July: Roundup of Discussions

Before we get into great discussion with Holly, did you see all the threads from July? If not, check out the below. We had a blast with Ally. Thanks again for the great month, everyone!

Discussion about Only the Good Spy Young with Ally
Do you ever feel like a chameleon?
Friends who understand you
What's your codename?
Different points of view

Where would you travel?
Who can you trust?
What's your favorite place?
Forgiving past mistakes

What part of the mansion do you love?

Would you go to Gallagher Academy?

Extras
Welcome, Ally!
A guest blog from Ally
Photo with Book Chic

Things to know about Ally

The Soundtrack to Only The Good Spy Young
So you wanna be a spy? Check out the CIA

Postergirlz recommended reads

Thank You, Ally Carter!

Here's a big merci to the awesome Ally Carter for joining us at readergirlz this month!

We loved hearing stories about the Gallagher Girls (and guys) and spy school and secrets and lies! Ooh, intrigue.

Some highlights:

Ally's amazing guest blog!

Ally considers herself both "wishy-washy" and "adaptable." She's a chameleon!

Up next: Gallagher Girls 5 and Heist Society 2. HOORAY!

We've so loved having you here this month. Thank you, Ally!

Guest Blog: Kirsten Miller

This month's recommended reads include the Kiki Strike novels by Kirsten Miller. We postergirlz felt that Kiki and company would have great fun with the Gallagher Girls. (Can you imagine how awesome that team-up would be? If these were TV shows, I'd be hankering for a crossover episode!)

Today, Kirsten told me what this month's theme, Courage, means to her:

My favorite superhero has always been Batman because he wasn't born super. Unlike Superman or the X-Men, Batman is an average human being just like the rest of us. His skills aren't the result of toxic waste spill or a nip from a radioactive spider. Batman chooses to be super. It's that choice that sets him apart from the rest.

In my opinion, we all place far too much stock in the gifts we're granted at birth. Beauty, intelligence, wealth -- the world tells us these are the things that make us who we are. They play a role, no doubt, but far more important are the traits we develop as we grow older.

In other words, it's not what we're born with, it's who we eventually become that counts.

No one is born courageous. Impetuous, maybe. Reckless, perhaps. But you'll never meet a courageous toddler. They simply don't exist. You have to choose to be courageous. It isn't hard. Everyone over the age of five can do it. All it takes are two simple steps . . .

1. Listen to your gut. (It will almost always identify the right thing to do.)
2. Do what your gut tells you, no matter what the consequences may be.

It's that second step that stymies most people. They know what they should do, but they lack the intestinal fortitude to follow through. That's why we're so fascinated by stories of individuals who have risked their lives, their jobs, or their freedom to help others. They're exceptional. They do what the rest of us can—but won't.

I'm fortunate to have been raised by one of those people. My own mother may be the most courageous person I've ever met. She's never rescued anyone from a burning building or testified in court against murderous mobsters. Hers is an everyday sort of courage. She always stands up for the powerless. She never bows to convention. She will accept any challenge or take on any fight if she thinks it's the right thing to do. (And believe me, you don't want to fight my mamma.)

One of the proudest moments of my life was when my father told me I was, "brave and stupid, just like your mother." (If you knew my dad's sense of humor, you'd find that incredibly touching.)

Throughout her life, my mother has chosen to be courageous. From what I've seen, it hasn't been easy. And although it's a constant struggle, and I don't think I'm quite there yet, I will always try my best to follow her (and Batman's) example.

- Kirsten Miller

July: What will happen in Gallagher Girls 5?

Ally asks, "What do you think will happen in Gallagher Girls 5?"

July: Would You Go to Gallagher Academy?

Ally asks, "If you could go to the Gallagher Academy, would you? Even if it meant leaving your friends and family behind?"

July: What part of the mansion do you love?

Ally asks, "If, like Cammie, you knew every inch of the Gallagher Mansion and grounds, what part would be your favorite?"

Follow-up: What aspects of historical mansions/sights do you love most?

July: Spy Gadgets!

Ally asks, "If you could have any of the Gallagher Gadgets, which would you choose and why?"

Follow-up: What spy gadget would you most want to own?

Guest Blog: Jaclyn Moriarty

Readergirlz kindly invited me to write something for this blog - maybe on my latest book, they said, or my writing schedule, or on the theme of courage.

I'm a very indecisive girl. I couldn't choose. So I ended up doing all three.

My latest book: The Ghosts of Ashbury High is part of a series of connected books but it also stands alone. Some characters from The Year of Secret Assignments have starring roles, but there are also two new characters: scholarship students named Amelia and Riley who have mysterious pasts. I got the idea for the book when the foundations of a convicts barracks and lunatic asylum were uncovered just behind my parents' house. I had a lot of fun writing it, partly because I ate rocky road and drank apple-and-cinnamon tea. And the other night, when I was sick with a feverish flu, I became convinced that James Cameron should make a movie of this book. I was awake most of the night while my mind raced through a filmscript, and tried to figure out how to get in touch with James.

But that was just the fever. The book is nothing like a James Cameron film.

My writing schedule: It changes all the time. Used to be, I'd write into the night and sleep half the day. A lot of ideas came to me in the strange half-dreams of late morning. Then I had a baby and started writing whenever he slept. Now my baby's at preschool two days a week, and I start those days by walking to a café where I listen in to conversations, and read books that are connected to my current work. So, I'm working on a trilogy about the Kingdom of Cello at the moment, and I'm reading a novel about a cellist. In fact, my trilogy has nothing to do with the musical instrument, but I pretend to myself that this is research.

On the other days, a babysitter comes for the afternoons and I write upstairs while they play downstairs. Those are my favourite times - especially when I know they're baking cookies.

Courage: The other day I made an appointment to see my dentist. It was tricky to do because I couldn't remember his name. (It had been a while since I'd been to the dentist.) I had a feeling his first name was John, and I thought it was probably John Turturro or John Tarantula. But the first one's an actor, and the second one's a spider. Eventually, I called my sister - she goes to the same dentist - and then I made the appointment. Doing something that scares you, like going to the dentist – that takes some courage. But having to go through several steps to do it – including googling actors and spiders - now that is truly courageous.

- Jaclyn Moriarty

Jaclyn's novel The Year of Secret Assignments is one of this month's recommended reads. Check it out!

July Postergirlz Recommended Reads

Did you totally heart Only the Good Spy Young? Are you looking for more action-packed spy adventures? Check out these additional postergirlz recommends. They are great companion reads!

Fiction
The Kiki Strike books by Kirsten Miller
The Squad: Perfect Cover and Killer Spirit by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty
For Freedom: The Story of a French Spy by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Non-Fiction
Put on Your Crown: Life-Changing Moments on the Path to Queendom by Queen Latifah and Samantha Marshall
Gutsy Girls: Young Women Who Dare by Tina Schwager

Party It Up: A Gallagher Girls Gala!

Planning your own Gallagher Girls book group get-together? Here are some party ideas from featured author Ally Carter.

Invite: Send a coded message via covert means. (This invitation will self-destruct in three...two...)

Décor: Plaid, crests, swords, and cut-out letters

Food: Peanut M&Ms, "drugged" apples, crème Brule, and, of course, Evapopaper (perhaps phyllo dough could be used in such a way)

Movies & TV Shows: Alias, the Bourne movies, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Craft: Make a hair bow out of coordinating plaids; create a super secret book cover to hide your covert texts; hollow out an old lipstick tube or some other innocuous-looking container to form a secret carrying device; make a holder for all that dangerous/killer spaghetti.

July: Forgiving Past Mistakes

Ally asks, "Is Cammie foolish or kind for forgiving people for their past mistakes?"

Follow-up: Have you forgiven past mistakes? Why or why not?

July: So you wanna be a spy?

If you are a US citizen who truly wants to work in espionage, you may want to pursue a career with the CIA: Central Intelligence Agency. The CIA declares itself to be the nation's first line of defense.

If you're currently a high school student who wants to get a job in the CIA in the future, the Agency recommends that you "concentrate on improving your communication skills, specifically in writing and in speaking. Foreign language skills are a big plus, and you should have a strong academic record."

Anxious to begin your life as a spy? The Agency offers student work programs such as undergraduate student internships and graduate studies programs. Check out these student opportunities!

July: Who can you trust?

Ally asks, "Do you ever feel like you're not sure who you can trust? Can you understand how Cammie would feel that way?"

July: What's your favorite place?

Ally asks, "What is your favorite place that the Gallagher Girls have been?"

Follow-up: What's your favorite place in the world?

July: The Soundtrack to Only The Good Spy Young

Featured Author Ally Carter hand-picked songs for the playlist that accompanies Only the Good Spy Young this month (and how cool is that peek at the mix, left?). Listen to the full soundtrack with the player in the right-hand sidebar or in the July issue!

July: If you could dream big, where would you travel?

Ally asks, "If you had Macey's money (lots) and Bex's connections (many) and could go anywhere over your summer vacation, where would you go?"

July: Different Points of View

Ally asks, "How different do you think the Gallagher Girl books would be if they were told from Bex, Liz, or Macey's point of view?"

Follow-up: What books would you like to read from a different POV?

July: Fight the Fear

Cammie knows how to kick some butt in the Gallagher Girls books, and we should all be prepared to defend ourselves. That's why one of our July spotlights is on the Fight the Fear Campaign.

In July 2009, two women were attacked in their own home. Tragically, one of them, Teresa Butz, was killed; her partner courageously survived the attack. Shortly thereafter, the Fight the Fear Campaign was born.

Called "a quest for confidence through strength," this community-oriented violence prevention initiative provides free self-defense training and violence prevention education to women. The group is based in Seattle and hosts workshops which are open to all women. (Our own Liz Gallagher has attended; see her story here.)

Fight the Fear will be holding a workshop specifically for girls ages 11-17 on August 8th from 11 AM to 1 PM. To register, email info@fightthefearcampaign.org

If you attend this or other related events, please let us know! Email readergirlzdivas@gmail.com.

July: What's Your Codename?

Ally asks, "If you were a spy, what would your codename be?"

July: Things to Know About Featured Author Ally Carter

Favorite drink while you write: If I'm being good, water. If I'm being sorta good, iced tea with honey. If I'm being bad, Coke or Diet Coke.

Favorite library: Chanute Public Library, Chanute, KS

Place to write: For first drafts, probably a nice, quiet café. For rewrites, the office in my house.

Cure for writer's block: Napping. Or a matinee movie with excellent popcorn.

Author idol: A cross between Janet Evanovich, Rick Riordan, and Daniel Silva (and, yes, that is as weird as it sounds)

Other YA Novels:
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
Cross My Heart and Hope to Spy
Don't Judge a Girl by Her Cover
Only the Good Spy Young
Heist Society

Next up: Heist Society 2 (title and release date TBD)

Bonus: Check out gallaghergirls.com, which includes a video interview with Ally! And read more about Ally in this month's issue of readergirlz.