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Table of Contents
About The Book
In this sixth installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies stages a rescue in Rome in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Charlie Thorne.
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
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Excerpt
Chapter 1: Annie 1. Annie
THE BEYOGLU AQUATIC CENTER SHARED a parking lot with an auto repair shop, so it wasn’t uncommon for teenagers with dripping-wet hair to cross paths with mechanics whose hands were covered in grease. This was Istanbul, a city that straddled two continents and was home to more than fifteen million people. Life here was defined by unlikely encounters.
Despite this, Annie couldn’t help but think the man was out of place. She noticed him the moment she stepped outside after practice. He was muscular but bulky, built like a boxer, not a swimmer. And his fitted shirt and perfectly pressed pants were hardly garage-appropriate. She watched as he dropped a cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out with the toe of a thick black boot. Judging by the other discards lying nearby, he’d been waiting awhile.
Annie turned to her friend Gökçe and asked, “Who’s the musclehead?”
The girl gave her a confused look. “What is ‘musclehead’?”
Gökçe’s English was so good that Annie sometimes forgot she was still learning it. “It just means a guy with lots of muscles.” She bowed her arms in a flex. “Like a bodybuilder.”
“Ahh, musclehead, I get it.” Gökçe smiled, pleased to add new slang to her vocabulary. “I don’t recognize him. He probably works at the garage.”
“Dressed like that? I don’t think so. Besides, look at his hands. They’re manicured. Not a spot of grease on them.”
“Okay, then he’s a parent picking up one of our teammates.”
Annie gave her the side-eye. “We’re halfway through the season, and we’ve never seen him before. How do you explain that?”
Gökçe laughed. “I don’t explain that. Because unlike you, I am not an incredibly annoyed person.”
“I’m not incredibly annoyed,” Annie said defensively. “I’m just curious because… Wait a second…. Did you mean ‘paranoid’?”
“That’s the word. Annoyed. Paranoid. They sound the same to me. You are the most paranoid fifteen-year-old in the world.”
Now it was Annie’s turn to laugh because there was more than a little truth to this. “Okay. That’s fair. But believe me. If you came from my family, you’d be paranoid too.”
Annie’s parents were both spies. Originally, they worked for MI6, British Secret Intelligence. But six years earlier a mission in Paris had gone terribly wrong. She still didn’t know all the specifics of what happened, but she’d been living on the run ever since. Türkiye was her ninth country, and like the other eight, it came with an entirely new identity and cover story. As far as Gökçe and everyone at school was concerned, Annie was Pam Ryan from Bakersfield, California, who’d moved to the Middle East because her father worked in the oil industry.
“Walk with me to the metro and help me practice my English,” Gökçe said.
“Okay, but you’ve got to help me practice too. You’re not the only one learning a new language. How do you say ‘paranoid’ in Turkish?”
“That’s easy,” Gökçe responded. “You just say… ‘Pam Ryan.’?”
It took Annie a moment to get the joke, and when she did, she laughed despite herself. “That’s so not funny.”
It had been years since she’d had a friend this close. Someone she could almost be herself with. This was intentional because she knew she’d inevitably be forced to leave without warning or a chance to say goodbye. But with Gökçe, their friendship had clicked from the beginning. They were classmates at Galatasaray, one of the most prestigious high schools in the country, and played together on a highly regarded water polo team. Gökçe’s dream was that they’d end up playing at the same college in the United States.
“When we get to USC, my English will have to be perfect,” she said as they walked along the brick road. “It will help me in school and of course when I meet all the celebrities.”
Her plan was that they would go to the University of Southern California, which, in addition to having an elite women’s water polo team with Olympians from around the world, was also located in Los Angeles, just a few miles from Hollywood.
“Did you see many celebrities growing up in California?” she continued.
“I lived in Bakersfield,” Annie responded, sticking to her cover story. “All they’ve got there is desert, farming, and oil wells. No celebrities.”
“Too bad. We will fix that when we are at university. We will go to class. We will train in the pool. And then we will hang out at clubs with all the movie stars.” She did a little shimmy with her shoulders.
Annie loved Gökçe’s mix of confidence and optimism. It was so heartfelt that she sometimes got swept up in it. Despite her unpredictable undercover life, she almost believed that they would go to college together and remain friends forever. But then she saw a reflection in a shop window and was snapped back to reality.
It was Musclehead. He’d followed them from the aquatic center and was now watching from across the street. Annie was right. He had been waiting. He’d been waiting for her.
Her cover was blown, which meant she needed to execute an escape plan. She had to get away from him. Then she would have to get away from Istanbul. But first she had to get away from Gökçe. It was too dangerous for her to get caught up in this.
“What’s the matter?” her friend asked. “You look worried all of a sudden.”
“No.” Annie faked a smile. “I’m just tired from practice.”
“Yes.” Gökçe nodded. “Practice today was extremely ghouling.”
Even in this situation Annie couldn’t help but chuckle. “Grueling,” she corrected. “?‘Ghouling’ would mean that there were ghosts and evil spirits. ‘Grueling’ means exhausting.”
“Sometimes I think the coach is like an evil spirit, but yes, grueling is better.” Gökçe flashed a smile, and Annie took a mental picture. She knew she’d never see her friend again.
As they neared the station, Annie was careful to keep track of the man without giving any indication that she’d spotted him. He likely wouldn’t make a move until she was alone. That meant she had two blocks to work out a strategy.
“You should come home with me for the weekend,” Gökçe suggested. “We could work on our Renaissance project together. And the food is much better than at the dorm.”
They were both boarding students at Galatasaray, but since it was Friday, Gökçe was heading home for the weekend. Her family lived just outside the city. Sometimes Annie tagged along, but she couldn’t predict how her pursuer would respond, and she didn’t want to risk her friend’s safety.
“I wish I could,” Annie replied. “But I promised Seda I would help her study.”
“Too bad. My mother is making baklava for dessert.”
“Don’t rub it in.”
When they reached the Sishane metro station, Annie took a quick peek over her shoulder and saw that the man was now closer to them. He was ready to act in case she headed toward the subway.
“Teach me one new English word before I go,” Gökçe said. “Something good.”
Annie blocked out the looming threat for a moment and focused on her friend. “Okay, here’s a good one,” she said. “Bestie.”
“What is ‘bestie’?” asked Gökçe.
Annie pointed at her friend. “You. You are my bestie.”
Gökçe smiled warmly. “That means you are my bestie also. See you Monday.” She got on the escalator and started to descend into the station. Before disappearing from view, she turned to face Annie and held up two fingers in a V for victory. “Fight on!”
It was the symbol and the slogan of the teams at the University of Southern California. The two of them had co-opted it as their own secret communication and used it for everything from a greeting to a farewell to a cheer during water polo matches. But now Annie took it as a reminder of what she needed to do. A call to action.
“Fight on!” she said, flashing the sign with her fingers. Then she added to herself, “Because that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
THE BEYOGLU AQUATIC CENTER SHARED a parking lot with an auto repair shop, so it wasn’t uncommon for teenagers with dripping-wet hair to cross paths with mechanics whose hands were covered in grease. This was Istanbul, a city that straddled two continents and was home to more than fifteen million people. Life here was defined by unlikely encounters.
Despite this, Annie couldn’t help but think the man was out of place. She noticed him the moment she stepped outside after practice. He was muscular but bulky, built like a boxer, not a swimmer. And his fitted shirt and perfectly pressed pants were hardly garage-appropriate. She watched as he dropped a cigarette to the ground and stubbed it out with the toe of a thick black boot. Judging by the other discards lying nearby, he’d been waiting awhile.
Annie turned to her friend Gökçe and asked, “Who’s the musclehead?”
The girl gave her a confused look. “What is ‘musclehead’?”
Gökçe’s English was so good that Annie sometimes forgot she was still learning it. “It just means a guy with lots of muscles.” She bowed her arms in a flex. “Like a bodybuilder.”
“Ahh, musclehead, I get it.” Gökçe smiled, pleased to add new slang to her vocabulary. “I don’t recognize him. He probably works at the garage.”
“Dressed like that? I don’t think so. Besides, look at his hands. They’re manicured. Not a spot of grease on them.”
“Okay, then he’s a parent picking up one of our teammates.”
Annie gave her the side-eye. “We’re halfway through the season, and we’ve never seen him before. How do you explain that?”
Gökçe laughed. “I don’t explain that. Because unlike you, I am not an incredibly annoyed person.”
“I’m not incredibly annoyed,” Annie said defensively. “I’m just curious because… Wait a second…. Did you mean ‘paranoid’?”
“That’s the word. Annoyed. Paranoid. They sound the same to me. You are the most paranoid fifteen-year-old in the world.”
Now it was Annie’s turn to laugh because there was more than a little truth to this. “Okay. That’s fair. But believe me. If you came from my family, you’d be paranoid too.”
Annie’s parents were both spies. Originally, they worked for MI6, British Secret Intelligence. But six years earlier a mission in Paris had gone terribly wrong. She still didn’t know all the specifics of what happened, but she’d been living on the run ever since. Türkiye was her ninth country, and like the other eight, it came with an entirely new identity and cover story. As far as Gökçe and everyone at school was concerned, Annie was Pam Ryan from Bakersfield, California, who’d moved to the Middle East because her father worked in the oil industry.
“Walk with me to the metro and help me practice my English,” Gökçe said.
“Okay, but you’ve got to help me practice too. You’re not the only one learning a new language. How do you say ‘paranoid’ in Turkish?”
“That’s easy,” Gökçe responded. “You just say… ‘Pam Ryan.’?”
It took Annie a moment to get the joke, and when she did, she laughed despite herself. “That’s so not funny.”
It had been years since she’d had a friend this close. Someone she could almost be herself with. This was intentional because she knew she’d inevitably be forced to leave without warning or a chance to say goodbye. But with Gökçe, their friendship had clicked from the beginning. They were classmates at Galatasaray, one of the most prestigious high schools in the country, and played together on a highly regarded water polo team. Gökçe’s dream was that they’d end up playing at the same college in the United States.
“When we get to USC, my English will have to be perfect,” she said as they walked along the brick road. “It will help me in school and of course when I meet all the celebrities.”
Her plan was that they would go to the University of Southern California, which, in addition to having an elite women’s water polo team with Olympians from around the world, was also located in Los Angeles, just a few miles from Hollywood.
“Did you see many celebrities growing up in California?” she continued.
“I lived in Bakersfield,” Annie responded, sticking to her cover story. “All they’ve got there is desert, farming, and oil wells. No celebrities.”
“Too bad. We will fix that when we are at university. We will go to class. We will train in the pool. And then we will hang out at clubs with all the movie stars.” She did a little shimmy with her shoulders.
Annie loved Gökçe’s mix of confidence and optimism. It was so heartfelt that she sometimes got swept up in it. Despite her unpredictable undercover life, she almost believed that they would go to college together and remain friends forever. But then she saw a reflection in a shop window and was snapped back to reality.
It was Musclehead. He’d followed them from the aquatic center and was now watching from across the street. Annie was right. He had been waiting. He’d been waiting for her.
Her cover was blown, which meant she needed to execute an escape plan. She had to get away from him. Then she would have to get away from Istanbul. But first she had to get away from Gökçe. It was too dangerous for her to get caught up in this.
“What’s the matter?” her friend asked. “You look worried all of a sudden.”
“No.” Annie faked a smile. “I’m just tired from practice.”
“Yes.” Gökçe nodded. “Practice today was extremely ghouling.”
Even in this situation Annie couldn’t help but chuckle. “Grueling,” she corrected. “?‘Ghouling’ would mean that there were ghosts and evil spirits. ‘Grueling’ means exhausting.”
“Sometimes I think the coach is like an evil spirit, but yes, grueling is better.” Gökçe flashed a smile, and Annie took a mental picture. She knew she’d never see her friend again.
As they neared the station, Annie was careful to keep track of the man without giving any indication that she’d spotted him. He likely wouldn’t make a move until she was alone. That meant she had two blocks to work out a strategy.
“You should come home with me for the weekend,” Gökçe suggested. “We could work on our Renaissance project together. And the food is much better than at the dorm.”
They were both boarding students at Galatasaray, but since it was Friday, Gökçe was heading home for the weekend. Her family lived just outside the city. Sometimes Annie tagged along, but she couldn’t predict how her pursuer would respond, and she didn’t want to risk her friend’s safety.
“I wish I could,” Annie replied. “But I promised Seda I would help her study.”
“Too bad. My mother is making baklava for dessert.”
“Don’t rub it in.”
When they reached the Sishane metro station, Annie took a quick peek over her shoulder and saw that the man was now closer to them. He was ready to act in case she headed toward the subway.
“Teach me one new English word before I go,” Gökçe said. “Something good.”
Annie blocked out the looming threat for a moment and focused on her friend. “Okay, here’s a good one,” she said. “Bestie.”
“What is ‘bestie’?” asked Gökçe.
Annie pointed at her friend. “You. You are my bestie.”
Gökçe smiled warmly. “That means you are my bestie also. See you Monday.” She got on the escalator and started to descend into the station. Before disappearing from view, she turned to face Annie and held up two fingers in a V for victory. “Fight on!”
It was the symbol and the slogan of the teams at the University of Southern California. The two of them had co-opted it as their own secret communication and used it for everything from a greeting to a farewell to a cheer during water polo matches. But now Annie took it as a reminder of what she needed to do. A call to action.
“Fight on!” she said, flashing the sign with her fingers. Then she added to herself, “Because that’s exactly what I intend to do.”
Reading Group Guide
Reading Group Guide
City Spies Book 6: London Calling
By James Ponti
About the Book
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
Discussion Questions
1. As London Calling opens, readers witness an exchange between Annie and Gökçe, her closest friend in Istanbul. Gökçe tells Annie, “‘You are the most paranoid fifteen-year-old in the world,’” to which Annie laughs and shares, “‘Okay. That’s fair. But believe me. If you came from my family, you’d be paranoid, too.’” (Chapter one) Given what you know from previous City Spies installments about Annie, her brother, mother, and father, in what ways is this statement true? Beyond the obvious challenge of being the daughter of spies, from your perspective, what have been the biggest challenges for Annie and her brother, Robert, also known as Cairo?
2. After swim practice with Gökçe, Annie notices a man out of place, with a physique that indicates he is likely not a swimmer. After her friend suggests that he could be a mechanic from the shop situated close to the pool, Annie tells Gökçe, “‘Dressed like that? I don’t think so. Besides, look at his hands. They’re manicured. Not a spot of grease on them.’” (Chapter one) What do Annie’s observations indicate about her situational awareness? How has being on the run with her mother and brother prepared her for such situations? How does this skill help her?
3. As she considers her relationship with Gökçe, Annie shares that it’s “been years since she’d had a friend this close. Someone she could almost be herself with. This was intentional because she knew she’d inevitably be forced to leave without warning or a chance to say goodbye.” (Chapter one) Why is Annie’s situation so difficult? Considering what Gökçe believes about Annie’s cover story, why is this also problematic? Do you believe Annie’s experiences with peers are easier or more difficult than what the City Spies experience? Explain your answer.
4. Early in the novel, readers learn that half of the City Spies team have been sent to Istanbul and then on to Rome in search of Annie, while the others stay at FARM to offer mission support, as well as focusing on their UK mission. What are some of the challenges of splitting their focus across multiple missions at once? What are some potential additional dangers presented based on this setup?
5. Cairo (Robert) is given the distinction of running the mission. Why does this seem important given that they are searching for his sister? Based on what you’ve learned about Cairo from earlier books, what are the greatest skills Cairo brings to this role? What might be some challenges he could face?
6. While debating the trustworthiness of Clementine and her actions, Kat shares that she believes her and finds her “very convincing,” to which Paris retorts, “‘The best spies always are.’” (Chapter six) Given his past experiences and what he’s witnessed firsthand, why is Paris so unwilling to trust Clementine? How do you feel about Paris’s concerns about her? Explain why you think he is or is not justified in feeling this way.
7. While considering why Umbra is targeting Annie, Mother tells them, “‘I think [Clementine] was a double agent working for MI6 while appearing to work with Umbra. I think the bad things she did were to make them believe that she was one of them. But it looks like she’s blown her cover.’” (Chapter six) In what ways do Clementine’s actions compromise her position with Umbra? Do you think she’s right to risk her level of trust with them? Why or why not?
8. As Paris, Mother, and Cairo visit the pool where Annie trained, Paris finds a displayed team picture and looks for Annie, to which Cairo tells him, “‘You won’t find her in there. First rule of living on the run. You’re always sick on picture day.’” (Chapter seven) Though this strategic action makes sense, it also leaves Mother feeling guilty. Why is that? Do you think he’s right to feel that way?
9. While in Türkiye searching for Annie as part of Operation Breadcrumbs, Mother and Cairo visit Annie’s school, and Cairo makes it his mission to retrieve her diary. What does this intentional choice indicate about their relationship?
10. How does Mother react to learning that Annie was given the choice to stay with her mother, even after given the option to live with her father and brother?
11. Throughout the novel, the City Spies team playfully teases Rio because he considers himself to be an “epicure”—someone with a refined palate and appreciation of high-quality food. In what ways does he regularly contradict this?
12. Based on what you learn through reading London Calling and your impressions of the City Spies throughout the series so far, how would you describe each member of the team? How have they each grown and changed in their time together?
13. After Cairo tells her that he loves his new siblings, Annie tells him, “‘That makes me very happy.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) Does this surprise you? Why does knowing that her brother believes the other City Spies are his family matter so much to Annie?
14. Consider the events of London Calling: What are some of the ways in which Clementine’s actions prove that all is not as it has appeared to the team? Do you think they should trust her? Why or why not?
15. As Annie volunteers to help her brother on the next stage of the mission, Mother tells her, “‘You have made it clear that you want no part of this.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) What does Annie have to gain by assisting on this mission?
16. Given the infiltration of FARM, why do Brooklyn and Monty believe they need to destroy Beny, a Cray XC40 supercomputer used by MI6 for code-breaking and analysis? While destroying it means a loss for everyone, especially as the supercomputer is such a vital tool for the team, how is this a huge sacrifice for Brooklyn?
17. After Brooklyn is forced to destroy the supercomputer to protect the City Spies team, she believes that the texts she receives from Beny are either delayed sent messages or spoofing messages from Umbra, or even that Beny somehow survived and is rebuilding himself. Do you believe that last option to be a possible explanation? Why or why not? What do you think these texts mean for the future?
18. When Quill kicks the City Spies out of their safe house, Mother tells him, “‘I get that you’re embarrassed . . . because grown men who you personally trained were unable to keep up with a group of kids. . . . So if you’re angry, take it out on me. Not them.’” (Chapter thirty) How do you feel about Quill’s reaction? In what ways is it surprising?
19. When Mother, Robert, and Annie finally get to see Clementine, she tells them “‘the key to survival is situational awareness.’” (Chapter thirty-two) In what ways does Clementine’s advice ultimately pay off for them?
20. Considering the conclusion of London Calling, what do you predict will happen in the next installment of City Spies? In what significant ways have things changed for the team?
Extension Activities
Istanbul. For part of the mission the City Spies undertake in this novel, they go undercover in Istanbul, Turkiye to try to locate Annie, who is Mother’s daughter and Cairo’s sister. First, using library and trusted internet resources, have students begin to discover what makes Istanbul so special. According to interest, have readers pair up to select one of the following aspects of Istanbul to research:
o Uniqueness of geographic location
o Hagia Sophia
o Blue Mosque
o Population statistics
o City on the Seven Hills
o Grand Bazaar
After their research is complete, allow them to share their findings in a manner of their choice.
Supercomputers. In London Calling, readers learn that MI6 is part of the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance which pools resources and shares classified information; part of that work is done by supercomputers like Beny as part of a system called Stonehenge Computer Cluster. Have readers begin learning more by watching this introductory video on supercomputers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xHoWwxdlms
Next watch this CNBC piece on the race to build the fastest supercomputer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utsi6h7IFPs
After watching these videos, have students research more about different aspects of supercomputers and their usage and potential, using library and trusted internet resources. After reading and investigating, ask students to present their most interesting discoveries.
Foreign Intelligence Agencies. As the City Spies work on their case, they learn that their agency has joined a team called the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This alliance is dedicated to sharing classified information with one another.
Have readers begin by doing a search, using trusted internet sources, for foreign intelligence agencies. Have them select one from the five mentioned in the novel or from a country of choice, and have them research to learn what information is available for that agency. After completing their research, have students share their new knowledge with their peers via a PowerPoint or slideshow presentation.
Rome. When their work on Operation Breadcrumbs takes them to Rome, the City Spies split up and explore the ancient city as they attempt to locate Annie. They ultimately get assistance from Barbara, a top-notch Roman tour guide. Working in small groups, begin by having readers do some sleuthing of their own to identify the best sites to see and best things to experience in Rome in a single day. Taking what they’ve individually discovered, have each group create an “Ultimate Day in Rome” guide to be shared with other groups, being sure they include food and snacks, best shopping experiences, and any other not-to-be-missed site or activity. Consider bonus credit for students creating a temporary travel website for this one-day trip, or a printed trifold pamphlet.
Famous Double Agents. In the novel, readers discover that Clementine was working as a double agent as a means to secure information about Umbra. Begin by learning more about notable US spies here: https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/09/us/imprisoned-u-s-spies---fast-facts/index.html
Next, using a variety of research resources, have students dig deeply to learn more about famous double agents, selecting an agent of interest and doing further research to learn the following:
o Why did this individual become a double agent?
o What countries/organizations did this spy work for?
o What were the outcomes of their work?
o What do you believe their greatest challenges were?
After finishing, have students share what they learned about this individual.
Royal Weddings. For the Operation Abbey Road mission, the City Spies are assigned to assist MI6 more directly to help find weak areas of security for the country-wide celebration of a royal wedding. Have readers learn more by learning about the following:
o Why are royal weddings such a grand occasion?
o Why are they often during the week and during the day?
o Where is the wedding traditionally held?
o How do the bride and groom travel between venues and why is it important?
o What must the bride and groom wear?
o What other interesting facts did you uncover?
After they finish, allow time for discussion of their findings.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock. Rose is an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University and holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
City Spies Book 6: London Calling
By James Ponti
About the Book
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
Discussion Questions
1. As London Calling opens, readers witness an exchange between Annie and Gökçe, her closest friend in Istanbul. Gökçe tells Annie, “‘You are the most paranoid fifteen-year-old in the world,’” to which Annie laughs and shares, “‘Okay. That’s fair. But believe me. If you came from my family, you’d be paranoid, too.’” (Chapter one) Given what you know from previous City Spies installments about Annie, her brother, mother, and father, in what ways is this statement true? Beyond the obvious challenge of being the daughter of spies, from your perspective, what have been the biggest challenges for Annie and her brother, Robert, also known as Cairo?
2. After swim practice with Gökçe, Annie notices a man out of place, with a physique that indicates he is likely not a swimmer. After her friend suggests that he could be a mechanic from the shop situated close to the pool, Annie tells Gökçe, “‘Dressed like that? I don’t think so. Besides, look at his hands. They’re manicured. Not a spot of grease on them.’” (Chapter one) What do Annie’s observations indicate about her situational awareness? How has being on the run with her mother and brother prepared her for such situations? How does this skill help her?
3. As she considers her relationship with Gökçe, Annie shares that it’s “been years since she’d had a friend this close. Someone she could almost be herself with. This was intentional because she knew she’d inevitably be forced to leave without warning or a chance to say goodbye.” (Chapter one) Why is Annie’s situation so difficult? Considering what Gökçe believes about Annie’s cover story, why is this also problematic? Do you believe Annie’s experiences with peers are easier or more difficult than what the City Spies experience? Explain your answer.
4. Early in the novel, readers learn that half of the City Spies team have been sent to Istanbul and then on to Rome in search of Annie, while the others stay at FARM to offer mission support, as well as focusing on their UK mission. What are some of the challenges of splitting their focus across multiple missions at once? What are some potential additional dangers presented based on this setup?
5. Cairo (Robert) is given the distinction of running the mission. Why does this seem important given that they are searching for his sister? Based on what you’ve learned about Cairo from earlier books, what are the greatest skills Cairo brings to this role? What might be some challenges he could face?
6. While debating the trustworthiness of Clementine and her actions, Kat shares that she believes her and finds her “very convincing,” to which Paris retorts, “‘The best spies always are.’” (Chapter six) Given his past experiences and what he’s witnessed firsthand, why is Paris so unwilling to trust Clementine? How do you feel about Paris’s concerns about her? Explain why you think he is or is not justified in feeling this way.
7. While considering why Umbra is targeting Annie, Mother tells them, “‘I think [Clementine] was a double agent working for MI6 while appearing to work with Umbra. I think the bad things she did were to make them believe that she was one of them. But it looks like she’s blown her cover.’” (Chapter six) In what ways do Clementine’s actions compromise her position with Umbra? Do you think she’s right to risk her level of trust with them? Why or why not?
8. As Paris, Mother, and Cairo visit the pool where Annie trained, Paris finds a displayed team picture and looks for Annie, to which Cairo tells him, “‘You won’t find her in there. First rule of living on the run. You’re always sick on picture day.’” (Chapter seven) Though this strategic action makes sense, it also leaves Mother feeling guilty. Why is that? Do you think he’s right to feel that way?
9. While in Türkiye searching for Annie as part of Operation Breadcrumbs, Mother and Cairo visit Annie’s school, and Cairo makes it his mission to retrieve her diary. What does this intentional choice indicate about their relationship?
10. How does Mother react to learning that Annie was given the choice to stay with her mother, even after given the option to live with her father and brother?
11. Throughout the novel, the City Spies team playfully teases Rio because he considers himself to be an “epicure”—someone with a refined palate and appreciation of high-quality food. In what ways does he regularly contradict this?
12. Based on what you learn through reading London Calling and your impressions of the City Spies throughout the series so far, how would you describe each member of the team? How have they each grown and changed in their time together?
13. After Cairo tells her that he loves his new siblings, Annie tells him, “‘That makes me very happy.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) Does this surprise you? Why does knowing that her brother believes the other City Spies are his family matter so much to Annie?
14. Consider the events of London Calling: What are some of the ways in which Clementine’s actions prove that all is not as it has appeared to the team? Do you think they should trust her? Why or why not?
15. As Annie volunteers to help her brother on the next stage of the mission, Mother tells her, “‘You have made it clear that you want no part of this.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) What does Annie have to gain by assisting on this mission?
16. Given the infiltration of FARM, why do Brooklyn and Monty believe they need to destroy Beny, a Cray XC40 supercomputer used by MI6 for code-breaking and analysis? While destroying it means a loss for everyone, especially as the supercomputer is such a vital tool for the team, how is this a huge sacrifice for Brooklyn?
17. After Brooklyn is forced to destroy the supercomputer to protect the City Spies team, she believes that the texts she receives from Beny are either delayed sent messages or spoofing messages from Umbra, or even that Beny somehow survived and is rebuilding himself. Do you believe that last option to be a possible explanation? Why or why not? What do you think these texts mean for the future?
18. When Quill kicks the City Spies out of their safe house, Mother tells him, “‘I get that you’re embarrassed . . . because grown men who you personally trained were unable to keep up with a group of kids. . . . So if you’re angry, take it out on me. Not them.’” (Chapter thirty) How do you feel about Quill’s reaction? In what ways is it surprising?
19. When Mother, Robert, and Annie finally get to see Clementine, she tells them “‘the key to survival is situational awareness.’” (Chapter thirty-two) In what ways does Clementine’s advice ultimately pay off for them?
20. Considering the conclusion of London Calling, what do you predict will happen in the next installment of City Spies? In what significant ways have things changed for the team?
Extension Activities
Istanbul. For part of the mission the City Spies undertake in this novel, they go undercover in Istanbul, Turkiye to try to locate Annie, who is Mother’s daughter and Cairo’s sister. First, using library and trusted internet resources, have students begin to discover what makes Istanbul so special. According to interest, have readers pair up to select one of the following aspects of Istanbul to research:
o Uniqueness of geographic location
o Hagia Sophia
o Blue Mosque
o Population statistics
o City on the Seven Hills
o Grand Bazaar
After their research is complete, allow them to share their findings in a manner of their choice.
Supercomputers. In London Calling, readers learn that MI6 is part of the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance which pools resources and shares classified information; part of that work is done by supercomputers like Beny as part of a system called Stonehenge Computer Cluster. Have readers begin learning more by watching this introductory video on supercomputers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xHoWwxdlms
Next watch this CNBC piece on the race to build the fastest supercomputer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utsi6h7IFPs
After watching these videos, have students research more about different aspects of supercomputers and their usage and potential, using library and trusted internet resources. After reading and investigating, ask students to present their most interesting discoveries.
Foreign Intelligence Agencies. As the City Spies work on their case, they learn that their agency has joined a team called the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This alliance is dedicated to sharing classified information with one another.
Have readers begin by doing a search, using trusted internet sources, for foreign intelligence agencies. Have them select one from the five mentioned in the novel or from a country of choice, and have them research to learn what information is available for that agency. After completing their research, have students share their new knowledge with their peers via a PowerPoint or slideshow presentation.
Rome. When their work on Operation Breadcrumbs takes them to Rome, the City Spies split up and explore the ancient city as they attempt to locate Annie. They ultimately get assistance from Barbara, a top-notch Roman tour guide. Working in small groups, begin by having readers do some sleuthing of their own to identify the best sites to see and best things to experience in Rome in a single day. Taking what they’ve individually discovered, have each group create an “Ultimate Day in Rome” guide to be shared with other groups, being sure they include food and snacks, best shopping experiences, and any other not-to-be-missed site or activity. Consider bonus credit for students creating a temporary travel website for this one-day trip, or a printed trifold pamphlet.
Famous Double Agents. In the novel, readers discover that Clementine was working as a double agent as a means to secure information about Umbra. Begin by learning more about notable US spies here: https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/09/us/imprisoned-u-s-spies---fast-facts/index.html
Next, using a variety of research resources, have students dig deeply to learn more about famous double agents, selecting an agent of interest and doing further research to learn the following:
o Why did this individual become a double agent?
o What countries/organizations did this spy work for?
o What were the outcomes of their work?
o What do you believe their greatest challenges were?
After finishing, have students share what they learned about this individual.
Royal Weddings. For the Operation Abbey Road mission, the City Spies are assigned to assist MI6 more directly to help find weak areas of security for the country-wide celebration of a royal wedding. Have readers learn more by learning about the following:
o Why are royal weddings such a grand occasion?
o Why are they often during the week and during the day?
o Where is the wedding traditionally held?
o How do the bride and groom travel between venues and why is it important?
o What must the bride and groom wear?
o What other interesting facts did you uncover?
After they finish, allow time for discussion of their findings.
This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock. Rose is an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University and holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.
This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.
About The Author
Elena Seibert Photography
James Ponti
James Ponti is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.
Product Details
- Publisher: Aladdin (February 4, 2025)
- Length: 400 pages
- ISBN13: 9781665932509
- Ages: 8 - 12
Resources and Downloads
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): London Calling Hardcover 9781665932509
- Author Photo (jpg): James Ponti Elena Seibert Photography(0.1 MB)
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