The Teacher Who Knew Too Much
Seventeen banks and a jeweller’s have been raided. The police are baffled, but only Ben knows the truth – his Maths teacher, Miss Judson, is really a safecracker!
With police and her gangster boyfriend Al on their trail, Miss Judson and Ben go on the run. But Al needs them for one last job...
This new novel from award-winning children’s and YA author Rob Keeley is a quick and breathless read, a comedy crime thriller that will enthral the young reader and keep the pages turning! Perfect for confident readers, reluctant readers or as a holiday gift.
“Rob Keeley does it again with another fantastic book for children! I have long admired his writing... His award-winning Spirits series was fabulous... I am very excited to share this book with my class in the new year. A five-star triumph from Rob Keeley.”
Book Addict on The Treasure in the Tower
Published 28 January 2024. See order links below.
‘At this point, I've just come to expect that any book by Rob Keeley (author of my beloved Spirits series), will be fun, full of thrills and surprises, and at least a little bit adorable. This book did not break that pattern. While it's aimed at MG readers, I very much enjoyed it.
For one thing, the characters are fun. Ben is the son of a famous magician, and as such, he's a budding magician himself. He has a strong moral compass and wants to help Miss Judson, but being a kid, he sometimes gets in his own way as a result of not thinking things through first. I find it hilarious that his main objection to Miss Judson being convicted is that he knows he'll never get another math teacher who will be as nice to him.
Miss Judson is also sweet, and even though she's technically a criminal, I was on Ben's side: I didn't want her to have to go to jail.
Then there's Ben's grandma, perhaps the true hero of the story. (I'm mostly kidding, but she is pretty boss.) She serves up food, sass, and one of the book's biggest surprises.
The plot is plenty exciting: a student and his math teacher on the run from both the police and a crazy crime lord. Then throw in a brief stint with a traveling circus---because as everyone knows, the best way to hide is to join a traveling circus, especially if you're a character in a novel.
In short, it was a quick, fun read that I'd recommend to MG readers and those who enjoy light-hearted, exciting MG fiction. I was smiling as I read it.’
-The Wood Between The Worlds
‘When I was a girl at school, many moons ago, I often wondered what my teachers were like outside of school. For Ben, the main character in the book, he discovers that his Maths teacher is a bank robber!
Such a delightful premise for this book, and I enjoyed every word. It is humorous in the style in which it has been written, and middle grade children will love this story.
It is a fun and fast paced story that even the most reluctant of readers will enjoy. There is so much to grab their attention. Not only discovering that his teacher is a bank robber, but he goes on the run with her, encounters a gangster and joins a circus. I cannot imagine the child that will not revel in such a wonderful plot.
My own sons would have loved this when they were young. Its short chapters and comedic quality, along with its pithy plot will appeal to most children in the middle grade age range. A super book which I highly recommend for the intended age range.’
-Left on the Shelf
‘The Teacher Who Knew Too Much is an exciting, adventurous, and amusing middle-grade story by children’s author Rob Keeley.
I’m pretty sure many children have wondered what their teachers get up to outside of school hours but for student Ben, he never imagined he’d discover his maths teacher was a serial bank robber.
Unfortunately, Ben finds himself in danger when he overhears a conversation between his teacher, Miss Judson, and the second robber her ruthless boyfriend Al.
The book is good fun and the story flows well. There are plenty of humorous moments, especially from Ben’s Nana and her elephant gun. It was quick to read and the tension and excitement kept me engaged and turning the pages, rapidly. I can see children flying through this book in just one sitting wanting to know what happens to Ben and his teacher.
Overall, The Teacher Who Knew Too Much is a tremendous read. The short chapters keep it snappy, the characters are daring, and the plot is entertaining from beginning to end.’
-Whispering Stories
‘The Teacher Who Knew Too Much is just 68 pages long and yet it is a fully worked story with an engaging set up, an exciting narrative with plenty of jeopardy flowing from it, and a satisfying ending. It's not easy to get all that into such a tight word count! This makes it perfect for emerging and sometimes reluctant readers…
I say it often about Rob Keeley but he really does understand his audience and he writes for them, not for himself, for parents or for a school curriculum. His stories are straightforward entertainment for children done really well and with a genuinely good heart.
Recommended.’
-Jill Murphy, The Bookbag
‘This was a total blast to read!! Full of adventure and fun, it’s a book that will make you look at teachers in a different light! Just in case they might be leading a secret double life too!!
This is a great read for middle grade readers, and would make for a fabulous book to read with their parents as it opens up many question points – what would you do in the same situation?! It has short and snappy chapters, and balances fun with adventure with great ease!’
-Karen Mace, blogger
‘What a brilliant little read! I can’t think of any kid who doesn’t imagine that their teachers have secret lives, but what if it turned out your teacher really did! That’s what happens to Ben when he finds out that his maths teacher Miss Judson is really a safe-cracking bank robber and thief. I really liked this concept. I thought it was really nice to see that Ben wanted to help his favourite teacher. Gran cracked me up; she is one tough cookie! I wouldn’t mess with her that’s for sure! This story is well written, fast-paced and full of humour. Even the most reluctant readers will want to dig into this one!’
-Tami Wylie, book blogger
‘This was great fun! As the synopsis above mentions, Ben has discovered a shocking secret about one of his teachers. That as well as teaching him Maths, Miss Judson knows how to open safes, and is really good at it. In fact she's so good that she's wanted by the police, as well as by her gangster boyfriend Al! What follows is a fun adventure with Ben, Miss Judson, Ben's Nan, magic tricks and lots more that I won't divulge as I don't want to spoil the book for you. It'll definitely make you think twice about your teachers! Highly recommended for 8-12 year olds (middle grade readers), especially those who enjoy short chapter books. It would make a brilliant book for Christmas!’
-Secret Library Book Blog
‘What a exciting story, I was hooked from the beginning, already with full energy, cool action scenes, great comedy, amazing plot, and so lovable characters, the writing was superb, easy reading, and yet kept us interested throughout the whole book, I had it all in one seat! Congratulations to Rob Keeley!’
-Caesar, Goodreads reviewer
