I’ve always held a soft spot for middle grade books. It’s not only the genre that I write, but it’s the genre where some of the best books I’ve ever read are housed. So when I saw author S.P. O’Farrell promoting his eye-catching novel about a 12-year-old spy, I knew I had to grab myself a copy. And I was not disappointed. Below is my review of Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball.
Simone LaFray plot summary
Simone LaFray is a 12-year-old girl who lives in Paris, France with her mother, father, younger sister, and dog. But she’s not your average 12-year-old. Simone is actually a spy. She has followed in her mother’s footsteps as a member of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Her secret profession has made Simone really good at blending in. No one realizes her extreme intelligence, athleticism, powers of observation, and the multitude of other talents she possesses which aids in her espionage missions. So, when the notorious thief, The Red Fox, threatens to steal a painting at the Musee d’Orsay, Simone is put on the case to observe and report in order to catch the crook once and for all.
However, an incident at her father’s famous pastry shop diverts her attention. Instead, she finds herself buying a dress and helping her father to prepare to attend the Choclatiers’ Ball. It’s a tense and desperate attempt to restore his reputation as a great chocolatier. However, her personal and professional life are about to converge. And it’s up to Simone to save the day.
Our kid hero
One of the most important rules in writing for children is not to talk down to them. O’Farrell easily accomplishes this by creating an extraordinarily bright, resourceful, and thoughtful heroine in the form of Simone LaFray. Narrated in the first person, we get to see how Simone’s mind works, from her ability to tally up the attendance in a room full of people to how many seconds her friends speak to her about a particular subject.
Despite her extraordinary abilities and penchant for blending in, Simone is not a lonely or pitiful character in any way. She’s completely content with her life. In fact, her motivations stem from avoiding change rather than welcoming it. She embraces her individualism, yet we see hints of puberty creeping into her life and the inevitable shifts in focus awaiting her in the near future.
The plot
There’s a lot going on in this story between the troubles at her father’s patisserie, her mission to catch The Red Fox, and the added domestic responsibilities that she undertakes while her mom is away on business. Plenty of time, attention, and details are given to each subplot so that we readers can understand the high stakes involved in each conflict.
It also sets up opportunities to see Simone in action. The cat-and-mouse chase between Simone and The Red Fox plays out as intensely as a tracking scene in a Jason Bourne movie. In fact, you almost forget that it’s a young girl in pursuit of the master thief. You can tell that she’s not used to being outsmarted, making The Red Fox the perfect mysterious foil to her, especially once you learn what he is truly after.
I love that the story doesn’t spend much time filling in Simone’s back story and the ins and outs of spy life. She shows you by doing, and in this way, the plot is able to move at a steady pace. Simone’s explaining is done in her observations and emotional confessions to the reader. We get to know her as we go along for the ride without having to catch up before we can take the ride.
The setting
Setting the story in France also adds a unique and adventurous element to the story. The European landscape feels exotic to your average American reader. It gives off its own energy, as if it is another character in the story.
Her father’s patisserie is a really fun place for Simone to call home. It’s busy, historical, and serves as her father’s livelihood. Even if it’s not her dream job, she is very protective of it. In fact, she’s willing to dress up and attend the Chocolatiers’ Ball in order to save the shop when it’s mysteriously sabotaged. While the culprit is a bit obvious, it’s no less suspenseful to see if Simone and her father are able to pull off a last minute miracle to maintain his reputation as the greatest chocolatier and pastry chef of all.
My recommendation
There’s a lot of talk out there about how to get boys to read more stories featuring female main characters. Simone LaFray would be a great place to start. Her story is great for both boy and girl readers. Even adults who love spy and detective novels will appreciate this book.
Buy it!
Buy a copy of Simone LaFray and the Chocolatiers’ Ball here, and help support local bookstores! This is an affiliate link, and I will earn a commission from any sales.
Pin it!
Sounds like an interesting book. You have shared a great review
Thank you! I hope it gets the attention it deserves.
Looks like it should be a pretty entertaining book for children. I didn’t know there was an issues with boys not wanting to read female led books, female characters have always been my preference
Wow this books sounds so interesting! I’ll have to check it out.