Atticus Claw Breaks the Law (Atticus Claw Series #1)

by Jennifer Gray

Overview

When Atticus receives a mysterious message asking him to a meeting in a sleepy coastal town, he packs his bags and sets off. The world's greatest cat burglar likes a good mystery and this time curiosity has got the better of him. The writer of the message, it turns out, is none other than Jimmy the Magpie, gang leader. He wants Atticus to steal all the jewels in town and leave the humans baffled. And what could be more straightforward? But when Atticus moves in with Inspector Cheddar and his family, he starts to wonder if a life of crime is really for him . . .

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780571284498
Publisher:	Faber and Faber
Publication date:	07/12/2016
Series:	Atticus Claw Series , #1
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	4.90(w) x 7.70(h) x 0.70(d)
Age Range:	7 - 9 Years

About the Author

Jennifer Gray has been writing children's comedy for a couple of years. A former lawyer, she knows how to spot a cat burglar when she sees one, especially when he's a large tabby with a chewed ear and a handkerchief round his neck that says Atticus Claw. Jennifer's other books for children include Guinea Pigs On Line, co-written with Amanda Swift and published by Quercus. Jennifer lives in London and Scotland with her husband and four children, and of course Henry, a friendly but enigmatic cat.

Editorial Reviews

06/13/2016
In this series opener, Gray introduces Atticus Grammaticus Cattypus Claw, “the world’s greatest cat burglar” (and an actual cat), sending him to the town of Littleton-on-Sea, where he has been hired by a gang of magpies upset about the recurring car-related deaths of their brethren. Employed to steal the valuables of the humans in town, Atticus quickly gets himself adopted by Michael and Callie Cheddar, whose father happens to be the town’s police inspector. “He would commit lots and lots of burglaries so Inspector Cheddar had plenty of crimes to investigate,” Atticus thinks to himself. “It was the least he could do.” Gray juggles exaggerated characterizations (including the bullying magpies and a snooty, hapless wealthy couple) with an assortment of ethnical dilemmas to deliver a funny, twisty escapade. Ages 7–9. (July)

Publishers Weekly

'Readers who love animals, especially cats, will be purring throughout. A purrfect caper for a not-too-criminal kitty.' Kirkus Reviews

'Young readers will adore Atticus' Independent

'I really enjoyed reading Atticus Claw. I like the idea that animals make plans together but I was glad Atticus was one of the good guys in the end. I would like to read more stories about Atticus Claw!' Shannon, aged 9 Scholastic Bookclub 12/4/12

'This new book about a cat burglar is really worth a read ... Great read!' ABC Magazine

From the Publisher

2016-04-13
A real cat burglar—literally—stars in this British import.A mysterious job offer takes Atticus, a brown tabby cat with a talent for theft, to an English seaside town. There, he learns that some crafty magpies want to hire him to steal all the town's jewelry. Magpies being notoriously deceitful, Atticus is suspicious, but the promise of sardines as payment wins him over. In Littleton-on-Sea, not a notably diverse town, he finds a home with the family of a police detective, the Cheddars, and gets to burgling. The more he steals, the more the family's dad gets to work, so Atticus thinks he's doing the Cheddars a favor. However, when Inspector Cheddar gets in trouble because he can't solve the recent crime wave, Atticus decides to turn the tables on the magpies. Meanwhile the Cheddar children begin to notice some interesting things about Atticus. Can they convince their dad when they tell him who's behind the burglaries? And can they do it before the magpies raid the local fair? Gray endows Atticus with such a confident personality that readers will be sure he'll solve everything, but she includes some nice suspense later in the story when things go drastically wrong. Kids who like a bit of light crime fiction will certainly enjoy it, but readers who love animals, especially cats, will be purring throughout.A purrfect caper for a not-too-criminal kitty. (Fantasy/mystery. 7-9)

Kirkus Reviews