Loot and Sting by Jude Watson

Loot and Sting are light-hearted “heist” novels for middle grades.

Loot and Sting by Jude Watson. Scholastic, 2015 (Loot) and 2017 (Sting). 272 pages (both).

Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

Recommended For: Middle Grades, ages 10-12

March has been well educated by his father; he knows how to pick locks, dodge and evade capture, lift certain desirable objects, and virtually disappear, if he needs to. Reading and writing and ‘rithmetic weren’t at the top of their homeschooling list. When March’s father unspeakably falls to his death, his dying words to March are to “find jewels.” March tries to follow his father’s wishes (and clues), but to his bewilderment, “jewels” really means “Jules”… a sister! In a plot that will stretch the reader’s belief, the reunited twins manage to save the day (and steal some moonstones).

Sting, book 2, continues the over-the-top action as March and Jules attempt to reunite three fabled stones (including stealing them from various sources). They’re facing off against ruthless adult criminals, and the odds are stacked against them. Can they succeed? Will they survive?

The Loot books are short, quick reads that most middle grade students could plow through in an afternoon. Character development is minimal; the emphasis is on the plot and shenanigans. No one in these books is an admirable character in the sense that they are law-abiding citizens, but that’s not really the point. Do note the considerations below, though.

Considerations:

• One character is apparently homosexual, but this is referenced exactly one time in each book. Other than the one comment (“girls aren’t my thing” in Loot, and a mom asking the son if he’s having boyfriend troubles in Sting), there is no indication of it.
• Obviously, in a book about thieves and heists, there will be lying. It’s in the spirt of good clean fun most of the time, and the kid thieves have a particularly strong brand of honesty with one another (honor among thieves, as it were).
• At the very beginning of Loot, March’s father falls to his death. It’s a bit grisly, but the plot moves on quickly.
• There’s a curse at the beginning of Loot, and the plot revolves around “magical” moonstones.

Overall Rating: 3 out of 5

• Worldview/Moral Rating: 2.75 out of 5
• Literary/Artistic Rating: 3.25 out of 5

Read more about our ratings here.

Related Reading From Redeemed Reader

• A Review: The Great Greene Heist by Varian Johnson is another light-hearted “heist” novel for middle grades.
• A Resource: Check out our giant Mystery Book List for teens and tweens.
• A Resource: Browse all our books tagged “Mystery” to find mystery books for all ages.

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