The Stolen Songbird

"The twisty plot and taut, assured writing deliver a story that immediately engages. Assured and atmospheric: a winner." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

When Caro finds a stolen masterpiece in her missing mother's suitcase, she's thrust into a thrilling art-heist caper in 1950s London.

When Caro Monday's mother disappears on one of her jaunts across the globe, Caro is forced to stay with her miserable great-aunt all the way across town. To make matters worse, Caro's beloved rabbit, His Nibs, isn't allowed to come with her. Of course, Caro sneaks him into her aunt's strict household anyway. Although Caro's wild behavior exasperates her dour aunt, she never dreamed of the trouble she finds herself in when she discovers a small painting of a thrush hidden in the lining of her suitcase--a stolen masterwork that some dangerous art thieves are desperately searching for! Catapulted into a caper with more twists and turns than the alleys of London, Caro and her friends, including budding fashion designer Horace, expert knitter Albie, and a wise "gentleman of the road"--not to mention His Nibs himself--must unravel a decades-old mystery and return the purloined picture before the thieves hunt them down. Plenty of surprises and a diverse cast of memorable characters await in this rousing art-themed adventure.

Author: Judith Eagle
Publisher: Walker Books Us
Published: 12/02/2025
Pages: 336
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.93lbs
Size: 7.80h x 5.90w x 1.20d
ISBN: 9781536242683
Audience: Ages 9-12


Review Citation(s):
Kirkus Reviews 08/01/2025
Publishers Weekly 09/15/2025
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2025
School Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 98

About the Author
Judith Eagle's career has included stints as a stylist, fashion editor, and features writer. She now spends her mornings writing and her afternoons working in a secondary school library. She is the author of The Secret Starling, The Pear Affair, and The Accidental Stowaway, all illustrated by Jo Rioux. Judith Eagle lives with her family and her cat, Stockwell, in South London.

Jo Rioux is the illustrator of The Secret Starling, The Pear Affair, and The Accidental Stowaway, all by Judith Eagle. She has illustrated young adult novels, chapter books, picture books, and graphic novels. She is the author-illustrator of the Cat's Cradle series and the illustrator of The Daughters of Ys by M. T. Anderson. Jo Rioux lives in Ottawa.