I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

Carter, A. (2006). I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You. New York: Hyperion Books for Children. ISBN: 9781423100034

Plot Summary

  Cammie Ann Morgan attends Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women, which is actually a school for spy training. While in her fourth year of spy training and during a mission she meets Josh who is normal and she keeps her spy background from him. With the help of her friends and roommates, she sneaks out and her and Josh form a steady relationship. Her cover is blown when Josh's friend follows Cammie to her school, which leads to Josh breaking  up with her. After Cammie is "kidnapped" for a final, Josh, thinking she is really kidnapped, tried to rescue her. He is eventually let in on the secret and the story ends with readers knowing that there is so much more to the story, and that a sequel is in the future. 

Critical Evaluation

  Judging this book by its cover, it sat on my bookshelf until I ran out of things to read and I was too lazy to buy something new. I was pleasantly surprised. Lead character Cammie Morgan is a great protagonist and she reminds me of Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible. It is nice to read about an intelligent and independent girl who also has a heart and fashion sense. It is a great laugh out loud book that is also packed with action and adventure. It was a fast read, and I can't wait to read the sequel. 

Readers Annotation

  When you are a spy, love can be your biggest mission. 

Information about the Author

  Ally Carter was born Sarah Leigh Foglemmanon on January 1, 1974. She graduated from Oklahoma State University and then Cornell University. She wrote her first book, Cheating at Solitaire, in 2005. I'd Tell You I Love You But Then I Would Have To Kill You, was her first young adult novel and it is rumoured to be in the works with Disney. This book was followed by three more Gallagher Girl books and there is one more in the works. She is currently working on a new YA series. 

  Her books have been published in more than twenty different counties and have appeared on best seller lists. She currently lives in Oklahoma. 

Genre

  Mystery

Curriculum Ties

  n/a

Booktalking Ideas

  - Think of ideas that your current classes or courses can be turned into spy training. 

  - If you were a spy, would you be able to have a relationship?

  - If you were a spy would you be willing to sacrifice everything for love?

Reading Level/Interest Age

  9-12th grade/Young Adult

Challenge Issues

    I would offer my library's Collection Development Policy which highlights how challenges and reconsideration's are handled. I would ask the challenger and the professional reviewing it to familiarize themselves with the book.

Reason for Selection

  I received this as a galley.