of book is one that has been passed around, read, and discussed by as many friends and children as possible! The adventure and the idea of how the book changes inside someone's mind was a great idea and fun to imagine. This will be a book I recommend to students who like fantasy and/or adventure because it is a great combination of both.
August 3, 2021
In the near future, the ubiquitous alternative reality goggles invented by one Edmund R. Pribble have rendered children’s literature obsolete—except to 10-year-old Oliver Nelson, who copes with poverty and grief by hiding in a nigh-abandoned library and stealing his favorite volumes. But when Mr. and Mrs. Pribble discover that the last extant copy of an obscure book resides only in Oliver’s memory, they use the goggles to force him into the story, intending to steal it from his mind. [from Kirkus]
September 5, 2021
This book was just fun. I really enjoyed it. Probably not for everyone, but I really liked it. My brother would love this one.
February 13, 2021
Oliver Nelson is a ten-year-old boy growing up poor in a future filled with children who seem to have lost their ability to imagine. Instead of reading books, youth in Oliver’s time wear alternative reality goggles that create fictional worlds on their behalf, circumventing the need for imagination at all. Sadly, Oliver cannot afford goggles of his own, so he spends his days escaping the sadness of his mother’s death in the corners of his vacant local library. One day, the wealthy couple responsible for the popular goggles comes to the library in search of a rare book—the very last copy of which is secretly hidden beneath Oliver’s bed. When the book is accidentally discarded and the only memory of the story resides in Oliver’s mind, his very memory is at stake. Thrust into a very real version of his favorite tale, Oliver must team up with its characters to save everything they hold dear.
Breaking from many conventional storytelling techniques, this book shatters the fourth wall and often speaks directly to the reader. Surprising characters appear throughout the narrative, their presence explaining concepts like the narrator’s perspective and deus ex machina in delightfully comical ways. A story within a story in which a linear approach is not always suitable, readers will love the unpredictable plot twists that propel this story forward.
Short chapters filled with dialogue, direct narration, and comic relief make this book at once well suited to middle grade readers and enjoyably accessible to older readers, as well. Whether spoken aloud or read silently, the captivating writing will occasionally make readers laugh out loud at a well-placed joke or groan inwardly at the delivery of a bad pun.
A pictorial map at the beginning depicts one Oliver makes in the story and gives readers context about the land which is the focus of the book. Thorough descriptions of people and places make both come alive in the mind of the reader. Death and violence are intrinsic elements of this story, though readers are warned whenever a particularly grotesque scene is approaching.
Uniquely executed, The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children’s Books celebrates the importance of stories in a way that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages for years to come.
Breaking from many conventional storytelling techniques, this book shatters the fourth wall and often speaks directly to the reader. Surprising characters appear throughout the narrative, their presence explaining concepts like the narrator’s perspective and deus ex machina in delightfully comical ways. A story within a story in which a linear approach is not always suitable, readers will love the unpredictable plot twists that propel this story forward.
Short chapters filled with dialogue, direct narration, and comic relief make this book at once well suited to middle grade readers and enjoyably accessible to older readers, as well. Whether spoken aloud or read silently, the captivating writing will occasionally make readers laugh out loud at a well-placed joke or groan inwardly at the delivery of a bad pun.
A pictorial map at the beginning depicts one Oliver makes in the story and gives readers context about the land which is the focus of the book. Thorough descriptions of people and places make both come alive in the mind of the reader. Death and violence are intrinsic elements of this story, though readers are warned whenever a particularly grotesque scene is approaching.
Uniquely executed, The Thieving Collectors of Fine Children’s Books celebrates the importance of stories in a way that will be enjoyed by readers of all ages for years to come.
October 21, 2021
i read this like, two weeks ago and never updated it...but this was really good!
February 15, 2023
WOW!
Oliver Nelson is a thief. However, he only steals books from the library and he does have a criteria of only taking the oldest least desired ones. He's an outcast too, seeing as he doesn't have the latest VR technology that his classmates have.
Upon finding out that Oliver was the last person to read "The Timekeeper's Children", a pair of Boris and Natasha-campy book collectors, The Pribbles, force Oliver to recollect the book so that they can recreate the entire book for their own collection. They only give him 4 chances to succeed in completing the book.
What happens when Oliver is thrust into the book's story itself? Can he change it? What could go wrong? Will his limited chances run out? What will his dad say? What will the characters say? What will the person narrating this review say?
If you like stories like Neverending Story, Percy Jackson, or The Wishing Spell, but with double the action, peril, butt-kicking, heart and fun, read this book. If you like books about books, read this book. If you enjoy books with talking animals, magic, giants, electric-like eels, delicious evil villains, humor, and a mob of Unruly children, you'll love this book! If you want ideas for a D&D campaign, read this book.
The narration provided is fantastic for both cliff-hangers and wit, giving an almost Lemony Snicket style, but with more humor. The descriptions of settings and characters' physical appearance is left to the reader's imagination (aside from the Pribbles). The action sequences propel the story quickly and wonderfully.
If you work with any reader, (Library, Homeschool or Public), Ages 9-13 (or so), recommend this book. I'm sure the audiobook would propel the readers (I did read it in print). This is definitely becoming one of my back pocket suggestions to middle-grade readers.
As someone who works in a library, I have access to free books, let me just end with...this one is definitely going on my 'must-purchase' list.
Oliver Nelson is a thief. However, he only steals books from the library and he does have a criteria of only taking the oldest least desired ones. He's an outcast too, seeing as he doesn't have the latest VR technology that his classmates have.
Upon finding out that Oliver was the last person to read "The Timekeeper's Children", a pair of Boris and Natasha-campy book collectors, The Pribbles, force Oliver to recollect the book so that they can recreate the entire book for their own collection. They only give him 4 chances to succeed in completing the book.
What happens when Oliver is thrust into the book's story itself? Can he change it? What could go wrong? Will his limited chances run out? What will his dad say? What will the characters say? What will the person narrating this review say?
If you like stories like Neverending Story, Percy Jackson, or The Wishing Spell, but with double the action, peril, butt-kicking, heart and fun, read this book. If you like books about books, read this book. If you enjoy books with talking animals, magic, giants, electric-like eels, delicious evil villains, humor, and a mob of Unruly children, you'll love this book! If you want ideas for a D&D campaign, read this book.
The narration provided is fantastic for both cliff-hangers and wit, giving an almost Lemony Snicket style, but with more humor. The descriptions of settings and characters' physical appearance is left to the reader's imagination (aside from the Pribbles). The action sequences propel the story quickly and wonderfully.
If you work with any reader, (Library, Homeschool or Public), Ages 9-13 (or so), recommend this book. I'm sure the audiobook would propel the readers (I did read it in print). This is definitely becoming one of my back pocket suggestions to middle-grade readers.
As someone who works in a library, I have access to free books, let me just end with...this one is definitely going on my 'must-purchase' list.
February 17, 2021
This book grabbed me from the very first word and had me hooked through every mind-bending plot twist! The comparisons with Story Thieves and Ready Player One are apt, as it tells the story of a boy who through a pair of high-tech goggles is able to become a character in an out-of-print book that exists only in his mind, on the run from a pair of book collectors determined to add the story to their collection. The Thieving Collectors is a wonderfully unique, imaginative, and hilarious story!
September 18, 2020
Amazing book. Think READY PLAYER ONE meets ... well, any children’s fantasy book. A must-read.
June 5, 2021
I think I would have enjoyed this more at about 100 pages shorter. It was just a lot of let’s go here and get in trouble, now let’s walk here and find more trouble.
June 23, 2021
This was a thrilling adventure perfect for young readers ten and up. Being able to jump from book to book to book by simply getting book recommendations from the characters themselves feels like being in a private book club open only to the initiated. What could be better than that? What if you were the only one who could save a story and make it stop from disappearing? Would you steal a story like that? Would you become a book thief and secret it away? Is the story you read and the one that stays with you the same? Or does it even matter if you're the only thing that can make a difference. Stand up and fight or become just another oblivious bystander. Sometimes choices cost more than you realize but sometimes the rewards are astonishing.
Would definitely recommend for that child or adult that loves to submerge themselves into a book and not look up till they're done. Add it to the bookshelf.
Would definitely recommend for that child or adult that loves to submerge themselves into a book and not look up till they're done. Add it to the bookshelf.
July 10, 2021
This is a very fun and exciting book to read. I've been reading it to my kids, and they love the characters and the story. It's also a pleasure to read as an adult. I like to have some fun when I read out loud, so whether it's always saying "trademark" when discussing the CORTEXIA(TM), or realizing I'm narrating the narrator's speech, and figuring out how to distinguish the two, I've really enjoyed reading this book. Furthermore, the story is very unique and interesting, and keeps getting better as you reach the end. Your kids will love it, and I know you'll enjoy reading it too!
December 3, 2022
Didn't like it as much as I wanted to--it was very BUSY--but an interesting middle grade adventure.
May 7, 2021
Such a fun read! The most clever juvenile fiction book I have ever read. I absolutely adore this book.
January 5, 2025
Just overall really fun and witty!!! Took a lot of stereotype tropes and messed with them in a delightful way. 10/10 would read again.
April 20, 2021
So try to imagine a book within a game within a book.....and possibly all of that within a book. This was so clever and creative. My rating is based purely on my ability to try and stay caught up with what was happening. I’m a fan of any book that is about the value of books.
May 31, 2021
Unlike the rest of the students at Oliver Nelson's school he loves to read. The other children spend all there free time wearing their alternative reality goggles. These goggles have made Mr. and Mrs. Pribble very rich. Mr. Pribble is a book collector and he wants all the books. When he learns that Oliver was the last person to read the last known copy of The Timekeeper's Children he comes up with a plan to get the memory of the book from Oliver's mind. A new edition of alternative reality goggles is put on Oliver, much to his surprise. These goggles take Oliver into the story of Cora and Jack, the Timekeeper's children. As the story is revealed to Mr. Pribble it then disappears! Can Oliver, Cora, Jack and other fictional characters save the story so others can also read it or is the story going to only be in Mr. Pribble's own collection?
A fun fantasy/adventure story that readers will enjoy, especially if they have always wanted to be another character in the story they are reading!
A fun fantasy/adventure story that readers will enjoy, especially if they have always wanted to be another character in the story they are reading!
March 4, 2021
I received this e-ARC from Publisher’s Weekly and Little Bee Books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Oliver Nelson, age 10, lives with his dad (mom has passed on) in the not-so-distant future. His father works hard to make ends meet so there not much money left for fun. What Oliver does have is a love of reading and spends many hours at the local library reading books. He loves some books so much that he steals them, but only the old, falling-apart, pages missing, etc., books that no one will notice missing. While his classmates are immerged in the latest high-tech VR goggles, Oliver spends his bus ride reading. When Mrs. Fringlemeier, the town librarian, informs him that the library is closing for good, the guilt-ridden boy tries to return all the books he stole but he’s too late. The library has been bought by the Pribbles, the inventors of the aforementioned goggles, and who are now in possession of all the books, except the ones that Oliver tried to return as those, unfortunately, wound up being taken by the garbage truck. The Pribbles are looking for the only copy of a rare book, The Timekeeper’s Children, that Oliver had until the garbage truck incident. Now the only copy is in Oliver’s head and the Pribbles will do anything to get it. Using the goggles, the Pribbles go into the story in Oliver’s memory to extract the story and erase the plot from Oliver permanently.
This book is similar to The Story Thieves series, except that Oliver can’t get out until he reaches the end of the book. This will especially appeal to those who like the twist of a story-within-a-story. It is a quick read that will have the reader rooting for Oliver and against the Pribbles. I would recommend this title for grades 3 and up.
#TheThievingCollectorsOfFineChildrensBooks #LittleBeeBooks #PublishersWeekly
Oliver Nelson, age 10, lives with his dad (mom has passed on) in the not-so-distant future. His father works hard to make ends meet so there not much money left for fun. What Oliver does have is a love of reading and spends many hours at the local library reading books. He loves some books so much that he steals them, but only the old, falling-apart, pages missing, etc., books that no one will notice missing. While his classmates are immerged in the latest high-tech VR goggles, Oliver spends his bus ride reading. When Mrs. Fringlemeier, the town librarian, informs him that the library is closing for good, the guilt-ridden boy tries to return all the books he stole but he’s too late. The library has been bought by the Pribbles, the inventors of the aforementioned goggles, and who are now in possession of all the books, except the ones that Oliver tried to return as those, unfortunately, wound up being taken by the garbage truck. The Pribbles are looking for the only copy of a rare book, The Timekeeper’s Children, that Oliver had until the garbage truck incident. Now the only copy is in Oliver’s head and the Pribbles will do anything to get it. Using the goggles, the Pribbles go into the story in Oliver’s memory to extract the story and erase the plot from Oliver permanently.
This book is similar to The Story Thieves series, except that Oliver can’t get out until he reaches the end of the book. This will especially appeal to those who like the twist of a story-within-a-story. It is a quick read that will have the reader rooting for Oliver and against the Pribbles. I would recommend this title for grades 3 and up.
#TheThievingCollectorsOfFineChildrensBooks #LittleBeeBooks #PublishersWeekly
April 9, 2021
In a world where libraries are devoid of patrons and kids are obsessed with Alternate Reality goggles invented by the Pribbles, Oliver feels alone in his love of books. He steals them from the library, but he follows a strict code: the book must be old, musty, or incomplete. When the Pribbles come looking for one of his favorites, The Timekeeper's Children, Oliver knows he's in trouble. Will the Pribbles succeed in their plan to steal the story straight from Oliver's head?
Lemony Snicket meets Ready Player One in this fun, adventurous romp that is sure to please anyone who loves getting lost in a good book!
Lemony Snicket meets Ready Player One in this fun, adventurous romp that is sure to please anyone who loves getting lost in a good book!
February 20, 2022
I liked it.
April 22, 2021
Imagine, if you will, if The Neverending Story were penned by Lemony Snicket. This is the often dark and exceptionally cheeky vibe of Adam Perry's wonderfully creative novel about what it really means to Get Lost In A Book.
Oliver lives in a world where everyone is plugged into their virtual reality devices. But Oliver prefers small, rectangular objects called books, which require a little effort on his part and make no beep-beep-beeps (Forgive me, but I've been waiting ages to use that quote! And finally, opportunity arose so I went with it). Besides, Oliver, who lives with his out-of-work father (his mom is dead), is dirt poor and he couldn't afford a device even if he wanted one. Which he doesn't. Let me make that clear. Kiddo has no interest in the latest technology.
I like this kid! He hasn't been brainwashed and turned into a zombie by The Man.
So let's recap: Poor hero with a dead parent who is considered a misfit and a weirdo even by the town librarian... Sounds like the setup for a Disney cartoon. And it would be, if not for all the . But I really shouldn't give too much away. Spoiling awesome stories isn't exactly kosher.
But Oliver doesn't care what people think of him. He's happy to live in his world of stories, reading and re-reading. And stealing his favorites, of course. Wait... I didn't mention that earlier? Sorry. But I'll say it now: Oliver is a kleptomaniac. But only when it coms to books he likes. And only if he truly believes no one will miss the stolen books.
And no one HAS missed them.. YET!
But Oliver's luck runs out when he is kidnapped by some truly diabolical people who wish to steal the only existing copy of Oliver's favorite book right out of Oliver's head! Now Oliver must experience the story and all its dangers in virtual reality format. If he makes it to the end alive, he will be free to go. If not... well, let's not go there.
This story was lots of fun and I highly recommend it.
Oliver lives in a world where everyone is plugged into their virtual reality devices. But Oliver prefers small, rectangular objects called books, which require a little effort on his part and make no beep-beep-beeps (Forgive me, but I've been waiting ages to use that quote! And finally, opportunity arose so I went with it). Besides, Oliver, who lives with his out-of-work father (his mom is dead), is dirt poor and he couldn't afford a device even if he wanted one. Which he doesn't. Let me make that clear. Kiddo has no interest in the latest technology.
I like this kid! He hasn't been brainwashed and turned into a zombie by The Man.
So let's recap: Poor hero with a dead parent who is considered a misfit and a weirdo even by the town librarian... Sounds like the setup for a Disney cartoon. And it would be, if not for all the . But I really shouldn't give too much away. Spoiling awesome stories isn't exactly kosher.
But Oliver doesn't care what people think of him. He's happy to live in his world of stories, reading and re-reading. And stealing his favorites, of course. Wait... I didn't mention that earlier? Sorry. But I'll say it now: Oliver is a kleptomaniac. But only when it coms to books he likes. And only if he truly believes no one will miss the stolen books.
And no one HAS missed them.. YET!
But Oliver's luck runs out when he is kidnapped by some truly diabolical people who wish to steal the only existing copy of Oliver's favorite book right out of Oliver's head! Now Oliver must experience the story and all its dangers in virtual reality format. If he makes it to the end alive, he will be free to go. If not... well, let's not go there.
This story was lots of fun and I highly recommend it.
August 24, 2021
What I loved: The majority of the story takes place within a book that exists mainly in Oliver Nelson's mind. Oliver has taken solace in books in a world where no one reads anymore, and everyone is engaged in using alternate reality eyewear created by the Pribbles. As a result of Oliver being one of the few children left who read, he has drawn the attention of the Pribble's, a couple who are Story Collectors but believe that no child should ever lay their grubby, dirty hands on the books. They believe this so much they developed a machine that eats the stories and wipes them from your mind.
What left me wanting more: Oliver has stolen books from the library, but he always takes ones that are less well-loved and that no one really would wish to, but that leaves him sometimes, like in the case of this book not know how the book ends cause the pages are missing. The missing pages leave us guessing how the book is supposed to end, and we wanted to learn more about what Oliver's imagination can cook up to save the day. I would like to see more of how the Pribble's changed once they realized the error of their ways at the end of the book.
Final Verdict: The thieving collectors of fine children's book contains all the correct elements for a fantastic middle-grade novel. The characters are all well developed and thought out. The villains are cruel and mean but get their just deserts and a chance to redeem themselves. Oliver learns that his imagination can help in a pinch, and the author shines in the uniqueness of the various characters sprinkled throughout the story.
What left me wanting more: Oliver has stolen books from the library, but he always takes ones that are less well-loved and that no one really would wish to, but that leaves him sometimes, like in the case of this book not know how the book ends cause the pages are missing. The missing pages leave us guessing how the book is supposed to end, and we wanted to learn more about what Oliver's imagination can cook up to save the day. I would like to see more of how the Pribble's changed once they realized the error of their ways at the end of the book.
Final Verdict: The thieving collectors of fine children's book contains all the correct elements for a fantastic middle-grade novel. The characters are all well developed and thought out. The villains are cruel and mean but get their just deserts and a chance to redeem themselves. Oliver learns that his imagination can help in a pinch, and the author shines in the uniqueness of the various characters sprinkled throughout the story.
December 16, 2023
Unlike most kids his age, Oliver loves to read. He loves reading so much that he has taken home some of his favorite library books, including The Timekeeper's Children, which is missing its final chapter. When the Pribbles, who are the founders of a mopany that sells virtual reality goggles, shut down the library and Oliver loses his copy of The Timekeeper's children, he feels like all is lost... and he only feels worse when the Pribbles invite him to their mansion so they can steal the copy of the book from his mind! Oliver decides that he has to stop them, and with the help of the characters in the story, as well as his own imagination, he just might be able to do it.
This book was so imaginative and had some extremely great characters! I couldn't put it down until I finished it; it was so good! If you have a young fantasy lover in your life, you should 100% give them this book; they will love it!
This book was so imaginative and had some extremely great characters! I couldn't put it down until I finished it; it was so good! If you have a young fantasy lover in your life, you should 100% give them this book; they will love it!
March 11, 2023
Oliver might be the last child alive who prefers to read over playing virtual reality games, which is why he has the most active imagination of anyone. Unfortunately, this means that the biggest game designers in the land turn to him when they've run out of ideas, and instead of negotiating for a story, they attempt to yoink it right out of Oliver's head. They send him into a digitized world populated by Oliver's own imagination, and he must reach the climax and resolution before time runs out or he'll risk losing his favorite story forever.
I love the way this book combines virtual reality with the magic of questing and imagination. It was pretty grim at times, and despite the action, it felt a touch slow. There wasn't anything that reached me deeply, although I admit I'll be pondering the value of stories for a while yet.
I love the way this book combines virtual reality with the magic of questing and imagination. It was pretty grim at times, and despite the action, it felt a touch slow. There wasn't anything that reached me deeply, although I admit I'll be pondering the value of stories for a while yet.
August 9, 2022
This book is so meta. It's a book about the power of books and story. It's about the role of the author and the narrator (aka Nasty Rodent Eater). It's about the imagination. And all of that is the story in the book in the book in the imagination of the main character. Very fun. I dare say, rollicking.
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