Pietje Bell by Chris van Abkoude

Why read the book?

This is where it all begins. We meet Pietje, the lively son of the shoemaker Bell, in a Rotterdam of cobbled streets, shop doorways and ordinary working folk. He cannot keep out of trouble, yet behind every scrape there is a warm heart and a sense of fair play.

The story sets up the whole series. Pietje gathers his friends and starts the Zwarte Hand, a gang that loves a prank but also stands up for the poor and the weak. The tone is funny and a little wild, but never unkind.

Favourite quote

What I Loved

I love how warm the book stays even at its most chaotic. Pietje breaks the rules, but he never breaks faith with his friends or with people who have it hard. The Rotterdam street life feels real and lived in, and the humour comes from a boy who is good at heart.

Key Takeaway

A good heart matters more than good behaviour.

Note

This book is only available in Dutch

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