Emil and the Detectives by Erich Kästner is a timeless children’s classic of courage, teamwork, and youthful ingenuity.
When twelve-year-old Emil travels from his small town to Berlin, he’s robbed on the train by a mysterious man in a bowler hat. Determined to get his money back, Emil enlists the help of a gang of local kids who transform the streets of Berlin into the backdrop for a thrilling manhunt.
With sharp wit, vivid urban scenes, and a deep respect for the resourcefulness of children, Kästner’s novel broke new ground by placing young protagonists in a realistic modern setting.
A foundational work in children’s literature, Emil and the Detectives (originally published in 1929) continues to charm readers around the world with its humor, suspense, and sense of justice.