Series: none
Hardcover, 381 pages
Published August 1st 2011 by Amulet Books
Age Recommendation: Middle Grade
Summary (from Goodreads):
“Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves. As you can well imagine, blind children have incredible senses of smell, and they can tell what lies behind a locked door—be it fine cloth, gold, or peanut brittle—at fifty paces. Moreover, their fingers are so small and nimble that they can slip right through keyholes, and their ears so keen that they can hear the faint clicks and clacks of every moving part inside even the most complicated lock. Of course, the age of great thievery has long since passed; today there are few child-thieves left, blind or otherwise.
At one time, however, the world was simply thick with them. This is the story of the greatest thief who ever lived. His name, as you’ve probably guessed, is Peter Nimble.”
“Now, for those of you who know anything about blind children, you are aware that they make the very best thieves. As you can well imagine, blind children have incredible senses of smell, and they can tell what lies behind a locked door—be it fine cloth, gold, or peanut brittle—at fifty paces. Moreover, their fingers are so small and nimble that they can slip right through keyholes, and their ears so keen that they can hear the faint clicks and clacks of every moving part inside even the most complicated lock. Of course, the age of great thievery has long since passed; today there are few child-thieves left, blind or otherwise.
At one time, however, the world was simply thick with them. This is the story of the greatest thief who ever lived. His name, as you’ve probably guessed, is Peter Nimble.”
Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes was very whimsical; it was the type of book you need a certain mindset to read, but if you can channel your inner child, is so much fun and so rewarding. Peter Nimble felt like a "classic" children's tale. It seemed almost Alice-esque, but with hints of other of my favorite MG and kid's books, like Cornelia Funke's stories, The Phantom Tollbooth, and even a bit of The False Prince. Some parts of the story seemed obviously written for a younger audience (like the prophecy, which would have been a big reveal if I hadn't guessed it the first time I read it) but I enjoyed it very much all the same.
Overall, Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes was an unusual and original story with will delight early middle graders. I can easily see it as a great read-aloud book as it is perfect for all those young at heart.
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