Pre-order

Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls

Name: Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls
Brand: Gardners Books Ltd
SKU: 9780008667849
Price: 19.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

By Peter Burns

Series: Shadow Thieves

0.0 (0 reviews)

Brief 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... Read More

Format: Paperback / softback

$19⁹⁹

Pre-order

Releases 13^th October 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order "Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

Found a better price? Request a price match

Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls

$19⁹⁹

NEW ZEALAND 22 Sep 2026

Nicky Hager publishers new book on the Tax Payers Union

Nicky Hager has launched a new book tonight - and Book Hero will be shipping...

AMELIA'S CORNER 22 Sep 2026

What Actually Makes a Party Game a Party Game?

From clever clues and sneaky bluffing to trivia, creativity and complete chaos, party games come...

BIOGRAPHY 21 Sep 2026

Review of Home Again by Jon Toogood

When it was revealed that Jon Toogood was to release a memoir I pretty much jumped out...

BOARD GAME 18 Sep 2026

What I Read (and Played) in Bali

I always read more when I travel. There’s the flight over, the hotel breakfast where...

A Seven Sharp Visit and a Huge Thank You!

It's been a busy last week at Rawiri Place before our big move, with a...

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

The second book in the prize-winning middle-grade action adventure thriller series from a New York Times best-selling author, new for 2026 and perfect for kids aged 10+!

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

Series: Shadow Thieves

View all

Shadow Thieves

Skandar meets Oliver Twist in this blockbusting new middle grade adventure series – perfect for fans of Percy Jackson! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ “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 13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of...

By Peter Burns

Paperback

$17⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$19⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
Pre-order

Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls

** 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...

By Peter Burns

Paperback

$19⁹⁹

Pre-order
Out 13 Oct 2026

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780008667849

Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 04 June 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Farshore

Audience: Children, Teenage

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 26.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 198.0mm

Weight: 240g

Pages: 352

Collections

Children's Books Children's Fiction Children’s, Teenage and Educational Kids & YA Pre-orders Peter Burns Pre-order Books Pre-Order Children's Books Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Series: Shadow Thieves Young Adult

About the Author

Peter Burns is 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, so Shadow Thieves is 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?

Also by Peter Burns

View all

Shadow Thieves

Skandar meets Oliver Twist in this blockbusting new middle grade adventure series – perfect for fans of Percy Jackson! ⚡️⚡️⚡️ “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 13-year-old Tom Morgan and his friends live on the streets of...

By Peter Burns

Paperback

$17⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$19⁹⁹~~

Available
Ships in 4-6 weeks
This is Your Everest

Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year 'Magnificent' Owen Slot, The Times The 1997 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa is one of the most iconic in rugby history. Written off at home and abroad, Martin Johnson's men were given no hope of success against the world champion Springboks in their own backyard. But a...

By Tom English and Peter Burns

Paperback

Sold Out
When Lions Roared

By 1971, no Lions team had ever defeated the All Blacks in a Test series. Since 1904, six Lions sides had travelled to New Zealand, and all had returned home bruised, battered, and beaten. But the 1971 tour party was different. It was full of young, ambitious, and outrageously talented players who would all go on to carve their names...

By Tom English and Peter Burns

Paperback

Sold Out
The Men in the Arena

From 1997 to 2003, England and Australia battled for domination of the rugby world in one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known. In The Men in the Arena, William Hill shortlisted authors Peter Burns and Tom English explore every aspect of the teams' journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story primarily in the...

By Tom English and Peter Burns

Hardback

Sold Out
This is Your Everest

'A rollicking read and a mighty achievement' - Donald McRae, The Guardian The 1997 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa is one of the most iconic in rugby history. Written off at home and abroad, Martin Johnson's men were given no hope of success against the world champion Springboks in their own backyard. But a combination of brilliant...

By Tom English and Peter Burns

Hardback

Sold Out
Behind the Thistle

Featuring the thoughts of more than 180 players who have represented Scotland since the very first Test match in 1871 all the way through to the present day, Behind the Thistle gives a unique insight into the drama and emotion of playing for Scotland in that most rarefied of environments: Test match rugby. In this exhaustively researched tome, David Barnes...

By Peter Burns and David Barnes

Paperback

Sold Out

More from Children's Books

View all

New Release

The Case of the Tall Stranger: Violet and the Velvets 4

But disaster strikes when guitarist Jack breaks his wrist and can no longer play. On top of that, all their hard work fundraising has fallen short! When help comes from unexpected channels, the Velvets make it to the Big Apple just in time to compete against the best kid bands in the whole world, including their new rivals the Blazer...

By Rachael King

Paperback

$16⁰⁰
Elsewhere:
~~$18⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
Gruffalo Granny

The brand new Gruffalo picture book from Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler. The Gruffalo said to his daughter one day, "Your Gruffalo Granny is coming to stay." Return to the deep dark wood with the first new Gruffalo story in over 20 years, and meet Gruffalo Granny as she visits the Gruffalo family. This fresh and exciting new Gruffalo adventure...

By Julia Donaldson

Hardback

$24⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$30⁰⁰~~

Backorder
Ships early October
New Release

The Comeback Kid

Charlie Boy might be just an ordinary kid, but he's about to get into some EXTRA-ordinary trouble... Get ready for this funny, fast-paced, friendship adventure with lots of kick. Meet Charlie Boy: skinny, small, looks like a strand of spaghetti. He and his best friend, Rocky the Lower Hutt Chief, are good at getting into trouble together. But when Charlie...

By Airana Ngarewa

Paperback

$17⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$19⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

The Neverfear

A world of richly-imagined wonder Cressida Cowell It’s the Midsummer Feast on the Islet of Glimt and on this magical moonlit evening, the word on everyone’s lips is bandits. Reports of masked men burning villages are spreading throughout the Archipelago, but worse is still to come: Christopher and Anya are ambushed and one of the people they love most is...

By Katherine Rundell

Paperback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$22⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Pocket Observology

Pocket Observology is a practical field guide designed for those who love to explore and understand the natural world around them. Slip this guide out of your pocket to identify, measure, compare, or find clues to the things you encounter every day in nature. This pocket guide is a useful tool and a fun reminder of how to engage with...

By Giselle Clarkson

Paperback

$23⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$27⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Minecraft Annual 2027

The official Minecraft Annual 2027, full of updates, builds, activities, and more! Discover all there is to know about the past year of Minecraft in this exciting annual. Stuffed to the brim with updates, activities, step-by-step builds, and tips and tricks for the game, this book is a must-have for any minecrafter. This year’s annual includes: Mob guides on happy...

By Mojang AB

Hardback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Giant Heart

Meet Jonah Lomu, one of the greatest All Blacks of all time. His speed and strength on the rugby field made him famous around the world, and his fun and generous personality made him beloved, but all the while he faced a big battle with his health. “[David Hill’s] stories are wonderful, full of action and are always teaching the...

By David Hill

Hardback

$19⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$25⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Ms Rachel: My First Little Library

Learn about colours, animals, words and numbers with Ms Rachel in this early learning boxset. This little set contains four board books that help introduce children to early concepts. Perfect for younger readers, each chunky book will keep little hands occupied at home, or on the move. And, once you’re done reading (and re-reading), the four books come together to...

By Ms Rachel

Board book

$15⁹⁹

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Lizzy's Pick

Protector of Beyond 1

Experience fierce magical creatures, perilous trials, and a heroine to root for in this 1st instalment in a new blockbuster fantasy series. The moment you enter the Arbiter, your fate is sealed. If you spark, you fight! And 12-year-old Elder Triss produces a spark like no other. Transported to the mysterious Beyond, Elder has no choice but to train for...

By Shara Curlett

Paperback

$21⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$24⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

Animalia 40th Anniversary Edition

A beautiful, foiled collector's edition to celebrate the 40th anniversary of Graeme Base's classic and bestselling Australian picture book, Animalia. Embark on a fantastical alphabetic adventure where each turn of the page unveils a rich tapestry of intricate illustrations tied to a unique letter of the alphabet. More than 5 million copies sold worldwide Children's Book Council of Australia (CBCA)...

By Graeme Base

Hardback

$29⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$35⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

The Little Kiwi Builder

Oh no, the little kiwi builder's house is falling down! His screws have all come loose - what can he do? When the brickie, the plumber, the roofer, the sparky and the painter all come to help, it's looking good! Until, that night ... uh-oh! Perfect for: Anyone who likes fun and silly rhyming stories Reading aloud with little ones...

By Tim Saunders

Paperback

$18⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$21⁹⁹~~

In Stock
Ships today
New Release

You Choose Party Time

It's time to celebrate - Party Time is a brand new You Choose adventure! It's Party Time and you choose what happens! What kind of party will it be? Who will you invite? Which cake would you like to eat? Will you dance to a steel pan band or bagpipes? The possibilities are endless in this magical storytelling toolkit which...

By Pippa Goodhart

Hardback

$25⁹⁹
Elsewhere:
~~$34⁰⁰~~

In Stock
Ships today

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 100,000 books, toys, board games and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.