100,000+ Books, Games & Puzzles in-stock 🇳🇿

Auckland Bookstore open Saturday & Sunday 🎉 Don't forget Father's Day is next weekend 📅

Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls

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 3rd September 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

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+!

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! 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
  • Shadow Thieves: Island of Skulls
    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 3 Sep 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
    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
    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
  • Buy to Win
    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 Monday
  • Cass and the Beast
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Cass and the Beast
    A sweeping and original picture book about a girl who chooses not to be afraid, a modern-day heroine in a story we feel in our bones like an ancient folktale. When a fearful beast arrives in the township, Cass finds her courage and is rewarded with a wild and magical journey. The creature takes her on a thundering ride through...
    By Claire Mabey
    Hardback
    $2399
    Elsewhere:
    $2999
    Backorder
    Ships late September
  • New Release
    The Case of the Viral Video: Violet and the Velvets 3
    Violet and the Velvets can hardly believe they've come so far in the BandChamps competition with only hard work, a smidge of talent, and a whole lot of thinking outside the box. This time, they get to record their new song in a proper recording studio and star in their very own music video! But Violet is letting her perfectionism...
    By Rachael King
    Paperback
    $1600
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Royalslinger
    K Pop Demon Hunters fans will love this! Graci Kim is back with the second book in her exciting and fantastical Slinger series where dragons and phoenixes roam the skies of Seoul; meals magically appear based on your mood; and dreams literally come to life. Praise for Dreamslinger: “A mind-blowingly original fantasy adventure—Graci Kim has done it again!”—Rick Riordan, New York Times #1...
    By Graci Kim
    Paperback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2400
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Roopa's Pick Roopa's Pick
    Detective Beans and the Map of Mystery
    Enjoy this new DETECTIVE BEANS adventure in the bestselling and award-winning graphic novel series by Li Chen! Your favourite kitten detective is back with a new mystery to solve . . . and treasure to find! When Captain Scuttlebeard gives Beans a treasure map, Beans is determined to find the prize at the end. The clues take him all over...
    By Li Chen
    Paperback
    $1900
    Elsewhere:
    $2200
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Mei Mei the Bunny Mei Mei the Bunny
    New Release
    Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    Mei Mei the Bunny
    Mei Mei the Bunny is Laufey's picture book debut about a bunny learning to believe in herself through music. Experience a heartwarming tale of self-belief in this enchanting picture book by GRAMMY Award-winning musician Laufey. Meet Mei Mei, a little bunny with a big dream—to spread joy through her music! As her debut recital at the H'Opera House draws near,...
    By Laufey
    Hardback
    $3199
    Elsewhere:
    $3800
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    Hunted: Wolf Girl 15
    Just when Wolf Girl is finally reunited with her father, he is torn away from her once more, and Gwen vows to stop at nothing to track him down. But danger is closing in: a giant snow leopard and a mysterious hooded figure are hot on their trail. As Gwen and the pack race through deep caverns to snowy peaks,...
    By Anh Do
    Paperback
    $1699
    Elsewhere:
    $1899
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • New Release
    What If You Could
    From the former prime minister of New Zealand comes a guide for teens on chasing your dreams and embracing the unexpected qualities that truly make a person strong. When Jacinda Ardern became prime minister of New Zealand, she was one of the youngest people in the world leading a country. Many people thought she would never succeed — herself included....
    By Jacinda Ardern
    Paperback
    $2599
    Elsewhere:
    $3000
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Lonasei and the Mystery of Origin Grove
    Eleven-year-old Lonasei is lonely — she wishes her older sister Eva Grace wasn't so mean, and that her mum Aria didn't have to work so much. But when Aria inherits her childhood home, Lonasei discovers she can enter her late Aunt Malia's paintings and experience the memories within. Through them, she discovers that her mother had another sister, Agnes, who went...
    By Kenneth Chapman
    Paperback
    $2199
    Elsewhere:
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Dawn Raid: The Apology
    This sequel to Dawn Raid follows Sofia Savea’s family, 50 years later, as Sofia's grandson becomes involved in the quest for a government apology. INVERCARGILL, 2020 Wow, I thought I knew a bit about the dawn raids, but this is HUGE. It happened to my OWN family and I never knew! I had no idea that Granfia and her family...
    By Pauline Vaeluaga Smith
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2099
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Big Bang Bread
    New Release
    Big Bang Bread
    In this time-travel storybook and cookbook with a cosmic twist, take a journey through time and space to discover the secrets of baking! Did you know that bread is made from stardust? Board the rocket and blast off on an adventure through time and space to discover the secrets of a home-baked loaf! Big Bang Bread is a kids' time-travel...
    By Lily Uivel
    Paperback
    $1800
    Elsewhere:
    $2100
    In Stock
    Ships Monday
  • Lizzy's Pick Lizzy's Pick
    B is for Bird
    From award-winning artist, Lily Emo, comes a beautiful celebration of birds. Paired with a fun rhyming story, gorgeous illustrations, and fold-out pages, this book is set to be a favourite for everyone and the perfect gift. Make your way through the alphabet with this stunning book featuring a cast of familiar birds. From albatross to fantails, gannets to quail, and...
    By Lily Emo
    Hardback
    $1999
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    (1)
    In Stock
    Ships Monday

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

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

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.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.

The Latest at Book Hero

View all