The Peach Thief by Linda Joan Smith
Historical Fiction, Homelessness, Gardeners
374 pages; 2025
Description
"The night that workhouse orphan Scilla Brown dares to climb the Earl of Havermore's garden wall, she wants only to steal a peach--the best thing she's ever tasted in her hard, hungry life. But when she's caught by the earl's head gardener and mistaken for a boy, she grabs on to something more: a temporary job scrubbing flowerpots. If she can just keep up her deception, she'll have a soft bed and food beyond her wildest dreams . . . maybe even peaches. She soon falls in with Phin, a garden apprentice who sneaks her into the steamy, fruit-filled greenhouses, calls her "Brownie," and makes her skin prickle. At the same time, the gruff head gardener himself is teaching lowly Scilla to make things grow, and she's cultivating hope with every seed she plants. But as the seasons unfurl, her loyalties become divided, and her secret grows harder to keep. How far will she go to have a home at last?"
My Notes
This shimmering middle-grade debut set in 1850s Lancashire, England, explores longing, belonging, and the courage it takes to find your place--and bloom. --Provided by publisher.
My first impression was that some students might find the text challenging due to the main character’s Cockney accent. The book is best suited for more advanced readers, though it could also make a wonderful read-aloud. The plot moves quickly, driven by the constant tension over Scilla’s secret being discovered. The setting offers a vivid and immersive picture of 19th-century life, with rich details about gardens and gardening practices of the time. Many of the themes explore timeless aspects of human nature, adding depth and resonance to the story.
