Shadow Thieves - Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls

Paperback

** SHADOW THIEVES (published as SCHOOL FOR THIEVES in the US) is the OVERALL WINNER of the Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Prize 2026!**

“Top marks” Observer

“Full of heart-pounding action" A.F. STEADMAN

“The real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!

Dare you step into the shadows once again?

Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island – as well as a terrifying weapon.

Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything?

Trust no one. This is not a game.

⚡️⛵️⚡️⚜️⚡️🧨⚡️

“Top marks” Observer

"Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG

Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing and action packed plotting” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

RRP: £7.99

Imprint

Farshore

ISBN

978-0-00-866784-9

Publication Date

04-06-2026

Format

Paperback

Pages

352 pages

Dimensions

129x198mm

Product Description

** SHADOW THIEVES (published as SCHOOL FOR THIEVES in the US) is the OVERALL WINNER of the Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Prize 2026!**

“Top marks” Observer

“Full of heart-pounding action" A.F. STEADMAN

“The real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!

Dare you step into the shadows once again?

Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island – as well as a terrifying weapon.

Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything?

Trust no one. This is not a game.

⚡️⛵️⚡️⚜️⚡️🧨⚡️

“Top marks” Observer

"Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG

Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing and action packed plotting” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

Author

Peter Burns

Peter Burnsis the author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards, including 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, soShadow Thievesis a dream come true.

Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a Masters 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?

Imprint

Farshore

ISBN

978-0-00-866784-9

Publication Date

04-06-2026

Format

Paperback

Pages

352 pages

Dimensions

129x198mm

Product Description

** SHADOW THIEVES (published as SCHOOL FOR THIEVES in the US) is the OVERALL WINNER of the Barnes & Noble Children’s and YA Book Prize 2026!**

“Top marks” Observer

“Full of heart-pounding action" A.F. STEADMAN

“The real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

SKANDAR MEETS OLIVER TWIST IN THIS BLOCKBUSTING MIDDLE-GRADE ADVENTURE SERIES – PERFECT FOR FANS OF PERCY JACKSON!

Dare you step into the shadows once again?

Tom and his new friends from Beaufort’s School for Deceptive Arts are taken on a treasure-hunting trip to a private island in the Mediterranean once owned by the great villain himself, the Duke of Nimes. The Duke is said to have hidden a spectacular treasure in the warrens, tunnels and caves that pepper the island – as well as a terrifying weapon.

Will Tom’s street-smarts keep him and his friends alive as they chase down the treasure? And who are the deadly double agents that are sabotaging everything?

Trust no one. This is not a game.

⚡️⛵️⚡️⚜️⚡️🧨⚡️

“Top marks” Observer

"Utterly fabulous” ALEXANDER ARMSTRONG

Shadow Thieves is the real thing” MICHAEL GRANT

“A thrilling read!” JONATHAN STROUD

“Propulsive pacing and action packed plotting” Publishers’ Weekly starred review

Author

Peter Burns

Peter Burnsis the author of ten critically acclaimed non-fiction sports books and has been nominated for numerous awards, including 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, soShadow Thievesis a dream come true.

Peter studied English at the University of St Andrews before gaining a Masters 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?