Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy

Title: Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy (Gallagher Girls)
Author: Ally Carter
CBA or ABA? ABA
Primary Audience/age group: Teen
Genre: Spy
# Of pages: 236
Year of Release: 2007
Part of a Series? Yes, 2 of 2 (so far)
Rating: 4Description: Cammie Morgan is back for another semester at her ultra-secret spy school. Now that shes broken it off with Josh, shes made a commitment to not put her classmates in danger again. But when she finds out that her teachers are hiding secrets themselves, will she test the limits or keep her promise?Review: I enjoyed this extension of the very fun first novel, Id Tell You I Love You, But Then Id Have to Kill You, even more. Cammie still has her wit but seems to have learned from her previous mistakes. Plus, there are some very interesting new characters.

Positive: Cammie has decided that shes going to stop lying and sneaking around except when its for her training. She wont let another boy or anything else for that matter come between she, her friends, family, and matters of national security again. As a result of her previous actions the school has tightened up security and Cammie is taken to secret headquarters to experience first-hand what happens to a spy for stepping out of boundaries.

Spiritual Elements: The schools motto is Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. The Bible is not referenced here, but Cammie knows the motto by heart.

Violence: While in secret headquarters, Cammie and her mother are told that a small bomb has been planted on them and will detonate it they violate security. It was actually a joke.

A rumor going around school is that Cammies mom once killed a man with a copy of People magazine.

One of Cammies classmates bloodies her nose with a can of Pringles. There are a few mild physical combat scenes including one where a teacher is knocked out cold and his face is bleeding.

Language: none

Sexual Content: A humorous list is made with the girls wandering what Mr. Solomon looks like without his shirt on. Cammies classmates help her get ready for a date with one commenting that she has to look sexy for her date when in actuality shes not really wearing anything sexy. Headmistress Morgan is referred to as a smokin babe by members of the boys school. There is one kiss attempt and one actual kiss.

Other: Maceys dad isnt very understanding and believes she cheated to get As and Bs in her classes. Macey plans to get back at him by getting all As.

Cammies mom is keeping something from her. She and the other teachers lied about why the East Wing is closed. Cammie makes a point that adults and teachers dont always tell the truth. She thinks about sneaking into the East Wing but has second thoughts since she promised her mom she wouldnt sneak around anymore. However, she and the other girls later sneak in.

The girls are required to attend a ball along with the guys from the boys school. Cammie wears a strapless dress that causes her bra to unhitch while she is dancing. She runs out only to be followed by Zach who never realizes what has happened even when Cammie has to kick the bra out of his site.

Rating: 4 for some mildly sexual humor and mild violence mentioning blood. I didnt feel it was extreme enough to warrant a lower rating.

Recommendation: Cammie does end up breaking her promise of not sneaking around although she didnt put any secrets in danger of being revealed this time. Overall, I thought it had an even better storyline than the first book. I absolutely loved the new twist to the story. I still would recommend age 15 and above but with a lot less reservations. I think I enjoyed it better, in part, for that reason.

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