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I Think My Dad is a Spy

BY Reading Time ADMIN ON JULY 19, 2015

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, YOUNGER READERS

This little page turner has a tight plot, interesting characters and an unexpected conclusion.

Sophie George, the narrator, has the reader diving straight into her world of postal delivery and intrigue in the first paragraph.

As the plot thickens and the possibility of her dad being a Russian spy becomes more likely, the tension is wound up to the max.

The book is set with a comfortable type, and interspersed with line drawings that successfully break up a very intense text.
An ideal story for a competent early reader in search of believable adventure in a small town setting.

Highly recommended.

reviewed by Chris Dayman (Reading Time)

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Author: Sognia Vassallo
Illustrator: Jenny Wood
Title: I Think My Dad is a Spy
Publisher: Woodslane Hand in Hand
ISBN: 9780994183705
Published: May 2015
Age: 8+

I Think My Dad is a Spy

by Sognia Vassallo

Reviewed by Julieann Wallace (Creative Kids Tales)

Sophie George loves to draw cartoons, write and make short movies. But what do you do when you overhear your father talking to another woman on his mobile phone in the broom closet? You become suspicious, and watch his behaviour with intent.

That is what high schooler Sophie George does as the main character in the children's chapter book, 'I Think My Dad is a Spy', written by Sognia Vassallo.

This story is written in first person as journal entries, just as a spy would do. Sophie's best friend, Janice, has all the questions and suggestions to help Sophie along with the spying on her dad.

Just when the evidence mounts, and you think you have decided whether Sophie's dad is a spy or not, in comes the curve ball and knocks down the mountain of evidence.

Interspersed throughout the journal entries are spy rules, and reminders to Sophie on her quest to find the truth about what is happening around her.

An added bonus to 'I Think My Dad is a Spy', are some wonderful illustrations by Jenny Wood and Sognia Vassallo, adding to the character personality and the setting of the story.

If spy themes are your reading choice, then add this chapter book to your reading list.

Author: Sognia Vassallo
Illustrator: Jenny Wood
Title: I Think My Dad is a Spy
Publisher: Woodslane Hand in Hand
ISBN: 9780994183705
Published: May 2015
Age: 8+

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"I Think my Dad is a Spy!"

Sognia Vassallo (2015)

Reviewed by Gillian Light - Leading Teacher, Literacy/21st Century Learning, Melton West Primary, Victoria

If your Dad insisted on taking mobile phone calls inside the wardrobe would you jump to the conclusion that he was a spy? That is exactly what the protagonist in this book, Sophie, thinks; or rather, has been convinced by her friends to think.

From the very first page of the book, Sophie tells us that her Dad, who runs the local post office in a small town, has been acting strangely. She allows herself to be talked into believing him to be a spy. The clues continue to add up as Sophie and her friends do their own detective work.

The cover draws the reader instantly to this book with appealing title fonts and a very suspicious looking Dad. Quirky illustrations provided by Jenny Wood and Sognia Vassallo are scattered throughout the book and add useful detail to help the reader see the world as Sophie and her friends do.

This book is written in the format of a journal kept by Sophie with observations of whats gone on during the day, particularly regarding her Dads behaviour. During the later stages of the book, Sophie also starts listing spy rules as she and her friends turn into spies themselves, to get to the bottom of what her Dad is up to. Some of the journal entries are a little long to be realistic however younger readers won't notice and will, no doubt, be drawn into Sophies world.

Aimed at readers from eight to twelve years old, this book would appeal to both boys and girls and may be helpful in engaging more reluctant readers with a very easy-to-read, conversational style and creative use of fonts.

The vocabulary is not particularly rich, mostly as it is written from Sophie's perspective so that in itself may make it more accessible for reluctant readers.

I think my Dad is a spy is the first in an upcoming series of books and the story certainly lends itself to a sequel.

Author: Sognia Vassallo
Illustrator: Jenny Wood
Title: I Think My Dad is a Spy
Publisher: Woodslane Hand in Hand
ISBN: 9780994183705
Published: May 2015
Age: 8+

Go to Review