Master Crook's Crime Academy #1: Burglary for Beginners Award-winning author by Terry Deary (author)

Author/Illustrator

Terry Deary

Terry Deary was born in Sunderland in 1946 and currently lives in County Durham. Terry is a former actor, theatre-director and Drama teacher. He spends his time writing and directing for his television production company, managing his website, terry-deary.com, and touring his Horrible Histories exhibition. Terry is the author of 116 books in the UK and over 250 more worldwide, mainly for children and teenagers, including the popular non-fiction series Horrible Histories. Horrible Histories were launched in 1993 and are now sold in 28 languages from Russia to Brazil, Scandinavia to China.

In 2003, Horrible Histories celebrates its 10th Anniversary!

In 1996 Terry was the best selling British children’s author with 5 of his books in the top ten best-sellers of the year (Waterstones Book Shop tables). In August 1997 he was still leading the way with thirteen titles in the top forty. (Bookseller listings). In 1999, The Daily Telegraph recorded that he outsold Enid Blyton by four to one and a Libraries survey made him the most-borrowed author of non-fiction in Britain – adult and children’s books. Terry currently holds 8 out of the 10 slots for ‘Most Borrowed Children’s Non-Fiction’ authors in the Public Lending Rights annual survey covering July 1998-June 1999. In November 1999 Books for Keeps magazine readers voted him “The outstanding children’s non-fiction author of the 20th Century”.

Terry’s district council have awarded Terry an “oscar” as one of their top citizens and Sunderland University have awarded Terry an Honorary Doctorate in Education (HonDEd) which was awarded in July 2000.

In early 1998, the Top Ten series was launched with two titles written by Terry, Top Ten Shakespeare Stories and Top Ten Greek Legends.

Terry’s latest additions to the Horrible Histories series are the Horrible Histories Special: France and Cruel Crimes and Painful Punishment. And if Horrible Histories wasn’t keeping him busy enough Terry has also contributed a range of titles to the True Stories series including True Mystery Stories and True Horror Stories.

The Horrible Histories exhibition is up and running in museums around Britain until 2003. He has also just set up a television production company and is negotiating to make a series of audio tapes and writing radio scripts for BBC World Service.

“If you haven’t come across ‘Horrible Histories’ before you’ve missed a true publishing phenomenon – Terry Deary seems to have invented a whole new genre with his series of books looking at history in an entirely different way.” Books Magazine, July 96

“I do not like reading very much and my Mum is pleased that I have found some books I like so much that I read them without being asked!” Fan letter from 10-year-old boy

For more information why not visit www.terry-deary.com or join his fan club?

Reviews

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What kids think

1. dizzydancing
   on 23 November 2013

   This book is an amazing and quick read- it took me a day to finish! You could read it on a rainy day or read it over a long period of time. The characters in the book are very interesting and you can really connect with them in the way that Terry has written it. The setting is in the 1830’s so it gives you a real chance to see what people, adults and children alike, did in those times. If you are feeling adventurous you could compare everyday life back then to your life now! Anyway I would recommend this book to anyone over the age of 8. Suitable for both boys and girls and maybe even the odd adult will give it a go! Recommend this review to your friends and family. Could this book be on your Christmas list?

   4 out of 5

2. Sherlock25
   on 6 March 2013

   I love this book! so funny and a great quick read, terry deary is hilarious!

3. bugzy72
   on 6 March 2013

   its a good book

4. jmpc
   on 3 March 2011

   This is the first book in a new set of fiction adventures by Terry Deary. Set in the 1830s – Smiff Smith is invited to join Master Crook’s Crime Academy whose aim is to rob the rich and give to the poor! When Smiff enrols he meets his first partner in crime, Alice White, and after a few lessons and top tips from Bert the Burglar they are soon set for their first burglary – robbing the mayor of Wildpool. This is a great adventure story with lots of laughs along the way. No sooner does one adventure end, Smiff and Alice are back to the classroom to meet new recruits and eager to learn what their next crime will be.

   4 out of 5

5. rose17035
   on 17 October 2010

   very funny book

   5 out of 5

6. madrid123
   on 11 September 2009

   way goood and they are a good stiler

   4 out of 5

7. tomboy03
   on 10 September 2009

   you will laugh ur socks off it its really funny and good of course