Bandette, Volume 1: Presto! by Paul Tobin

Lighthearted book, very nicely drawn action and colorful pages. I liked that most of the people getting “thieved” by Bandette had it coming in one way or another, making it easier to identify with a heroine who is a self-described criminal.

Oh my god, this was so delightfully twee. Like... Amelie times Lemony Snicket. Bandette! You are so charming! I shall die from your charm! Alas!

I'm not super sure how to pitch this to teens/tweens? IDK like... if you would like a relentlessly positive Lemony Snicket book, try this? ...

This is fantastic; great genre work, fun characters, good setting, little splashes of French. I love the friendly thief character and Bandette is charming, whimsical, cultured, and fun.

Also enjoyed the urchin stories at the end. I had to pause in reading Daniel's story for this line that I loved: “She frowned, but she did so in a way that she does, where the frown is like a drum roll for a smile.”
Paul Tobin you have my attention. Marvelous.