Sophia has moved a lot, but it’s not really something she has got used to. Making friends and then leaving for another city and school is always hard. Now they live in Central America, with bars on the windows, and an armed guard outside. Every morning Dad even insists on staying with her until she steps onto the school bus.

Sophia resents her sister Julia who is packing for university and no longer controlled by their parent’s jobs that tip their lives upside down. Not that they ever actually say what those jobs are. But Sophia too has become excellent in conversation diversion when asked where she’s from, what her parents do, or other personal questions, as she swings between having friends or not. And then suddenly there is Beth.

Beth introduces Sophia to parties, guys, alcohol and dancing, and she begins to feel like she’s fitting in for a change. This minefield of sneaking out, hiding revealing clothes from her mum, navigating a crush on a guy, and female friendships is confusing and exciting at the same time.

But Sophia is self-disciplined enough to keep studying throughout, as she watches party girl Beth’s education implode. This intense time growing up, learning the shocking truth about her parents and the fact that people are all multi-faceted, showing only parts of themselves that suit the situation, are revealing and ultimately vital in Sophia in making her own choices.

This Graphic Memoir follows the story of a girl who doesn’t know her parents are spies. Being 15 is hard enough without having to move to a new city, school or even country where she doesn’t know the language. She navigates high school in unfamiliar territory as best she can, with a destructive friend leading her down dangerous paths. CIA spies as parents are different sure, but all the normal emotions and ups and downs of high school are heightened in Sophia’s life, making readers see an even tougher journey than the norm.

But as all teens must do, she finally stands up for herself, seeing the toxic friendship for what it is, and strives for better things for her future.

As the author and graphic artist on her memoir, who better to capture her feelings, as her life changes once more, her big sister leaves and the unknown stretches before her.

Really enjoyed it. 

Author / Illustrator – Sophia Glock

Graphic Memoir

Age – 15+

Read an interview with the author here

(2022, Hachette, Spies, CIA, Secrets, Family, Friendship, Growing up, Sisters, Music, Dancing, Sneaking out, Clubbing, Alcohol, Popularity, School, Secret, Central America, Personal Guards, America, USA, Deflection