Title: A Girl Named Digit
Author: Annabel Monaghan
First published June 3, 2012
187 pages, Hardcover
ISBN: 9780547668529 (ISBN10: 054766852X)
Rating: 3.86
Overview
Meet Farrah, a math prodigy who has left her geeky self behind in order to fit in with the popular crowd at her new high school. She’s looking forward to enjoying her senior year and preparing for her dream school, MIT.
However, everything changes when she accidentally cracks a terrorist group’s number sequence. Suddenly, Farrah finds herself on the run from dangerous terrorists, investigating the case herself, and even faking her own kidnapping.
And to top it all off, she’s trying to convince a young, attractive FBI agent to take her seriously. Will Farrah be able to outsmart the terrorists and save the day, all while balancing her double life?
About the Author
Annabel Monaghan is a talented writer whose work can be found on TheWeek.com, The Huffington Post, and The Rye Record. Her recent publication, Does This Volvo Make My Butt Look Big?, is a compilation of amusing essays geared towards mothers and published by Fischer Press in 2016.
Additionally, she has written two young adult novels – A Girl Named Digit and Double Digit – which were published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in 2010 and 2012, respectively. She co-authored Click! The Girls Guide to Knowing What You Want and Making it Happen, which was published by Simon and Schuster in 2007.
In addition to her writing career, Annabel is also a teacher of novel writing at The Writing Institute at Sarah Lawrence College. She resides in Rye, New York with her husband and three sons.
Editoral Review
Annabel Monaghan’s A Girl Named Digit is a refreshing and fast-paced young adult novel that captures the essence of teenage angst and adventure. The story follows the journey of Digit (real name Farrah Higgins), a teenage math prodigy with an uncanny ability to crack codes, who unwittingly stumbles upon a terrorist plot while working as part of a summer internship at the NSA.
Digit soon finds herself caught in a web of danger and intrigue, with no one to turn to but John Bennett, a fellow student at her school who helps her uncover the truth. Monaghan’s writing style is clear, concise, and witty, with plenty of humor injected throughout the narrative.
She tackles serious issues such as terrorism, government surveillance, and discrimination with a deft hand, weaving them seamlessly into the plot without ever compromising the integrity of the story or its characters. At the heart of the story is Digit herself, a smart, funny, and relatable heroine who is easy to root for.
Monaghan does an excellent job of fleshing out her character, allowing the reader to experience her triumphs and setbacks alongside her. Similarly, John is a well-drawn character who serves as the perfect foil for Digit, and their dynamic is one of the highlights of the book.
As a young adult novel, A Girl Named Digit is perfectly geared towards its target audience, with plenty of action, adventure, and teenage romance to keep readers engaged. However, it also has broader appeal, with its timely themes and skillful storytelling making it a compelling read for adults too.
Overall, A Girl Named Digit is a fun and engaging read that combines thrilling espionage with witty humor and relatable characters. While it may not be the most groundbreaking young adult novel out there, it is certainly one of the most enjoyable.
Highly recommended for anyone looking for a fast-paced, entertaining read that also tackles important issues with intelligence and heart. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
