The Secret Life of Kitty Granger

"The Secret Life of Kitty Granger" by G.D. Falksen centers around a neurodivergent working-class teenager in London in the 1960s. Kitty has always been considered a bit odd - she hates crowds, hates noise, has trouble with physical contact, and is very observant and aware of anything out of place. She has left school and works in her father's shop. A chance encounter with a Russian spy ring gives her the opportunity to work as a spy for Her Majesty's government, where these same personality quirks may let her help save the country from a political conspiracy intended to take over the government!

The book has quite a lot of action and adventure, and there definitely is a bit of violence, including some violent death. So trigger warnings for that! I picked up pretty quickly that Kitty was probably on the autism spectrum, but this is never explicitly stated in the novel itself. This is not an oversight but a deliberate omission; the Author's Note at the end of the book explains why this is the case. The book also includes a number of Topics for Discussion that could be used in the classroom, or for a book club, or even for parents to discuss the book with their kids.

I believe that this book fills a definite gap in the YA literature. The number of YA books with disabled protagonists is still fairly limited, and there are even fewer that focus on neurodivergent characters. My knowledge of the topic is limited but to me it felt as if Kitty was treated respectfully. I loved that the same personality traits that caused her problems throughout her life also made her a much better spy!

I found this book to be a fun and quick read - it really grabbed my attention and I definitely enjoyed reading it. I sincerely hope the author is planning a sequel (or five!) because I want to know what Kitty does next! I'm seriously considering purchasing a hard copy of this book when it is published.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me a free e-copy of this book.

The representation in this book was phenomenal and I can't believe I hadn't heard about this sooner! I really connected with our main character Kitty and I absolutely adored this story.
Is there going to be a second book because I definitely see potential for more stories here.

If anyone knows anything about me, they know I love all things espionage! This book was right up my alley and I had been hoping to receive a galley when I requested- and (obviously) I did! This is perfect for fans of Black Widow and the Gallagher Girls series! I loved this so much, I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

I am absolutely obsessed with this book! I couldn’t put it down and finished it in about five hours. Kitty is such a likable character, I instantly connected with her. The Secret Life of Kitty Granger has an interesting plot, and I appreciate that Falksen paid attention to historical accuracy. The book takes place in 1960’s London, and Kitty, a 16 year old working class girl with autism, is given the opportunity to be a spy through a strange turn of events. Kitty’s first assignment: spy on a Lord that may be aiding fascists attempting to take over the government. This book is quick, with just the right touch of 60’s flair, and several wonderful feminist teaching moments, my favorite being “I think you’ll find, Tommy, that girls can be interested in all sorts of things, only we don’t talk about ’em’ cause people keep tellin’ us we’re not s’posed to like ’em.” I would recommend this book for anyone who enjoys spy novels, YA fiction, or just those looking for a quick fun read!

What a book! Set in nineteen-sixties London, Kitty Granger is introduced to the world of Cold War spies and conspiracies, where she is uniquely qualified to succeed. Kitty, although it doesn't explicitly say so, is autistic. In her regular existence, she is considered strange, and a burden by her protective father. But, in the world of espionage, her unusual traits are valued. This was a fun, and exciting book.

What I Liked:

Setting:

Who doesn't love London's swinging sixties? The mod fashion, music, and general feelings of optimism and change are apparent in the details from the author. Growing up in London's East End (a very poor area), Kitty is used to scraping by in life. Despite this, her neighborhood is comfortable and home. I loved that Kitty instantly felt at ease when she met another fellow East Ender.

The Sixties were a time of great change in England. As more immigrants started to settle in England, some people became alarmed by what they considered an invasion of foreigners. A reactionary element in politics gained momentum. This is the political climate in which the novel takes place, and it becomes important to the progression of the story. The author did a good job of explaining the foundations of this movement to the reader.

Characters:

Kitty is autistic. The book does a wonderful job of describing how Kitty sees the world. She uses many different coping skills when she becomes overwhelmed. But the author also highlights many positive aspects of Kitty's mind. She can focus intently on an issue, and notices small details that others miss. She can also mimic other's voices, and has an amazing memory. I love how the author shows that Kitty can use her talents when others give her a chance.

But some situations are more challenging than others. Kitty has to really think through social interactions before understanding what others expect out of her. Loud noises and large crowds can trigger a panic. This is really stressful for Kitty. I could empathize with her struggle to maintain control. Having just finished The Queen's Gambit on Netflix, I can see Anya Taylor Joy as Kitty.





One of the other stand-out characters, in my opinion, is Mrs. Singh. She is a glamorous, independent woman. I could definitely see Jameela Jamil playing this character in a movie. Calm, and always prepared, she was such a great role-model for Kitty.





Story:

I love a good spy story. I found Kitty's training: learning martial arts, how to fire a gun, and using spy gadgets, to be really fun. The part of the story where Kitty finally gets to use all her training as she goes undercover was exciting. I couldn't put the book down!

Strangely, the plot central to the book is rather timely. Fascists push the slogan, Britain for the British, a racist reaction to immigration. Groups of these people are plotting something big to create change, I do not want to spoil it, but what happens echoes events happening today.

A Note about this novel's category designation: This book is being marketed as young adult fiction. But it would also be very appropriate for middle grade readers. There is no cursing, and I think younger readers in middle school will enjoy the action.

I really hope that this book becomes a series, I would follow these characters on a spy adventure in a heartbeat!