Reading Group Guide

City Spies Book 6: London Calling

By James Ponti​

About the Book

Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?

Discussion Questions

1. As London Calling opens, readers witness an exchange between Annie and Gökçe, her closest friend in Istanbul. Gökçe tells Annie, “‘You are the most paranoid fifteen-year-old in the world,’” to which Annie laughs and shares, “‘Okay. That’s fair. But believe me. If you came from my family, you’d be paranoid, too.’” (Chapter one) Given what you know from previous City Spies installments about Annie, her brother, mother, and father, in what ways is this statement true? Beyond the obvious challenge of being the daughter of spies, from your perspective, what have been the biggest challenges for Annie and her brother, Robert, also known as Cairo?

2. After swim practice with Gökçe, Annie notices a man out of place, with a physique that indicates he is likely not a swimmer. After her friend suggests that he could be a mechanic from the shop situated close to the pool, Annie tells Gökçe, “‘Dressed like that? I don’t think so. Besides, look at his hands. They’re manicured. Not a spot of grease on them.’” (Chapter one) What do Annie’s observations indicate about her situational awareness? How has being on the run with her mother and brother prepared her for such situations? How does this skill help her?

3. As she considers her relationship with Gökçe, Annie shares that it’s “been years since she’d had a friend this close. Someone she could almost be herself with. This was intentional because she knew she’d inevitably be forced to leave without warning or a chance to say goodbye.” (Chapter one) Why is Annie’s situation so difficult? Considering what Gökçe believes about Annie’s cover story, why is this also problematic? Do you believe Annie’s experiences with peers are easier or more difficult than what the City Spies experience? Explain your answer.

4. Early in the novel, readers learn that half of the City Spies team have been sent to Istanbul and then on to Rome in search of Annie, while the others stay at FARM to offer mission support, as well as focusing on their UK mission. What are some of the challenges of splitting their focus across multiple missions at once? What are some potential additional dangers presented based on this setup?

5. Cairo (Robert) is given the distinction of running the mission. Why does this seem important given that they are searching for his sister? Based on what you’ve learned about Cairo from earlier books, what are the greatest skills Cairo brings to this role? What might be some challenges he could face?

6. While debating the trustworthiness of Clementine and her actions, Kat shares that she believes her and finds her “very convincing,” to which Paris retorts, “‘The best spies always are.’” (Chapter six) Given his past experiences and what he’s witnessed firsthand, why is Paris so unwilling to trust Clementine? How do you feel about Paris’s concerns about her? Explain why you think he is or is not justified in feeling this way.

7. While considering why Umbra is targeting Annie, Mother tells them, “‘I think [Clementine] was a double agent working for MI6 while appearing to work with Umbra. I think the bad things she did were to make them believe that she was one of them. But it looks like she’s blown her cover.’” (Chapter six) In what ways do Clementine’s actions compromise her position with Umbra? Do you think she’s right to risk her level of trust with them? Why or why not?

8. As Paris, Mother, and Cairo visit the pool where Annie trained, Paris finds a displayed team picture and looks for Annie, to which Cairo tells him, “‘You won’t find her in there. First rule of living on the run. You’re always sick on picture day.’” (Chapter seven) Though this strategic action makes sense, it also leaves Mother feeling guilty. Why is that? Do you think he’s right to feel that way?

9. While in Türkiye searching for Annie as part of Operation Breadcrumbs, Mother and Cairo visit Annie’s school, and Cairo makes it his mission to retrieve her diary. What does this intentional choice indicate about their relationship?

10. How does Mother react to learning that Annie was given the choice to stay with her mother, even after given the option to live with her father and brother?

11. Throughout the novel, the City Spies team playfully teases Rio because he considers himself to be an “epicure”—someone with a refined palate and appreciation of high-quality food. In what ways does he regularly contradict this?

12. Based on what you learn through reading London Calling and your impressions of the City Spies throughout the series so far, how would you describe each member of the team? How have they each grown and changed in their time together?

13. After Cairo tells her that he loves his new siblings, Annie tells him, “‘That makes me very happy.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) Does this surprise you? Why does knowing that her brother believes the other City Spies are his family matter so much to Annie?

14. Consider the events of London Calling: What are some of the ways in which Clementine’s actions prove that all is not as it has appeared to the team? Do you think they should trust her? Why or why not?

15. As Annie volunteers to help her brother on the next stage of the mission, Mother tells her, “‘You have made it clear that you want no part of this.’” (Chapter twenty-eight) What does Annie have to gain by assisting on this mission?

16. Given the infiltration of FARM, why do Brooklyn and Monty believe they need to destroy Beny, a Cray XC40 supercomputer used by MI6 for code-breaking and analysis? While destroying it means a loss for everyone, especially as the supercomputer is such a vital tool for the team, how is this a huge sacrifice for Brooklyn?

17. After Brooklyn is forced to destroy the supercomputer to protect the City Spies team, she believes that the texts she receives from Beny are either delayed sent messages or spoofing messages from Umbra, or even that Beny somehow survived and is rebuilding himself. Do you believe that last option to be a possible explanation? Why or why not? What do you think these texts mean for the future?

18. When Quill kicks the City Spies out of their safe house, Mother tells him, “‘I get that you’re embarrassed . . . because grown men who you personally trained were unable to keep up with a group of kids. . . . So if you’re angry, take it out on me. Not them.’” (Chapter thirty) How do you feel about Quill’s reaction? In what ways is it surprising?

19. When Mother, Robert, and Annie finally get to see Clementine, she tells them “‘the key to survival is situational awareness.’” (Chapter thirty-two) In what ways does Clementine’s advice ultimately pay off for them?

20. Considering the conclusion of London Calling, what do you predict will happen in the next installment of City Spies? In what significant ways have things changed for the team?

Extension Activities

Istanbul. For part of the mission the City Spies undertake in this novel, they go undercover in Istanbul, Turkiye to try to locate Annie, who is Mother’s daughter and Cairo’s sister. First, using library and trusted internet resources, have students begin to discover what makes Istanbul so special. According to interest, have readers pair up to select one of the following aspects of Istanbul to research:

o Uniqueness of geographic location

o Hagia Sophia

o Blue Mosque

o Population statistics

o City on the Seven Hills

o Grand Bazaar

After their research is complete, allow them to share their findings in a manner of their choice.

Supercomputers. In London Calling, readers learn that MI6 is part of the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance which pools resources and shares classified information; part of that work is done by supercomputers like Beny as part of a system called Stonehenge Computer Cluster. Have readers begin learning more by watching this introductory video on supercomputers: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xHoWwxdlms

Next watch this CNBC piece on the race to build the fastest supercomputer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utsi6h7IFPs

After watching these videos, have students research more about different aspects of supercomputers and their usage and potential, using library and trusted internet resources. After reading and investigating, ask students to present their most interesting discoveries.

Foreign Intelligence Agencies. As the City Spies work on their case, they learn that their agency has joined a team called the Five Eyes, an intelligence alliance of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This alliance is dedicated to sharing classified information with one another.

Have readers begin by doing a search, using trusted internet sources, for foreign intelligence agencies. Have them select one from the five mentioned in the novel or from a country of choice, and have them research to learn what information is available for that agency. After completing their research, have students share their new knowledge with their peers via a PowerPoint or slideshow presentation.

Rome. When their work on Operation Breadcrumbs takes them to Rome, the City Spies split up and explore the ancient city as they attempt to locate Annie. They ultimately get assistance from Barbara, a top-notch Roman tour guide. Working in small groups, begin by having readers do some sleuthing of their own to identify the best sites to see and best things to experience in Rome in a single day. Taking what they’ve individually discovered, have each group create an “Ultimate Day in Rome” guide to be shared with other groups, being sure they include food and snacks, best shopping experiences, and any other not-to-be-missed site or activity. Consider bonus credit for students creating a temporary travel website for this one-day trip, or a printed trifold pamphlet.

Famous Double Agents. In the novel, readers discover that Clementine was working as a double agent as a means to secure information about Umbra. Begin by learning more about notable US spies here: https://www.cnn.com/2014/06/09/us/imprisoned-u-s-spies---fast-facts/index.html

Next, using a variety of research resources, have students dig deeply to learn more about famous double agents, selecting an agent of interest and doing further research to learn the following:

o Why did this individual become a double agent?

o What countries/organizations did this spy work for?

o What were the outcomes of their work?

o What do you believe their greatest challenges were?

After finishing, have students share what they learned about this individual.

Royal Weddings. For the Operation Abbey Road mission, the City Spies are assigned to assist MI6 more directly to help find weak areas of security for the country-wide celebration of a royal wedding. Have readers learn more by learning about the following:

o Why are royal weddings such a grand occasion?

o Why are they often during the week and during the day?

o Where is the wedding traditionally held?

o How do the bride and groom travel between venues and why is it important?

o What must the bride and groom wear?

o What other interesting facts did you uncover?

After they finish, allow time for discussion of their findings.

This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock. Rose is an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University and holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.

This guide has been provided by Simon & Schuster for classroom, library, and reading group use. It may be reproduced in its entirety or excerpted for these purposes.