Synopses & Reviews
Mystery, intrigue, and pastries abound in this World War II spy tale
Evelyn typically satisfies her longing for adventure with the help of a pencil and a sheet of paper. But when she makes a new friend, Tony, shes happy to abandon her art for a real-life search for spies. When the two accidentally uncover a genuine mystery, it looks like Evelyn might end up in the kind of adventure she writes in her comics!
Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, and Pascal Dizin present a period piece that creates an inviting world you wont want to resist.
Review
"With stupefying precision, Dizin's art channels Herge's Tintin in tone, palette, and with the remarkable expressiveness of the clean, flexible figures....Kim and Klavan put a sophisticated spin on classic boy's adventure story....[F]illed not only with a thrilling sense of excitement but also with a child's longing for a grown-up to believe in." Booklist (starred review)
Review
"An appealing combination of Tintin-inspired art with its European sensibility mingles with the superhero stippling of a classically American style. A nice mix of espionage, romance and adventure, this well-paced, well-drawn tale will surely appeal to thoughtful young readers." Kirkus Reviews
Review
"This complex, well-executed work combines a modern, emotional narrative with a European comic style....While the illustrations evoke comics that are traditionally for younger readers, the many personal dilemmas at work in the narrative will be appreciated by older students." School Library Journal
Synopsis
Mystery, intrigue, and pastries abound in this World War II spy tale.
Evelyn typically satisfies her longing for adventure with the help of a pencil and a sheet of paper. But when she makes a new friend, Tony, she's happy to abandon her art for a real-life search for spies. When the two accidentally uncover a genuine mystery, it looks like Evelyn might end up in the kind of adventure she writes in her comics.
Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, and Pascal Dizin present a period piece that creates an inviting world you won't want to resist.
Synopsis
Evelyn typically satisfies her longing for adventure with the help of a pencil and a sheet of paper. But when she makes a new friend, Tony, she's happy to abandon her art for a real-life search for spies. Young adult.
About the Author
Susan Kim has written for more than three dozen children's TV series, including
Reading Rainbow and
Are You Afraid of the Dark? and received four Emmy nominations. Ms. Kim teaches in the MFA program at Goddard College. This is her first book for children.
Laurence Klavan wrote the novels The Cutting Room and The Shooting Script, both published by Ballantine, and has also written screenplays and teleplays for Tri-Star, Warner Brothers, and the USA Network. This is his first book for children.
Pascal Dizin grew up in a small town on the West Coast. He studied cartooning at the School of Visual Arts. He lives in New York City, where he continues to draw comics. This is his first book.
Reading Group Guide
Evelyn and her aunt share a love of art. In the course of the book, it becomes apparent that Evelyns mother also loved art, but gave it up. Why did she do this? Do you think she made the right decision?
When Evelyn goes to the movies, shes able to help a girl whos being picked on. When she meets the girl again later on, the girl gives Evelyn a hand. Do things like this happen in real life, or just in books? Have you ever helped someone you didnt know who then helped you back?
Many of the businesses in German Town have renamed themselves so they sound more American. What do you think was their reasoning for doing this? Is there anything similar happening in the US today?
When Evelyn and Tony sneak into Muellers cabin and hide under his bed, they witness a truly horrific event. They react by going home and not telling anyone whats happened. Why do you think they reacted like this? How do you think you would react in a similar situation?
Microphotography, the method chosen to record state secrets used in this book probably seems very old fashioned to you. Are there more better ways to do this with the advances in technology that have occurred in the past seventy years?
Evelyn is Jewish, a fact that affects the decisions she makes in this book. Why is the fact that shes Jewish
relevant in this particular war? Do you think that in general, religion affects peoples behavior or other
peoples behavior towards them?
City of Spies is a graphic novel, a story told in words and pictures. What would be different about this story if it was told as a novel, without the pictures? What would be different if it was told as a movie, without the text?
During World War II, people all over the US did their part to help the war effort, even kids (though not all of them had adventures as exciting as Tony and Evelyn did!). People collected scrap metal that went towards constructing planes; they planted their own gardens so food mass-produced on farms could be shipped overseas to the soldiers. What do you think motivated people to put their country and their community first this way? Can you think of anything you do for the betterment of the community, the country, or the world you live in?