Can a thief really be a hero?

The Thief and the Beanstalk by P.W. Catanese

Does this title have a familiar ring to it? From the first page I knew I was hooked. Mr. Catanese takes us back to the old familiar tale of Jack and his magic beanstalk.
Our story starts out with a new face, Nick, who much like Jack was a very poor individual not knowing where his next meal was coming from. Nick who was orphaned due to a plague that took his parents, is wandering the land just trying to survive. As we start the story we also see a band of thieves wandering the countryside in search of wealth and glory. All of our characters know a tale of a man named Jack who lives off far "North and West" of here. This man Jack is very wealthy in a white fortress that is impenetrable. His wealth is "said" to have come from a magical place that he went to after planting magic beans and growing a magical beanstalk.
We find in the band of thieves a most gruesome character named Finch. Finch on the exterior is a handsome man who maybe doesn't look like he belongs with these ruffians. However when Nick encounters Finch in the middle of an abandoned farm, one look into the terrifying look of his eyes and Nick knew that the exterior man did not match the monster within.
Finch has plan to find this "Jack fellow" and steal all his riches. They find Jack's pearly white fortress and only Nick can get in by climbing the vines that are crawling up the fortress walls.
After some hearty meals and a change of clothing, Nick is ready.
He climbs into Jack's fortress and finds a curious room. A room filled with paintings that are almost telling us a story....a story of a young boy in a magical world...filled with giants, and hens that lay golden eggs.....
and as he is looking...Nick is caught! by none other than Jack himself! Jack a now old man has some heavy burdens he has been carrying around for years....was Jack the hero of his story? Did he kill the giant? Find out for yourself! Jack gives Nick some beans (much like the ones Jack was given in trade for his cow) and see what happens when Nick climbs the beanstalk this time....will Nick make it back to our world??????

This enchanting story should be shared with many! I absolutely loved reading it and revisiting not only an old friend but my childhood as well...I recommend this one to readers of all ages....
Enjoy!