heist society -- uncommon criminals discussion guide

7/22/2019 Heist Society -- Uncommon Criminals Discussion Guide

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Discussion GuiDe

HYPERION BOOKS


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About the Book

Katarina Bishop has worn a lot o labels in her short lie lie. Friend. Niece. Daughter.

Tie. But or the last two months shes simply been known as the girl who ran the

crew that robbed the greatest museum in the world. Tats why Kat isnt surprised

when shes asked to steal the inamous Cleopatra Emerald so it can be returned to its

rightul owners.

Tere are only three problems. First, the gem hasnt been seen in public in thirty

years. Second, since the all o the Egyptian empire and the suicide o Cleopatra, no

one who holds the emerald keeps it or long, and in Kats world, history almost always

repeats itsel. But its the third problem that makes Kats crew the most nervous, and

that is simply . . . the emerald is cursed.

Kat might be in way over her head, but shes not going down without a ght. Ater

all, she has her best friendthe gorgeous Haleand the rest of her crew with her as

they chase the Cleopatra around the globe, dodging curses, realizing that the same

tricks and cons her amily has used or centuries are useless this time.

Which means, this time, Katarina Bishop is making up her own rules.

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Discussion Questions

1 Ater successully recovering the missing art and securing her athers saety in

Heist Society, Kat retreats rom her crew and begins working independently to

assist Mr. Stein in retrieving art stolen rom its rightul owners by the Nazis. In

your opinion, why does Kat eel a need to continue with this endeavor? Do you

agree with her decision to work alone? Why or why not?

2 Explain the signicance o Visily Romanis name. What role does Romani play in

getting Kat to accept the request Constance Miller makes o her? Why does Kat

take the use o Visily Romanis name so seriously?

3 Who are your avorite or least avorite secondary characters in the novel? What is

it about these characters that you nd endearing or disturbing?

4 Given that Kat no longer sees hersel as a thie but rather more o a return artist,

a repossession specialist . . . a highly uncommon criminal, she could be perceived

as more vulnerable. Do you agree? Using textual evidence as support, make a case

or your position.

5 Consider the variety o settings or Uncommon Criminals; name the three places

you believe to be most important to the story. Using textual evidence rom the

book, explain why you nd them to be signicant to the overall story structure.

6 How would you describe Kats family? With whom does she seem closest? To what

extent are the relationships o these characters shaped by the world around them?

o what extent do their relationships shape that world?

7 Explain the signicance o the title, Uncommon Criminals. Beyond Kat, in what

ways does the title accurately describe her team?

8 While discussing stealing the Cleopatra Emerald with Gabrielle, Hale tells Kat, Of

course youre going to do it. I mean, its what you do now, isnt it? ravel the world,

righting wrongs. A one-woman recovery crew. Explain Hales attitude toward Kats

actions. Do you believe he is justied or eeling this way? Why or why not?

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9 Describe Kat. What makes her a dynamic character? Is she the type o person you

would want to beriend? Why or why not? Does she remind you o anyone you

know? Does anything about her remind you o yoursel?

10 Maggie tells Kat, Tere is no honor among thieves, Katarina. No matter what

you might have read in storybooks. Do you agree? Why or why not?

11 Uncommon Criminalsis told in the third person; how would the story be diferent

i Kat or another secondary character were telling it? Do you thinking changing

the point o view would make the story better or worse? Why?

12 How would you characterize the relationship between Kat and Hale? Do you feelit that it changes over the course o the novel? I so, in what ways?

13 Uncle Eddie tells Kat, We are very much alike Katarina . . . I was once a brilliant

young thie . . . who wasnt nearly as brilliant as I thought . . . It is a shame to see

history repeat itsel. What can you iner about Uncle Eddies assessment o Kat?

Do you agree with him? Why or why not?

14 In what ways are Kat and Maggie similar? How are they dierent? What does Kat

ultimately learn rom Maggie?

Classroom ConnectionsReading, WRiting, and ReseaRching

1 Te history created or the Cleopatra and Antony Emeralds in UncommonCriminalswas inspired by the many legendary jewels believed to be cursed.

Working in small groups, have students research other legendary gems and

their cursed histories and create a digital report about their ndings. Have them

consider the ollowing:

What is the physical description o the gem?

What is the gems origin?


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Who has owned the gem?

What unusual/tragic events have transpired to the owner(s) o the gem?

2 Te city o Monte Carlo is the backdrop or the setting or Kat and her crew toexecute the nal job in Uncommon Criminals. Have students research this exotic

setting to learn more about its rich history, being sure to consider the ollowing:

Location

Population

Government

Religion

Industry

History

Ater gathering inormation, have them create an inormative presentation to be

shared with their classmates.

3 Music is oten used to connect people to each other and the world at large. Select

a avorite character rom Uncommon Criminalsand create an original playlist that

is representative o the experiences that character undergoes throughout the novel.

Create original album art that also signies their experience, include appropriateartist inormation, and ofer an explanation or the selection o each song.

4 One of Carters greatest strengths as a writer is her ability to oer richly

descriptive scenes. In small groups, have students select a avorite scene rom

Uncommon Criminalsand create either a digitally or manually illustrated

graphic novel or that scene. Using a digital comic strip creator (http://www.

makebeliefscomix.com/Comix or http://infinitecomic.com, or example),

have students begin by using the strips to create storyboards for their scene. Have

students select original art, images, and graphics. Alternatively, students could

assume the roles o two o the characters with each ones personality and voice and

have them interact with each other by creating an extension o a scene rom the

novel. As part o the evaluation component, consider panel size and number o

panels, transitions and layouts, artwork, writing, and lettering.
http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/http://infinitecomic.com/http://infinitecomic.com/http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/http://www.makebeliefscomix.com/Comix/


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Tis guide was created by Rose Brock, a teacher, school librarian, and doctoral

candidate at exas Womans University, specializing in childrens and young

adult literature.

Many more Teachers guides can be found on the Disney Hyperion Web site at

www.disneyhyperionbooks.com

114 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011

www.un-requiredreading.com

UncommonCriminalsHardcover

978-1-4231-4795-4

$16.99
http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com/http://www.un-requiredreading.com/http://www.un-requiredreading.com/http://www.hyperionbooksforchildren.com/

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