Etiquette & Espionage

A parent would reach for this book when their daughter feels like a square peg in a round hole, especially if she is more interested in how things work than how she is supposed to behave. It is an ideal choice for the girl who feels pressured to conform to traditional social standards but possesses a natural curiosity and a knack for problem solving that others might misinterpret as being troublesome or unladylike. Set in a fantastical Victorian England filled with dirigibles and mechanical servants, the story follows fourteen year old Sophronia as she is sent to a finishing school that turns out to be a training ground for spies. Through Sophronia's adventures, the book explores themes of self confidence, the value of being observant, and the importance of finding a community that celebrates your unique strengths. It is a lighthearted, witty adventure that validates the child who prefers tinkering with machines over perfecting their curtsy, framed within a safe and imaginative steampunk world.