True Crime Files: Heist at the Museum!

The story is unbelievable. The heist actually happened.

Charlie O’Neill is still grieving his mom and desperate for his dad’s attention when he overhears three smooth-talking surfers planning the heist of the century. The target? The priceless gems of the American Museum of Natural History. The problem? Nobody believes a kid. So Charlie decides to stop it himself. What follows is a breathless night of locked iron gates, cut glass, a swaying rope five stories up, and a choice that makes right and wrong a lot more complicated than Charlie expected.

True Crime Files: Heist at the Museum! is inspired by the real 1964 theft of the Star of India sapphire, one of the most legendary jewel heists in U.S. history. The thieves were real. The gems were real. And the story is even wilder than you’d imagine.

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Below are resources designed to help teachers and students get the most out of Heist at the Museum!

Educator's Guide for Heist at the Museum!

Add Heist! to your curriculum with this guide written by teacher Julie DenOuden, including discussion questions, vocab, and extension activities tied to the Common Core.

Educator's Guide

Heistograms!

Join world-famous heistologist Atlas Salta in solving a heist with these brain twister puzzles based on real heists from around the world including:
Heistogram #1: The Great Maple Syrup Heist
Heistogram #2: The Golden Toilet Heist (coming soon!)
Heistogram #3: The Baffling Bridge Heist (coming soon!)

Start Here: How-To
Heistogram 1: Puzzles
Heistogram 1: Answers

Puzzles

Review important vocabulary words from Heist at the Museum with these puzzles.

Crossword
Word Search

HEIST AT THE MUSEUM! REVIEWS

"Fiction and history meet in this thrilling story based on a real jewel heist!"
Steve Sheinkin
New York Times bestselling author, Newbery Honor winner, Sibert Medalist, and three-time National Book Award finalist, author of Diamond Fever!
"True crime has never been such fast-paced, kid-friendly fun!"
Chris Grabenstein
#1 New York Times bestselling author of the two-million-copies-sold Mr. Lemoncello’s series
"Action-adventure fans will adore this breathtaking caper based on extraordinary true events. Reminiscent of the classic From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler, it's sure to become a favorite of young readers everywhere."
Megan E. Freeman
NYT Bestselling author of ALONE
"Truth plus fiction equals fascinating fun! With the thrills and chills of a museum jewel theft, and historical back matter that tells the rest of the real-life story, Sam Subity's HEIST AT THE MUSEUM will have young readers on the edges of their seats."
Kate Albus
Bestselling author of A Place to Hang the Moon
"This heist story delivered exactly what I hope for in a strong middle grade adventure. The real 1964 museum theft gives the book instant credibility, but it is the kid-centered lens that makes the stakes feel personal and urgent."
Ben Gartner
Author of the Eye of Ra children's time travel books
"The Force is strong with this one."






Darth Vader
Sith lord, Kidlit fan
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