Common Sense Media Review
By Mary Eisenhart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Peril, loss, reunions for spy kids in heart-filled episode.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
LONDON CALLING finds the City Spies kids, their mentor/dad "Mother," and a raft of MI6 experts racing to head off whatever trouble international crime syndicate Umbra has planned for an upcoming royal wedding. Meanwhile in Istanbul, Annie, Mother's long-lost 15-year-old daughter who's been on the lam with her spy mom Clementine for some years now, finds herself pursued by goons, escapes brilliantly, and completely vanishes. Which forces Clementine to reach out to the husband she last left to die in a burning building in hopes of keeping Annie safe. Annie, it turns out, is pretty resourceful. So is her younger brother Robert, now known as City Spy Cairo, who's quite sure she's left him a trail and is determined to follow it.
Is It Any Good?
The City Spies kids race to foil terrorist plans for a royal wedding amid an unexpected family reunion, a poignant loss, and a lot of questions in this thrill-, puzzle-, and heart-filled episode. London Calling is set mostly in the British capital, but the mission takes them to Istanbul, Paris, Rome, Scotland, and more in search of answers, and once again the kids and teens have moments to shine, and also to grapple with difficulties. Lots of history, math, science, codes, and more. Not to mention some hugely cheer-worthy (and sometimes hilarious) moments of triumph against an overwhelming onslaught of evildoers.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about spy stories like London Calling. Why do you think spies and spycraft are such popular storytelling themes? Are there any stories you think deal with it especially well?
Does reading stories like the City Spies series make you want to visit some of the cities where the adventures take place? Where would you like to go first, and what would you do there?
Is there good public transit where you live? Do you like to just ride around and see the different sights sometimes? Are there any trains, buses, or streetcars you especially like?
Would you say that the City Spies communicate well? How does this affect the way they work as a team?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Adventure
- Topics : Adventures , Family Stories ( Siblings ) , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Communication , Courage , Empathy , Humility , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Aladdin
- Publication date : February 4, 2025
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 8 - 12
- Number of pages : 400
- Available on : Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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