Book Review- Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

“Just be yourself.” This is what Cammie’s mom tells her at the beginning of the new school year. Cammie is a spy and is used to blending in. Throughout this new school year, Cammie is supposed to try to be herself instead of what she is trained to do, be like everyone else. Ally Carter’s Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy fascinated me by explaining the life of a spy.

The main theme of this book is to be yourself. Being spies, the girls at the Gallagher Academy are specially trained to be “normal” and blend in with ordinary citizens. The main character Cammie, whose nickname is actually “the Chameleon,” struggles with this.

I love the way this author wrote the book. I enjoy the way she adds in thoughts of the characters and describes things so vividly. The main character Cammie is the narrator. This helps me understand the events going on around her and her feelings and thoughts about them.
All of the characters in this book are very unique and different. Cammie has three roommates: Bex, Liz, and Macy. Liz is extremely book smart. She loves to study and solve puzzles. Bex, who is also very smart, likes more real-world problems, perfect for being a spy. Macy is a fashion expert. She has tons of make-up and clothes.

This book takes place at the Gallagher Academy, an old mansion. Although it is old, the mansion has cool spy gadgets. The mansion is also home to many old passage ways ideal for sneaking around. I love imagining this school because I have never been anywhere like it.

At the beginning of this book, the Gallagher girls find out about an institution called Blackthorne. Blackthorne is also a school for young spies, but for boys! After the boys move in (and the girls freak out), everything seems to be weird. Lots of “Code Blacks,” or extreme lock downs start happening and no one can seem to find out why. Can the Gallagher girls find out what these boys are actually up to? Will there be any romance at this all girl’s school suddenly infested with boys?

Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy was a wonderful book! I would recommend it to anyone. The life of a spy is mysterious and full of adventure. This book combines adventure, romance, and thrill all into one amazing story.

240pages