Reading Group Guide

City Spies Book 7: Europa

By James Ponti

About the Book

The City Spies are ready to start fresh with a new home, new schools, and a new directive now that Clementine has come in from the cold and Le Fantôme has been put behind bars. But their plans are put into jeopardy when Umbra threatens to attack multiple high-level targets across Europe unless he is released from prison. With intel leading them to Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, the City Spies split up and race across the continent solving codes and chasing clues to thwart the attacks. With so many moving parts, the City Spies must pull out all the stops to have any chance to succeed at this latest mission.

Discussion Questions

1. Despite his incarceration in His Majesty’s Prison Belmarsh High Security Unit (HSU), Lucien Allard remains a potent threat, capable of coordinating sophisticated psychological and physical operations via smuggled technology. What does learning that Lucien still has so much influence mean for Umbra and the City Spies?

2. Based on his interactions with guards and his Europa plan, discuss how Allard uses his passion for art and his mysterious reputation to maintain power even while in solitary confinement.

3. As the City Spies rush to meet Tru after she leaves them clues, Sydney prides herself on being the only one to meet Tru’s noon deadline, to which Paris tells her, “‘Because we were helping all the people you almost knocked over . . . You know, spies are supposed to move in and out of the shadows, not over and through civilians.’” (Chapter three) Based on what you already know about her, what makes this expectation difficult for Sydney? What do you see as Sydney’s greatest strengths and weaknesses?

4. During the first “Tru-torial” for the SOE (School of Espionage), Tru shares the story of Winston Churchill’s creation of his SOE and his mandate for them “to set Europe ablaze” as he wanted agents to go behind enemy lines to wreak havoc and destruction for the Nazis. Tru continues by stating, “‘Despite the glamorous way it’s portrayed in the movies, espionage is often ugly, dangerous work.’” (Chapter three) From what you’ve read about Tru, why do you think she’s compelled to remind the team about this element of being a spy? What can be gleaned from her comments?

5. Tru shares that the idea came from C, the Chief of MI6, to give the team extra training because “‘you’ve dazzled him, and he wants to train you for more challenging assignments.’” (Chapter three) How does this revelation impact the City Spies? Do you agree with C’s assessment of the team?

6. In Europa, Kat emphasizes the importance of using a numerical scale (the “Kat Scale”) to assess probability. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using objective mathematical frameworks versus gut instinct in a high-pressure environment.

7. As they travel by subway on their mission, Paris recalls an important “Motherism” and reminds Sydney, “‘When there’s something you can’t find, put yourself in the hider’s mind.’” In what ways does this lesson and the other “Motherisms” they’ve learned along the way shape the efforts of the City Spies?

8. A “curse of knowledge” occurs when an expert views information through their specific lens of expertise, assuming others share that perspective. Because of his art history background, how does Mother’s curse of knowledge lead the team in the wrong direction?

9. The Musée d’Orsay is a source of history and pride for both Paris and France; what is its cultural significance to the rest of the world?

10. Though Mother orders Paris and Sydney to move back to a safe area when it’s clear that the bomb will be detonating soon, Sydney tells him to go on while she insists on taking a look at the bomb with the time left, to which Paris tells her, “‘If you stay, I stay.’” What does Paris’s response to Sydney reveal about their relationship? What does her refusal to follow Mother’s orders reveal about her?

11. Evaluate the team’s actions at the Musée d’Orsay. In your opinion, was Sydney’s decision to stay and attempt to defuse the bomb an act of heroism or a failure of discipline? Explain your position.

12. Consider the Operation Lazarus incident in Paris, which isn’t the mass-casualty bombing it initially was feared to be. Why is the discovery of “Le Fantôme” comics on the bench in the Musée d’Orsay important and problematic? Why does this calculated act of vandalism, designed to demonstrate Umbra’s reach, prove to be so worrisome?

13. Due to their arrest, Sydney and Paris have been permanently expelled from France, limiting the team’s operational capacity for any Europa developments involving French soil. Why are the consequences of this part of the mission so dire, especially for Paris?

14. As they prepare for their journey back to London, Brooklyn shares, “‘I could live the rest of my life without stepping foot inside another Parisian train station.’” (Chapter fourteen) Based on what the team has been through, why do her words ring true? Are there ways that this part of the mission seems more difficult than others? If so, why?

15. Following the Paris incident, MI6 intercepts new messages from Allard’s burner phone ordering a call to “Activate Europa,” which implies that Umbra will execute simultaneous attacks in four major European cities in “‘more than a week and less than a month.’” (Chapter sixteen) How is this threat a greater challenge than any before for the City Spies team?

16. As he offers to stop the Europa attacks in exchange for a full pardon and entry into the protected persons program, Lucien Allard declares, “‘My heart has no goodness. I’m doing this in exchange for my freedom.’” (Chapter sixteen) Though they fear the outcomes if they can’t stop Operation Europa, why does the MI6 leadership seem uninterested in considering this exchange? Hold a debate, or, as a class, list the pros and cons to agreeing to Allard’s offer.

17. After Mother tells the team he won’t lead them with a Motherism after being teased, Monty steps up and offers, “‘Leave no prints. Hide your face. Disappear, without a trace.’” (Chapter nine) How are Monty’s words sage advice for this mission and their work in general?

18. How do the City Spies balance their unique personal skills with effective team collaboration through the events that unfold in the novel?

19. In what ways do the cryptic references to Shakespearean battlefields and the possible involvement of the high-level asset/double agent Clementine elevate the stakes even more in this mission?

20. Based on what you learn through reading Europa and your impressions of the City Spies throughout the series so far, how would you describe each member of the team? Are there ways in which you believe they have grown and changed in their time together?

21. Considering the conclusion of Europa, what do you predict will happen in the next installment of City Spies? In what significant ways have things changed for the team?

Extension Activities

1. Shakespeare’s works—In Europa, Kat identifies a cryptic crossword-style clue that ultimately leads them to “BARD,” a common moniker for William Shakespeare; from that reference, intelligence identifies four specific locations mentioned in the intercepts, all corresponding to the final settings of Shakespearean plays.

Create a KWL chart, analyzing what you already know about Shakespeare and his work. Next, move to the W to determine what you’d like to know by utilizing the five Ws method (who, what, when, where, and why) to fill in what you’d like to discover. Finally, using library and internet resources, complete the chart with what you’ve learned. Offer readers an opportunity to extend their learning by watching an adaptation of a play of choice.

​2. SOE—During World War II, Winston Churchill created the SOE, Special Operations Executive, a secret task force charged with espionage, sabotage, and guerrilla warfare behind enemy lines. Using library and internet resources, learn more about the SOE, starting with this piece from National Geographic: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/ministry-ungentlemanly-warfare-spies-true-story. Be sure to dig deeply to discover the following:

a. When was the SOE established?

b. Who were the individuals typically put in this program?

c. How was Churchill’s task force able to remain a secret for so long?

d. How many SOE agents were in the field?

e. What was the fate of most of the agents?

After finishing this investigation, ask readers to share any interesting facts they uncovered.

3. Violette Szabo—Violette, a famous SOE operative, is referenced by Tru during a lesson with Sydney after the incident at the Musée d’Orsay. Using resources found at the Imperial War Museum (https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/who-was-violette-szabo#:~:text=She%20was%20executed%20in%20Ravensbr%C3%BCck,Services%20(ATS)%20in%201941) and the museum named in her honor (https://www.violette-szabo-museum.co.uk/violette.html), learn more about Szabo’s life, work, and legacy. After completing the research, ask readers to share the most interesting facts they uncovered about her.

​4. Musée d’Orsay—In Europa, readers learn that beyond housing some of the world’s most treasured pieces of art, the iconic and historical museum was once known as Gare d’Orsay, one of many train stations in Paris. Research and learn more about the colorful history of the d’Orsay, being sure to learn the following:

a. When was the d’Orsay built?

b. Who commissioned it and for what reason?

c. What made it unique as a train station?

d. Besides being a train station and a treasured museum, what other uses has the facility had over the years?

e. What are some of the most notable pieces found in the museum’s collection?

f. What makes the design of this building so noteworthy?

Offer readers an opportunity to use a digital tool of choice to showcase their most interesting discoveries.

​5. Moulin de la Galette—In Europa, Mother mistakenly assumes that “Moulin de la Galette” is a reference to Pierre-Auguste Renoir’s celebrated masterpiece painting, Bal du moulin de la Galette, which is housed at the Musée d’Orsay in Paris, rather than the name of an actual restaurant. The Impressionistic painting by Renoir depicts a Sunday afternoon at the original Moulin de la Galette in the Montmartre district of Paris. Working with a partner, investigate the following:

a. Why is the Moulin de la Galette area so famous?

b. Besides Renoir, what other famous artists chose to paint it?

c. What subjects are captured in each of these paintings?

d. What makes each artist’s focus on the neighborhood unique?

e. What was their tie to this area?

After your work is complete, share your findings with other readers in a manner of choice.

This guide was created by Dr. Rose Brock. Rose is an associate professor in the Library Science Department in the College of Education at Sam Houston State University and holds a Ph.D. in Library Science, specializing in children’s and young adult literature.

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