Lisa Ann Sandell, our current Author-in-Residence, will be hanging out with us now through the end of August 2010. Look for posts from Lisa to appear at the readergirlz blog throughout her visit. Learn more about Lisa Ann Sandell and our author-in-residence position.

 

Only the Good Spy Young by Ally Carter

When Cammie Morgan enrolled at the Gallagher Academy, she knew she was preparing for the dangerous life of a spy. What she didn't know was that the serious, real-life danger would start during her junior year of high school. Now the danger follows her everywhere and even Cammie "The Chameleon" can't hide. When a terrifying encounter in London reveals that one of her most-trusted allies is actually a rogue double-agent Cammie no longer knows if she can trust her classmates, her teachers - or even her own heart.

The Gallagher Girls must hack, spy, steal, and lie their way to the truth as they go searching for answers, recognizing that the key to Cammie's future may lie deep in the past...

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Make sure to read The Gallagher Girls books in order: I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover Only the Good Spy Young This bestselling series has been awarded many accolades, including: Inclusion on the ALA Teens Top 10 Georgia Peach Book Award Texas Lone Star Reading List Amelia Bloomer Book Award Romance Writers of America Rita Award Finalist

Ally Carter

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On the nightstand:
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Prince of Fire by Daniel Silva
Once Was Lost by Sara Zarr

Favorite drink while you write: If I'm being good, water. If I'm being sorta good, iced tea with honey. If I'm being bad, Coke or Diet Coke.

Favorite bookstores: Too many to name!

Favorite library: Chanute Public Library, Chanute, KS

Place to write: For first drafts, probably a nice, quiet café. For rewrites, the office in my house.

Inspiration: Everything!

Dream book tour: Australia

Writer buddies: Too many to name!

Cure for writer's block: Napping. Or a matinee movie with excellent popcorn.

Favorite outfit: Yoga pants and a long-sleeve tee.

Laptop or longhand? Alphasmart.

Stilettos or Uggs? Socks. Just socks.

Author idol: A cross between Janet Evanovich, Rick Riordan, and Daniel Silva (and, yes, that is as weird as it sounds)

Other YA Novels:
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Only the Good Spy Young
Heist Society

Next up: Heist Society 2 (title and release date TBD)

Bonus: Check out gallaghergirls.com, which includes a video interview with Ally

Website: http://www.allycarter.com

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rgz LIVE!

Discuss the book with the author herself. Join us at Twitter #rgz on Wednesday, July 14th at 6 PM PST/9 PM EST to chat live with Ally Carter. The chat will last for one hour.

 

 

 

 

 

In July 2009, two women were attacked in their own home. Tragically, one of them, Teresa Butz, was killed; her partner courageously survived the attack. Shortly thereafter, the Fight the Fear Campaign was born.

Called "a quest for confidence through strength," this community-oriented violence prevention initiative provides free self-defense training and violence prevention education to women. The group is based in Seattle and hosts workshops which are open to all women.

Fight the Fear will be holding a workshop specifically for girls ages 11-17 on August 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM. To register, email info@fightthefearcampaign.org

If you attend this or other related events, please let us know! Email readergirlzdivas@gmail.com

So you want to be a spy . . . really.

If you are a US citizen who truly wants to work in espionage, you may want to pursue a career with the CIA: Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA declares itself to be the nation's first line of defense,

If you're currently a high school student who wants to get a job in the CIA in the future, the Agency recommends that you "concentrate on improving your communication skills, specifically in writing and in speaking. Foreign language skills are a big plus, and you should have a strong academic record."

Anxious to begin your life as a spy? The Agency offers student work programs such as undergraduate student internships and graduate studies programs. Check out these student opportunities!

The Core Values of the CIA:
Service.
Integrity.
Excellence.

The following tunes were hand-picked by the author to accompany her book.

1. One Girl Revolution, Superchic[k]
2. Love is a Battlefield, Pat Benatar
3. Open Your Eyes, Snow Patrol
4. 4ever, The Veronicas
5. Time After Time, Eva Cassidy
6. It's On, Superchick
7. Invincible, Pat Benatar
8. We All Fall, Superchic[k]
9. Soulmate, Natasha Bedingfield
10. One of These Mornings, Moby featuring Patti LaBelle

 

Discuss the following questions (and more!) with other readers at the readergirlz blog.

1. Cammie has always seen herself as a "chameleon." Have you ever felt that way?

2. In one of the book's pivotal scenes, Cammie realizes that Macey knows how she feels. How important is it to have friends who understand you?

3. If you were a spy, what would your codename be?

4. If you had Macey's money and Bex's connections and could go anywhere over your summer vacation, where would you go?

5. What is your favorite place that the Gallagher Girls have been?

6. Is Cammie foolish or kind for forgiving people for their past mistakes?

7. If you could go to the Gallagher Academy, would you? Even if it meant leaving your friends and family behind?

8. If, like Cammie, you knew every inch of the Gallagher Mansion and grounds, what part would be your favorite?

9. How different do you think the Gallagher Girl books would be if they were told from Bex, Liz, or Macey's point of view?

10. Do you ever feel like you're not sure who you can trust? Can you understand how Cammie would feel that way?

11. If you could have any of the Gallagher Gadgets, which would you choose and why?

12. What do you think will happen in Gallagher Girls 5?

 

Planning your own book group get-together? Here are some party ideas from the author.

Invite: Send a coded message via covert means. (This invitation will self-destruct in three...two...)

Décor: Plaid, crests, swords, and cut-out letters

Food: Peanut M&Ms, "drugged" apples, crème Brule, and, of course, Evapopaper (perhaps phyllo dough could be used in such a way)

Movies & TV Shows: Alias, the Bourne movies, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Craft: Make a hair bow out of coordinating plaids; create a super secret book cover to hide your covert texts; hollow out an old lipstick tube or some other innocuous-looking container to form a secret carrying device; make a holder for all that dangerous/killer spaghetti.

 

Recommended by postergirlz, the readergirlz advisory council

Fiction
The Kiki Strike books by Kirsten Miller
The Squad: Perfect Cover and Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Non-Fiction
Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom by Queen Latifah and Samantha Marshall
Gutsy Girls: Young Women Who Dare by Tina Schwager

 

 

Read ahead! Get ready for our upcoming book discussions:

August: Tell Me a Secret by Holly Cupala

September: Suite Scarlett and Scarlett Fever by Maureen Johnson

October: Lips Touch by Laini Taylor, illustrated by Jim Di Bartolo