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City of Spies
Mystery, intrigue, and pastries abound in this World War II spy tale
Evelyn typically satisfies her longing for adventure with the help of a pencil and a sheet of paper. But when she makes a new friend, Tony, she's happy to abandon her art for a real-life search for spies. When the two accidentally uncover a genuine mystery, it looks like Evelyn might end up in the kind of adventure she writes in her comics!
Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, and Pascal Dizin present a period piece that creates an inviting world you won't want to resist.
Evelyn typically satisfies her longing for adventure with the help of a pencil and a sheet of paper. But when she makes a new friend, Tony, she's happy to abandon her art for a real-life search for spies. When the two accidentally uncover a genuine mystery, it looks like Evelyn might end up in the kind of adventure she writes in her comics!
Susan Kim, Laurence Klavan, and Pascal Dizin present a period piece that creates an inviting world you won't want to resist.
176 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
3 people are currently reading
304 people want to read
About the author
Susan Kim
38 books42 followersSusan Kim & Laurence Klavan cowrote the graphic novels City of Spies and Brain Camp. Susan is also a five-time Emmy nominee for her work in children's television and a Writers Guild Award winner for best documentary. She wrote the stage adaptation of Amy Tan's The Joy Luck Club, teaches writing at Goddard College, and is a blogger for the Huffington Post. When Susan was little, her family spent a lot of time on the road. Susan enjoyed it, but it made her anxious. In Wanderers, Susan explores her worst fears about being far from home and having to rely on people you don't even know, much less trust.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
January 26, 2017
****SPOILER ALERT****
This book was a very interesting graphic novel, it was about Nazi German spies secretly roaming New York City. This book would fall into the action, adventure, and mystery sections. The main character: Evelyn is a girl that had a bumpy road of life, her mother died after marrying her dad. After that her dad started marrying other women as a business man, leaving poor Evelyn to stay at her Aunt's apartment in New York City. Evelyn also wrote comics about her own fantasy characters called Zirconium man and his sidekick Scooter also known as Evelyn. Knowing that someday Evelyn would become a hero, she met a boy named Tony and together the two go through a adventurous journey to uncover the secrets of the Nazis in New York City.
This story (as you know) took place in New York City where the Nazis and America are at war, but later maybe two little kids will end it through dramatic events. I would say this story is Person vs. Person since America and the Nazis are at war. I would also say that the major theme for this story is problem and Solution because once again since America and the Nazis are at war, there was a solution to the problem.
I have analyzed that one major event that changed the character the character was that Evelyn's mom died and her dad married other women. With that being said, Evelyn's dad got divorced 7 times and is now with someone, plus her dad was a busy business man. As a business man he didn't want to get to get humiliated by anybody and do anything to get rid of the problem. Evelyn at least tries to find the fun in her Aunt's place.
My overall opinion with this book was that I was surprised that this book was about Nazi spies. it surprised me because I learned more about the Nazis and German people. The sentence that brought up this cool subject was "You're talking about Americans who be German. It's not their fault what's going on in Germany." Another sentence that surprised me was "So what? I bet you're a Nazi... 'cause my uncle says all Germans are Nazis."
In Conclusion, I'd rate this book a 4/5 stars. I would recommend it to people who are interested in the history of Nazis. Finally, I'd like to say how amazing the information this book gives us was, it made me think more about what were Nazis?... but for now that question for me stays unquestioned. Hopefully you find this book interesting too.
This book was a very interesting graphic novel, it was about Nazi German spies secretly roaming New York City. This book would fall into the action, adventure, and mystery sections. The main character: Evelyn is a girl that had a bumpy road of life, her mother died after marrying her dad. After that her dad started marrying other women as a business man, leaving poor Evelyn to stay at her Aunt's apartment in New York City. Evelyn also wrote comics about her own fantasy characters called Zirconium man and his sidekick Scooter also known as Evelyn. Knowing that someday Evelyn would become a hero, she met a boy named Tony and together the two go through a adventurous journey to uncover the secrets of the Nazis in New York City.
This story (as you know) took place in New York City where the Nazis and America are at war, but later maybe two little kids will end it through dramatic events. I would say this story is Person vs. Person since America and the Nazis are at war. I would also say that the major theme for this story is problem and Solution because once again since America and the Nazis are at war, there was a solution to the problem.
I have analyzed that one major event that changed the character the character was that Evelyn's mom died and her dad married other women. With that being said, Evelyn's dad got divorced 7 times and is now with someone, plus her dad was a busy business man. As a business man he didn't want to get to get humiliated by anybody and do anything to get rid of the problem. Evelyn at least tries to find the fun in her Aunt's place.
My overall opinion with this book was that I was surprised that this book was about Nazi spies. it surprised me because I learned more about the Nazis and German people. The sentence that brought up this cool subject was "You're talking about Americans who be German. It's not their fault what's going on in Germany." Another sentence that surprised me was "So what? I bet you're a Nazi... 'cause my uncle says all Germans are Nazis."
In Conclusion, I'd rate this book a 4/5 stars. I would recommend it to people who are interested in the history of Nazis. Finally, I'd like to say how amazing the information this book gives us was, it made me think more about what were Nazis?... but for now that question for me stays unquestioned. Hopefully you find this book interesting too.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 12, 2017
This is a story about two kids in New York in 1940(ish) from very different backgrounds (familial and class), both in need of a friend, who meet and connect and together navigate the complexities of childhood in a world in which adults are pretty messy. Also they get drawn into the world of WWII-related fear of spies and intrigue.
In some ways I was closer to a three than a four star rating on this one, but I liked the way people are messy and not idealized. The way the relationships evolve and people learn and grow. And though the spy element in here is a bit silly/far-fetched, it also allows the kids some agency and adventure and it was nice to see a strong female protagonist.
There are a lot of good reviews of this book.
Here's one I really like for its contextualization https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
My main complaint about City of Spies is that the super hero element (comic within a comic) isn't more developed and integrated with the story. It's kind of brought up in the beginning and mostly dropped. Had that been attended to and developed I think it would have added some depth and fullness to the world being created here.
In some ways I was closer to a three than a four star rating on this one, but I liked the way people are messy and not idealized. The way the relationships evolve and people learn and grow. And though the spy element in here is a bit silly/far-fetched, it also allows the kids some agency and adventure and it was nice to see a strong female protagonist.
There are a lot of good reviews of this book.
Here's one I really like for its contextualization https://www.goodreads.com/review/show....
My main complaint about City of Spies is that the super hero element (comic within a comic) isn't more developed and integrated with the story. It's kind of brought up in the beginning and mostly dropped. Had that been attended to and developed I think it would have added some depth and fullness to the world being created here.
May 13, 2010
During the early days the U.S. was involved in Word War II, Americans became obsessed with the thought that spies were among them, secreting away information that would aid the enemy and defeat the Allies. In New York, people were suspicious of Germans in general, and many thought it was their patriotic duty to keep an eye on German citizens.
This is the setting for City of Spies, a new graphic novel by Susan Kim and Laurance Klavan, with artwork by Pascal Dizin. Evelyn has arrived to spend the summer with her Aunt Lia in New York while her father spends time with his new wife. An only child, Evelyn has known a series of stepmothers since her own mother died years before. To help pass the time, she draws action adventures for the superhero she creates, Zirconium Man, and she is his sidekick, Scooter.
Aunt Lia’s artistic lifestyle doesn’t accommodate Evelyn very well, but she doesn’t mind as much after she meets the building superintendent’s son, Tony. Together, they decide to have an adventure and catch a spy. They soon discover that just because someone has a German background, it doesn’t mean he’s stealing secrets and working with the enemy. When they stumble on a real plot, they decide to follow it through and foil the bad guys themselves.
City of Spies does a great job of exploring the imagined and real dangers of the early 1940s while focusing on issues such as friendship, family relationships, and loneliness for both children and adults. It also brings to life two fantasies common among children: being a superhero and catching a spy. As in all good graphic novels, much of the plot and action are carried through by the artwork, and Dizin’s drawings are the perfect accompaniment to Kim and Klavan’s words. A mother-daughter book club with girls aged 13 and up would be able to discuss the historic era and how graphic novels in general differ from reading a regular novel.
This is the setting for City of Spies, a new graphic novel by Susan Kim and Laurance Klavan, with artwork by Pascal Dizin. Evelyn has arrived to spend the summer with her Aunt Lia in New York while her father spends time with his new wife. An only child, Evelyn has known a series of stepmothers since her own mother died years before. To help pass the time, she draws action adventures for the superhero she creates, Zirconium Man, and she is his sidekick, Scooter.
Aunt Lia’s artistic lifestyle doesn’t accommodate Evelyn very well, but she doesn’t mind as much after she meets the building superintendent’s son, Tony. Together, they decide to have an adventure and catch a spy. They soon discover that just because someone has a German background, it doesn’t mean he’s stealing secrets and working with the enemy. When they stumble on a real plot, they decide to follow it through and foil the bad guys themselves.
City of Spies does a great job of exploring the imagined and real dangers of the early 1940s while focusing on issues such as friendship, family relationships, and loneliness for both children and adults. It also brings to life two fantasies common among children: being a superhero and catching a spy. As in all good graphic novels, much of the plot and action are carried through by the artwork, and Dizin’s drawings are the perfect accompaniment to Kim and Klavan’s words. A mother-daughter book club with girls aged 13 and up would be able to discuss the historic era and how graphic novels in general differ from reading a regular novel.
February 7, 2015
omg love. I think this graphic novel was actually written for me. In 1942, poor little rich girl Evelyn has been tossed to her aunt for the summer while her father goes off on his sixth honeymoon. She entertains herself by drawing a series of comics that star her as the intrepid side-kick before she meets Tony and they start investigating mysteries. They actually do stumble into a ring of Nazi saboteurs and work to save the day, with the help of Evelyn's aunt and a depressed cop. Mysteries, great clothes and a dash of romance for the kids and adults. Love love love.
Now, is this for fourth graders, as the reviews indicate? Uh. Probably not. I can't actually get a read on the intended age, honestly. I don't think high schoolers want to read about ten year olds, and parents of middle schoolers might raise eyebrows at the affairs and sex (brief visual references to Evelyn's aunt sleeping around, as well as the bad guy doorman being caught in bed with a mistress). I kind of think this was actually directed at people who were 10 and reading comics in the 1940s, since it mimics the style so beautifully. But then again, 5th/6th graders would probably really dig the mystery and adventure aspect of it, especially Evelyn and Tony's part of it.
Meanwhile, I adore it, possibly even enough to get my own copy.
Now, is this for fourth graders, as the reviews indicate? Uh. Probably not. I can't actually get a read on the intended age, honestly. I don't think high schoolers want to read about ten year olds, and parents of middle schoolers might raise eyebrows at the affairs and sex (brief visual references to Evelyn's aunt sleeping around, as well as the bad guy doorman being caught in bed with a mistress). I kind of think this was actually directed at people who were 10 and reading comics in the 1940s, since it mimics the style so beautifully. But then again, 5th/6th graders would probably really dig the mystery and adventure aspect of it, especially Evelyn and Tony's part of it.
Meanwhile, I adore it, possibly even enough to get my own copy.
November 29, 2011
Raina Telgemeier told me to read it.
///
I really enjoyed this. It's very much in the style of Tintin, and features a young woman who likes to draw herself as a superhero sidekick. There are daddy issues, there's an aunt who parties too much, there's class warfare.
The anti-spy propaganda was pretty intense, so much so that it made me think about the later anti-communist crusades. Which made me a bit uncomfortable. And made me hope that someone's using this in a classroom and bringing up those issues.
But a really engaging, old fashioned adventure story all told.
///
I really enjoyed this. It's very much in the style of Tintin, and features a young woman who likes to draw herself as a superhero sidekick. There are daddy issues, there's an aunt who parties too much, there's class warfare.
The anti-spy propaganda was pretty intense, so much so that it made me think about the later anti-communist crusades. Which made me a bit uncomfortable. And made me hope that someone's using this in a classroom and bringing up those issues.
But a really engaging, old fashioned adventure story all told.
December 18, 2020
A lovely surprise this: Kim and Klavan just add enough threat and drama and menace to the plot to make the stakes genuinely high (the Jewish plot is particularly nicely done as are the panicky tendrils in Evelyn’s fantasy sequences, which I read as a nicely understated link to her mother’s early death) but also still very suitable for young readers. And Dizin’s art is wonderful, the best Herge clear line tribute since Garen Ewing’s Julius Chancer books: the same panic sweat beads that Herge uses, the same mysterious dense foliage and mysterious country houses with suspicious butlers and terrible spies. It also manages to remember that the Tintin books can be extraordinarily dark at times and utilises that in the plot so it has enough tension for young and old writers. It’s also nicely open ended and genuinely makes me want to read more of these characters’ adventures. Less a straight tribute than a salute to a beloved comic character with a plot and richly drawn cast that even Herge would have enjoyed
April 4, 2018
This book is a blast, and definitely recommended. It stars two kids, about ten years old - one of whom has come to New York to live with her aunt, and the only other kid in the building, an imaginative little boy. The girl draws comics about her adventures alongside a superhero, and the boy imagines he sees Nazi spies everywhere. (It's 1942 in the book, so it's understandable.) Then, of course, they uncover a real plot and have to piece it all together and convince the adults. The girl's aunt and a young police officer play major supporting roles. Dizin has a nice, open Tintin-like art style, and Kim and Klavan pack each page full of information. The whole thing is really fun, very appropriate for younger readers, but smartly paced and surprising enough for adults as well.
April 18, 2024
This is a charming, quick little read I found at an airport while stuck due to cancelled flights. It is definitely the book to read while having to go from gate to gate hoping to get on a next flight, as it is in clear segments and easy to get in and out of when you have to put it down quickly.
It did, however, leave a lot of gaps. I don't know if this was part of the editing process, but I feel like another 50 pages of detail would have filled a few holes without bogging down the storyline.
It did, however, leave a lot of gaps. I don't know if this was part of the editing process, but I feel like another 50 pages of detail would have filled a few holes without bogging down the storyline.
January 18, 2018
OMG BEST BOOK EVAH!!!!!!! Everyone interested in spies and mystery should read this!!!!!!
January 1, 2019
It's a fun read and cool retro cartooning.
March 21, 2010
Reason for Reading: The old-style drawings, and superhero story set in WWII intrigued me.
Summary: It is 1942, Evelyn's mother has died, her father is a busy man with better things to do than look after a child, so she now lives with her rich Bohemian partying artist aunt who hasn't a clue about children. Evelyn spends her spare time drawing comics about Zirconium Man and his sidekick Scooter who fight against Nazis and a black ooze-like monster. But in real life Evelyn meets the building janitor's son Tony and they find themselves on the track of real life Nazi spies in their own neighbourhood.
Comment: Wonderful story that brings back the olden days of comics. Starting with the art, one thing I really appreciated is that when Evelyn is drawing her comic it is presented in the old-style where you can see the colour is made up of little dots and the type is all text. Then when the switch is made to the present story we've got a Tin-Tin style of art with modern colour techniques and a normal lowercase type with caps where they should be. These easily helps the reader know whether they are reading the main story or Evelyn's comic book and the device is just a lot of fun.
Growing up reading old Superman comics I found at garage sales I really had fun with Evelyn's comic story and when Zirconium Man and Scooter were surrounded be reporters I'll eat my hat if I didn't see Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen in a few panes. Lots of humour along with olden by golden Superhero cheese.
The main story is full of adventure and humour as the daring children (age 10) set off following clues to what they are sure is a Nazi spy ring. Only they have a few false alarms causing the police and grown-ups not to believe them. One of these episodes is leaving me on the fence as to what age ground I'd recommend the book for. The book is perfectly safe reading with only a tiny bit of innuendo that could be read by ages 10 and up assuming they have some idea as to WWII and the Nazis but there is one scene where a "spy" ends up being a man cheating on his wife and they show a few frames of a matronly-looking woman in bra and slip on a bed with man in a vest and boxers. There is also an artist sketching scene showing the back of a nude model and a side view which shows the slightest little bre*st bump. Parents should be aware of this to decide on the suitability for their own children. Older teens are not going to be terribly interested in the 10yo protagonists.
Other than the main spy story plot, there is also a back story of the aunt who develops from being an irresponsible child caretaker with a somewhat dubious past to someone who finds a wholesome new romance and learns that she does really is up to the challenge of her niece's well-being.
A fun book, with quite a few story layers, humour and bold, colourful art. Recommended.
Summary: It is 1942, Evelyn's mother has died, her father is a busy man with better things to do than look after a child, so she now lives with her rich Bohemian partying artist aunt who hasn't a clue about children. Evelyn spends her spare time drawing comics about Zirconium Man and his sidekick Scooter who fight against Nazis and a black ooze-like monster. But in real life Evelyn meets the building janitor's son Tony and they find themselves on the track of real life Nazi spies in their own neighbourhood.
Comment: Wonderful story that brings back the olden days of comics. Starting with the art, one thing I really appreciated is that when Evelyn is drawing her comic it is presented in the old-style where you can see the colour is made up of little dots and the type is all text. Then when the switch is made to the present story we've got a Tin-Tin style of art with modern colour techniques and a normal lowercase type with caps where they should be. These easily helps the reader know whether they are reading the main story or Evelyn's comic book and the device is just a lot of fun.
Growing up reading old Superman comics I found at garage sales I really had fun with Evelyn's comic story and when Zirconium Man and Scooter were surrounded be reporters I'll eat my hat if I didn't see Clark Kent and Jimmy Olsen in a few panes. Lots of humour along with olden by golden Superhero cheese.
The main story is full of adventure and humour as the daring children (age 10) set off following clues to what they are sure is a Nazi spy ring. Only they have a few false alarms causing the police and grown-ups not to believe them. One of these episodes is leaving me on the fence as to what age ground I'd recommend the book for. The book is perfectly safe reading with only a tiny bit of innuendo that could be read by ages 10 and up assuming they have some idea as to WWII and the Nazis but there is one scene where a "spy" ends up being a man cheating on his wife and they show a few frames of a matronly-looking woman in bra and slip on a bed with man in a vest and boxers. There is also an artist sketching scene showing the back of a nude model and a side view which shows the slightest little bre*st bump. Parents should be aware of this to decide on the suitability for their own children. Older teens are not going to be terribly interested in the 10yo protagonists.
Other than the main spy story plot, there is also a back story of the aunt who develops from being an irresponsible child caretaker with a somewhat dubious past to someone who finds a wholesome new romance and learns that she does really is up to the challenge of her niece's well-being.
A fun book, with quite a few story layers, humour and bold, colourful art. Recommended.
May 28, 2014
CITY OF SPYS
Did you ever want to be a spy? The genre of the book is historic fiction. I thought this book was very funny and interesting book. The book is mostly about a girl who is Jewish and her dad is very mean. Then she stays with her aunt for a while and her aunt is very mean and ignores her then she warms up to her and has fun with her.
The book is about a girl named Evelyn who is Jewish and stays with her aunt and her aunt pays no attention to her then later on she warms up to her. Then she makes friends with a boy named Tony and they try to help find nazi spy's and end up getting in trouble with the real spy and almost get killed. The setting of the book is in 1942 in Germany. Evelyn wants to help the police with the nazi spy's but then it was just a fake so she got in trouble then she help again an she really help this time . The conflict is person vs people because she is going against the spy's. Tony is a kid that is not very smart because he didn't really go to school. Evelyn is a girl who is Jewish and very shy.
I liked the way the author put in Evelyn's comics and story's. I was surprised when then spy killed the under cover cop. I was angry when the author didn't show more of the comics I liked those. I was moved by the way the author put all the details. I was satisfied when they ended up getting to bad guys.
I liked this book because it tells you how it was back then in a funny way. This book reminds me of the book called like maus. Then I connects to my life by me doing pranks like tony. Also I liked it because it was very cool on what they did to bomb the people with water balloons. Then when tony just started to hit the pipe and broke it.
I thought the book was very funny and cool on how they showed Evelyn's drawings. I rate the book a 10. It is really funny and cool. I would recommend this book to people who like historical fiction comic books. That's what this book is about.
Did you ever want to be a spy? The genre of the book is historic fiction. I thought this book was very funny and interesting book. The book is mostly about a girl who is Jewish and her dad is very mean. Then she stays with her aunt for a while and her aunt is very mean and ignores her then she warms up to her and has fun with her.
The book is about a girl named Evelyn who is Jewish and stays with her aunt and her aunt pays no attention to her then later on she warms up to her. Then she makes friends with a boy named Tony and they try to help find nazi spy's and end up getting in trouble with the real spy and almost get killed. The setting of the book is in 1942 in Germany. Evelyn wants to help the police with the nazi spy's but then it was just a fake so she got in trouble then she help again an she really help this time . The conflict is person vs people because she is going against the spy's. Tony is a kid that is not very smart because he didn't really go to school. Evelyn is a girl who is Jewish and very shy.
I liked the way the author put in Evelyn's comics and story's. I was surprised when then spy killed the under cover cop. I was angry when the author didn't show more of the comics I liked those. I was moved by the way the author put all the details. I was satisfied when they ended up getting to bad guys.
I liked this book because it tells you how it was back then in a funny way. This book reminds me of the book called like maus. Then I connects to my life by me doing pranks like tony. Also I liked it because it was very cool on what they did to bomb the people with water balloons. Then when tony just started to hit the pipe and broke it.
I thought the book was very funny and cool on how they showed Evelyn's drawings. I rate the book a 10. It is really funny and cool. I would recommend this book to people who like historical fiction comic books. That's what this book is about.
September 8, 2011
During the early 1940s, Evelyn has to stay in New York with an aunt she hardly knows while her father goes off on his latest honeymoon. To distract herself, Evelyn works on her comic about the heroic Zirconium Man and his loyal sidekick Scooter (who looks an awful lot like Evelyn), who uncover Nazi plots and save the day. Much to her surprise, she and her friend Tony stumble onto a real Nazi plot! Will anyone believe two kids?
Evelyn's aunt Lia reminded me a bit of Auntie Mame, but way less fun. Don't worry, Lia improves over the course of the story. Much like Auntie Mame, she's all free and artsy and has fabulous parties. Unlike Auntie Mame, she handles having a kid dumped on her by pretty much ignoring her and doing what she always does.
Evelyn, bored and lonely, draws her comics. It made me a little sad that she didn't make herself the hero of the comics. She made herself the sidekick. In her comic, Scooter has a moment, when Zirconium Man has been captured, that Scooter cries she doesn't know what she can do, but then ends up saving the day. Evelyn reflects this in real life too. She realizes she doesn't have to be a sidekick or be afraid, she can save the day! With an assist from her friend Tony. At the end of the story, Evelyn is drawing a new comic, the story of Girl Archaeologist Evelyn Weiss and Intrepid Explorer Tony Vitucci, and in this one, they're partners. No one is the sidekick.
This was a fun read, but it wasn't deep or anything. It didn't go into the war, or have any kind of character development. It was just a quick, surface level adventure story with a clever and determined main character. Enjoyable to read, but not a lot of substance.
Evelyn's aunt Lia reminded me a bit of Auntie Mame, but way less fun. Don't worry, Lia improves over the course of the story. Much like Auntie Mame, she's all free and artsy and has fabulous parties. Unlike Auntie Mame, she handles having a kid dumped on her by pretty much ignoring her and doing what she always does.
Evelyn, bored and lonely, draws her comics. It made me a little sad that she didn't make herself the hero of the comics. She made herself the sidekick. In her comic, Scooter has a moment, when Zirconium Man has been captured, that Scooter cries she doesn't know what she can do, but then ends up saving the day. Evelyn reflects this in real life too. She realizes she doesn't have to be a sidekick or be afraid, she can save the day! With an assist from her friend Tony. At the end of the story, Evelyn is drawing a new comic, the story of Girl Archaeologist Evelyn Weiss and Intrepid Explorer Tony Vitucci, and in this one, they're partners. No one is the sidekick.
This was a fun read, but it wasn't deep or anything. It didn't go into the war, or have any kind of character development. It was just a quick, surface level adventure story with a clever and determined main character. Enjoyable to read, but not a lot of substance.
May 29, 2011
Susan Kim has a brilliant way of making you want to read what she writes twice. I read Brain Camp earlier this year, which is a pretty trippy and bizarre graphic novel—the first time through you're just thinking "what the heck is going on??" The second time through you realize how funny and brilliant it is. The same is certainly true for City of Spies.
The first time through, you're just caught up in the story—are they really going to find a real Nazi spy? What in the world is going on with her aunt and that cop? The second time through you can really appreciate how the book is stylized like a 1940s comic—how the characters are drawn as they were then, and the dream sequences are done in era. The whole book has a sense of camp to it that kind of makes you want to read more about comic books during World War II.
The only reason this isn't getting five stars is that, well, it's kind of hokey. I realize that's the point, but still. It's a bit silly—kids catching Nazi spies who hide microfilm in cake sprinkles wha?
The first time through, you're just caught up in the story—are they really going to find a real Nazi spy? What in the world is going on with her aunt and that cop? The second time through you can really appreciate how the book is stylized like a 1940s comic—how the characters are drawn as they were then, and the dream sequences are done in era. The whole book has a sense of camp to it that kind of makes you want to read more about comic books during World War II.
The only reason this isn't getting five stars is that, well, it's kind of hokey. I realize that's the point, but still. It's a bit silly—kids catching Nazi spies who hide microfilm in cake sprinkles wha?
July 29, 2011
City of Spies by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan is a graphic novel set in 1942 in a large city. Evelyn escapes reality by writing her own comic book in the style of Superman. Before she knows it she and her new friend Tony are in the middle of a spy plot that might involve Nazis.
The book opens with one of Evelyn's comics. For me it was an awkward start. The obvious homage to the golden era Superman felt somewhat forced especially out of context. Fortunately though the story of Evelyn moving into the city to temporarily live with her aunt and her adventures with Tony makes up for the awkward start.
Later instances of Evelyn's hero comic make sense. They are placed in the context of her story and we can see where she draws her inspiration.
Although I found the first couple pages a rough start, the rest of the book more than made up for it.
The book opens with one of Evelyn's comics. For me it was an awkward start. The obvious homage to the golden era Superman felt somewhat forced especially out of context. Fortunately though the story of Evelyn moving into the city to temporarily live with her aunt and her adventures with Tony makes up for the awkward start.
Later instances of Evelyn's hero comic make sense. They are placed in the context of her story and we can see where she draws her inspiration.
Although I found the first couple pages a rough start, the rest of the book more than made up for it.
July 22, 2010
A graphic novel that I reserved and read with the idea to see if I should add it to the teen collection. From the cover it looks like its for younger children but after reading it I'm not really sure of the intended audience. During WWII a neglected rich girl is sent to live with her aunt in an apartment house in New York city. Her aunt is an artist with no experience with children. Evelyn creates cartoon fantasies to deal with her loneliness. Soon she becomes friends with the son of the building's janitor and they decide to search for Nazi spies and actually come across a spy ring. A couple of the situations depicted make this questionable for younger readers but maybe they wouldn't realize what was going on.
September 20, 2010
Nothing too earth shaking about this comic book for middle schoolers, but it's an enjoyable way to spend a little time. It has the usual First Second quality--great color and fine design, and a clever premise. Evelyn is an aspiring action comics artist in 40s Manhattan, foisted off on her eccentric aunt by a wealthy and absent dad. She fantasizes about catching German spies, and then really does. Along the way she forms a friendship with, and gets her first kiss from, her neighbor Tony. And she starts getting in touch with her Jewish identity. The nod to Herge helps, too. A good connection to World War II, which worked for me because I'm currently into Alan Furst's spy thrillers.
September 4, 2011
This is one of the most fun graphic novels I've read in a long while. I read it all in one sitting, which is super rare for me even with shorter graphic novels. A perfect kids adventure story. I love all the characters, pacing, twists and turns. I even teared up a bit in some places! And the artwork is just unbelievably perfect. An obvious homage to Hergé's Tintin, Pascal Dizin really knocks it out of the park and doesn't cut any corners. All his designs are perfect and his environments make you want to run around and explore them. I can't wait to see more from him! And of course more graphic novels written by Susan Kim and Laurence Klavan!
October 9, 2010
Every kid wants to have superpowers, but Evelyn needs them more than most. Her father has dumped her on an aunt she barely knows while he goes honeymooning with his latest trophy wife. Evelyn draws superhero comics, portraying herself as Scooter, the sidekick of Zirconium Man, battling Nazi spies and diabolical baddies. But when it appears a real spy is in her midst, it's up to Evelyn and her friend Tony to muster some real courage and save the day. Funny and fast-paced, this mystery-thriller will appeal to a wide range of readers.
May 4, 2010
Lovers of Tin Tin are obsessed with this new graphic novel. I know because I have one in my house. This book has been read/reread daily since we bought it last Friday. I just now got a chance to read it. Evelyn is a young German-American spending the summer with her aunt in NYC. Lonely, imaginative, and creative, she creates a comic (yes a comic within a comic) of two super heroes, while making friends with a boy in the apartment building. The two end up having an adventure involving Nazi spies that is captivating and engaging to young readers.
June 2, 2010
I was conflicted about whether this jaunty WWII period piece was really for kids. Of course, the idea that comic-writing 12-year-olds could catch a real Nazi spy is definitely a kid-friendly plot. But the story also closely follows the lives of the protagonist's artsy aunt and the local cop who's entangled in the kids' schemes. Lots of action at the end, but I'm not sure the old-school art (how come the kids aren't on the cover?) and the forays into the adults' personal lives will appeal to the younger crowd.
January 9, 2011
Santa brought this graphic novel for Christmas. It's written for the 10ish age group but I loved it. There are enough sophisticated elements in the story to make it interesting to adults as well as young people. The artwork is top notch and evocative of the period--the late 30's, early 40's in which the story takes place. The story line is believable and the mystery well-written. The writers are pros--mystery and screen writers so you can't go wrong with this book either as an adult who loves graphic novels or for a young person.
June 13, 2010
Nice little graphic novel about two kids growing up in 1940's New York, who are convinced there are spies in their neighborhood and along way learn a lot about friendship, the city and the war, while having an adventure.
Great characters and an old fashioned kids mystery novel feel. The art reminds me of the Tintin comics.
Hope we get to read more adventures of these two kids and their further adventures.
Great characters and an old fashioned kids mystery novel feel. The art reminds me of the Tintin comics.
Hope we get to read more adventures of these two kids and their further adventures.
March 10, 2010
Not bad - reminiscent of Tintin in art style and its high adventure genre - two kids, Evelyn and Tony, have a thirst for mystery and adventure and uncover a Nazi spy plot. Still unsure who this book is for: it's a bit too nostalgic for kids and a bit too light and whimsical for adults but still a decent read.
January 19, 2011
Young Evelyn, sent to live with her bohemian aunt when her father takes his fourth wife, envisions saving the world as the sidekick to Zirconium Man. Her drawn adventures bring her friendship with the son of the maintenance man and draw them both into foiling the evil plans of Nazi spies in their Manhattan neighborhood. Illustrated in the style of the old Tintin comics.
December 6, 2013
There's some genuine entertainment here, a lot of it afforded by the take-off on the art and plot style of a 40's era comic book. There are also some huge holes in the plot, but I think that should be viewed as just part of the 40's era comic vibe - the plotting in those things wasn't exactly air-tight either.
May 2, 2014
Really stellar, a wonderful surprise. It starts out as a fun kids' cloak-and-dagger romp in wartime NYC, becomes about so much more (family struggles, parental neglect, art and redemption, etc.), and THEN gets back to the fun WWII-era adventures! Really a great piece of work, with wonderful Herge-ish/Joost Swarte-y fine-line drawing that makes the adventure so much greater. Big fan.
June 23, 2010
Quiet, lonely Evelyn draws superhero comics but never imagines she and her new friend Tony will have the chance to be heroes themselves when they uncover a plot by Nazi spies in their own neighborhood.
October 5, 2010
I loved this book. Wonderful for kids and adults alike. It is so much fun and is very well illustrated. I especially enjoyed the inserts of the comic book created by one of the characters. A clever way of helping us into the mind of a main character.
December 13, 2010
There was a lot to like about this book, but I felt that by the end I hadn't really cared for it much. The characters take typical paths and the ending felt rushed. I liked the art quite a bit and overall this isn't a bad story for kids interested in historical fiction or spies.
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