The Forty Thieves: Marjana's Tale

This retelling of the One Thousand and One Nights tale "Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves," set in tenth-century Baghdad, is told from the perspective of Marjana, the girl who saves Ali Baba, and brings a fresh perspective to the classic story

Marjana and her little brother, Jamal, who have been slaves of Ali Baba's cruel brother ever since their mother died, are kidnapped by the Forty Thieves one night. They are able to escape, but Marjana is worried for Jamal, as he becomes drawn to their lifestyle and joins a street gang. When Marjana meets Saja, a slave working at the bathhouse, who's also concerned about her little brother, Badi, becoming involved with the street gangs, Saja and Marjana try to get their brothers to become friends, and in turn, become friends themselves, despite Marjana's initial reluctance.

Marjana's mistress, however, is more worried about what her husband's fortune will be and convinces Marjana to spy on him when the fortune-teller Abu-Zayed visits. Abu-Zayed predicts that Ali Baba will end up far richer and greater, which sends Marjana's master into a panic, especially when he learns that Ali Baba has found the secret of the Forty Thieves' cave, which indicates that the fortune is coming true. Can Marjana save her brother from joining the street gangs, all the while helping Ali Baba escape the wrath of the Forty Thieves?

Binding Type: Hardcover
Publisher: Yellow Jacket
Published: 10/01/2019
ISBN: 9781499809459
Pages: 272
Weight: 0.70lbs
Size: 8.30h x 5.50w x 1.00d

Review Citations: Booklist 09/01/2019 pg. 107
Bulletin of Ctr for Child Bks 11/01/2019

Accelerated Reader Quiz #/Name: 506448 / Forty Thieves: Marjana's Tale
Reading Level: 5.1 / Interest Level: Middle Grade / Point Value: 7