{"title":"Sarah Luke","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to the delightful world of Sarah Luke, a talented author who specialises in creating engaging children's books. Her stories are not only entertaining but also infused with valuable lessons and imaginative adventures, making them perfect for young readers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong her enchanting collection, you'll find \u003cem\u003eMarion and the Forty Thieves\u003c\/em\u003e, a captivating tale that promises to keep children glued to its pages. Sarah Luke's ability to weave magic into her narratives makes her books beloved by both children and parents alike. Each story offers a perfect blend of adventure and moral lessons, wrapped up in delightful storytelling.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are looking to inspire a love for reading in a child or seeking engaging literature that stirs imagination, Sarah Luke's books are an ideal choice. Dive into her collection and let the adventures begin!\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"marion-and-the-forty-thieves-by-sarah-luke-9781922507679","title":"Marion and the Forty Thieves","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eA smirking boy shuffled past the door, and Marion, hands shaking, quickly turned the key in the lock. It was Cotterson, the boy from Sewers Canal who wanted to burn the Sobraon. Her heart jolted.\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe barge had delivered the Forty Thieves onto the ship!\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarion's life is anything but ordinary. The daughter of the principal, Captain Neitenstein, she is the only girl aboard a magnificent floating boys' school, anchored permanently in Sydney Harbour in the late 1800s. Her best friend has boarded a steamship to France and now it's just her and this ship full of ragtag schoolboys.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOne night, Marion discovers that a new student, Alexander Walker, is escaping the ship to meet up with his vicious gang, the Forty Thieves. Marion bravely follows Walker into the frightening Rocks neighbourhood to investigate... What are the Forty Thieves up to, and will Marion be able to stop them before it's too late?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBased on the real-life Marion Neitenstein, this middle-grade 'faction' offers an immersive and historically accurate experience of an unusual nineteenth-century institution for neglected boys. Marion's middle-class life is contrasted with Sydney slum life and wharf culture. Other important real characters appear, including businessman Quong Tart and the head of the Forty Thieves gang Joseph Bragg.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe author used primary sources to research the story, such as old gaol inmate records and even Quong Tart's original menus. The endmatter delves into these sources, covering topics such as the Nautical school-ships Vernon and Sobraon and their captains, the Rocks, Quong Tart, and more. The text is accompanied by real photographs from the ship, portraits of three Sobraon boys from the admissions book, and images of Sydney street scenes from the period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46995711099116,"sku":"9781922507679","price":22.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/13487913482872.jpg?v=1763118381"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.co.nz\/collections\/sarah-luke.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}