Book Review: Missing Since Monday by Ann M. Martin

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Missing Since Monday by Ann M. Martin follows Maggie and her older brother when their father and stepmother leave on a long-delayed honeymoon, trusting the siblings to care for their four-year-old half sister, Courtenay. When Courtenay fails to come home from daycare one Monday afternoon, Maggie and her brother are thrust into a frightening mystery. With no adults around to help, they must piece together what happened and find a way to alert their parents before it’s too late. This standalone novel for readers ages eight to twelve was one I completely missed as a kid, but as an adult and a longtime fan of Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club  series, I couldn’t resist picking it up. The first chapter or two felt a bit choppy to me at first, but once the story found its footing, everything began to come together nicely . Because this is a short children’s book, the characters aren’t deeply developed, which is to be expected. That said, Martin does an excellent job conveying Maggie’...
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Book Review: The Model Spy by Maryka Biaggio

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book review the model spy maryka biaggio

The Model Spy by Maryka Biaggio is based on the true story of Toto Koopman, model turned spy. As a spy for the British Intelligence Service, Toto was part of the Italian Resistance in World War Two and had to face off with the German Intelligence Service.

A big thanks goes out to NetGalley and Milford House Press for the digital Advanced Readers Copy of The Model Spy by Maryka Biaggio. I was honored to be selected to read this book ahead of publication.

Not knowing anything about Toto Koopman before reading this book, I was in awe and shock to learn about her life. Even though the subject matter is difficult, this account of Toto's work in the Italian Resistance was a compelling read, and I was eager to finish The Model Spy to find out the fate of this courageous woman.

This historical fiction novel definitely gave me a different look into WWII that I never learned about in school. Everyone knows about Anne Frank thanks to her diary being published, and it's an important read, but I think the story of Toto Koopman is just as important. I definitely think The Model Spy should be required reading for high school students. Five out of five stars is what I give The Model Spy by Maryka Biaggio.

 

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