An Indie Next pick!

BESTSELLING ADULT BOOK: The hardcover edition of the adult book, A Woman of No Importance has sold over 280,000 copies. The paperback has sold over 300,000.

SUCCESSFUL FORMAT: Young readers adaptations of historical adult nonfiction have seen considerable success over the past few years—from Lauren Hillenbrand’s Unbroken to Daniel James Brown’s The Boys in the Boat, the middle grade audience is just as keen to read historic nonfiction as their counterpart adult audience.

EPIC ADVENTURE STORY: The story of Virginia Hall is the story of a spy, a resistance expert, and the toppling of a fascist regime. Not only is Agent Most Wanted a breathtaking historical work, but it also reads like an epic and fast-paced adventure.

BREAKTHROUGH STORY: Stories about vital women in history are few and far between. Virginia Hall is far from the only woman to topple an empire, and this now uncovered story of her vital involvement in the Second World War could call to light the stories of other women who have also toppled empires.

FEMINIST HISTORY: Virginia Hall’s story is an inspiration to women everywhere, and by introducing younger readers to her, we are opening the minds of a new audience to the frequently-untold but crucial role women play in major historical events.

PERFECT FOR THE CLASSROOM: This book will appeal to casual readers who are fans of adventure and historical nonfiction, but it’s also a great classroom read for history and social studies lessons.

Sonia Purnell is a biographer and journalist who has worked at The Economist, The Telegraph, and The Sunday Times. Her book Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill (published as First Lady in the UK) was chosen as a book of the year by The Telegraph and The Independent, and was a finalist for the Plutarch Award. Her first book, Just Boris, was longlisted for the Orwell prize.

*“This riveting biography provides the framework of Hall’s life, concentrating on the war years and her phenomenal ability to fade into the background while gathering intelligence, communicating with the British, and undermining German control within occupied France. Young readers intrigued by espionage during World War II will find this a well-researched, smoothly written, and completely riveting account of Hall’s experiences.”—Booklist (starred review)

*“Well-chosen, key moments convey Hall’s reliance on both luck and her own instincts, her quick thinking, her immense skill at assessing perilous situations, and her frank courage… A captivating account of a remarkable woman.”—Kirkus (starred review)