A Girl Named Digit [Hardcover]

Annabel Monaghan (Author)

Book Description

Release date: June 5, 2012

Farrah "Digit" Higgins may be going to MIT in the fall, but this L.A. high school genius has left her geek self behind in another school district so she can blend in with the popular crowd at Santa Monica High and actually enjoy her senior year. But when Farrah, the daughter of a UCLA math professor, unknowingly cracks a terrorist group's number sequence, her laid-back senior year gets a lot more interesting. Soon she is personally investigating the case, on the run from terrorists, and faking her own kidnapping-- all while trying to convince a young, hot FBI agent to take her seriously. So much for blending in . . .

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Conspiracy, humor, romance, and math puzzles are all skillfully blended elements in this clever story . . . bound to be a popular title."--VOYA, 5Q 4P J S

 

"This novel is so much fun to read that readers will buy it all, thanks to Farrah's smart, witty voice and the gentle romance between John and Farrah."--Kirkus

 

"Teens struggling with self-identity will relate to Digit and enjoy this quick, suspenseful read."--School Library Journal

 

 "In a first novel that combines adventure, mystery, love, and humor, Monaghan shows a talent for creating a likable narrator and for keeping the pages turning."--Booklist online

 

"This fast-paced caper novel will appeal to readers who like their nonstop action aided and abetted by romance and humor."--Bulletin

About the Author

Annabel Monaghan is the author of A Girl Named Digit and the coauthor of Click! A Girl’s Guide to Getting What She Wants. She lives with her family in Rye, New York. Visit her website at www.annabelmonaghan.com.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 192 pages
• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Books for Children (June 5, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 054766852X
• ISBN-13: 978-0547668529
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.7 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (38 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,100 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars 5 Stars for a Girl Named Digit March 14, 2012

By L. Reeves VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

Annabel Monaghan's A Girl Named Digit is a fantastic contemporary read with brilliant characters, thrilling plot and so much more that I didn't want this one to end.

When Farrah aka `Digit' is hanging out with her friends, watching one of her favorite shows, she notices something. Some numbers that appear on the screen and over the course of three weeks, she's not sure what to make of them. See, Digit is a genius when it comes to all things numbers. She's able to figure all things math and numbers out in her head in seconds. She can see patterns in things, which is where the nickname comes from. She just wants to be a normal teen girl and hides this part of who she is. Yet the numbers she sees's on the screen she just can't ignore.

Let's just say that these numbers land her in some major trouble and she's forced to go into protection with the FBI. With her help and the help of her protector John, together the two work together to stay save and try to figure out what the bad guys are going to do next.

Mr. FBI agent, John is an interesting character as well. Monaghan did an amazing job making her characters well rounded and highly entertaining. So much so that I just couldn't get enough! Seriously, when I finish it I wanted more.

The story and plot found in this title were fast moving and thrilling, hence one of the reasons why I just couldn't get enough of this book! The building & budding relationship between Digit and John might have been quick because the whole story happens over a short period of time, but it didn't feel that way at all. It never felt rushed and I honestly believe it's because of Monaghan's writing and storytelling that made this such a solid well written tale....

All in all, I am so happy that I recently was told this is a must read title and now it's my turn to tell you all about how much I seriously loved this one. I highly recommend A Girl Named Digit to all who enjoy or are looking for a contemporary that has it all - characters, story, fast paced and epic chapter titles that'll make you smile. I'm seriously looking forward to more from Monaghan in the future. Happy Reading. Read more ›

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars fun, fast-paced story with a few bumps March 8, 2012

By Tabitha VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover|Amazon Vine™ Review (What's this?)

A funny story. Digit has great voice and a great way of dealing with the smart side of herself. She hides in plain sight, but in the process she closes herself off from others and doesn't really get to know them. For someone so smart, there are a whole lot of things she misses. I loved that about her. Then, she meets John, someone who understands how it feels to hide your personality because it seems easier than dealing with the consequences of being yourself. She begins to wake up, so to speak, and let her real self, Digit, out for the sake of saving lives. Once she does this, she can't put Digit back in her box.

There are some very interesting themes going on in this story. I think many teenagers probably feel they are hiding their true selves from everyone else. I sure felt that way at that age, and I think teens will connect with Digit. She's quirky, but not too quirky. She's funny and even pretty normal in her abnormal way. I really liked her, and I loved following her through all the spy adventures across the country.

The romance was clunky, though. I didn't quite understand Digit's attraction to John, and I didn't see the signs that John was falling for her. Then all of a sudden they are a couple, sort of, and in love. It wasn't instalove, but we weren't close enough to either Digit or John to really feel what they were feeling. As a result, I wasn't as invested in the ending as I wanted to be.

Still, this is a fun, fast-paced story that will bring a smile to your face.

Age appropriateness: there's no drugs, language, or sex scenes, so I'd say this is appropriate for younger teens.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Digit = Disappointment June 20, 2012

By Title Tracks

Format:Hardcover

I'm a fan of Ally Carter's Gallagher Girls series and Heist Society series. I chose to read A Girl Named Digit because the description reminded me of those stories: strong female lead dealing with typical teenage issues of friendships and boys, all the while engaged in very atypical, Mission Impossible style covert operations. Nothing too serious, aside from saving the free world from homicidal terrorist organizations. Just a light, fun, action-packed read. Ally Carter's books definitely deliver, but I feel A Girl Named Digit falls just a fraction short.

It's a shame, actually. Monaghan's story held a lot of promise for me. I like detective/spy stories and I like math. The television show NUMB3RS was one of my favorites and I thoroughly enjoyed the nonfiction book In Code written by Sarah Flannery, who was also a teenage math genius. There are some pretty cool descriptions of mathematical codes, but much of the story, especially the FBI related stuff, isn't very believable. So the FBI has a Willy Wonka elevator that runs underground from their Los Angeles headquarters to various warehouse districts in the city?

But it's not just technical details that bothered me. Characters often acted in unbelievable ways as well, especially Farah's parents. The lightning-fast romance between the ambitious, goal oriented FBI agent and the teenager whose safety is his primary mission strained credibility. In order to enjoy a fun, light-hearted novel I was perfectly willing to accept the possibility of this romance occurring, but I just couldn't accept the speed with which John flipped the switch from professional FBI wunderkind to love-sick highschooler.... And even though he wasn't a math genius, I would think that an Ivy League educated, 21 year old federal agent would at least be able to say "Fibonacci", even if he didn't have a thorough understanding of the number sequence.

I wasn't expecting a "literary novel", all character development or weighty philosophical issues. I was expecting a solid novel with some fun action, quirky characters and witty one-liners. Monaghan almost gets there. Almost. There's some good humor here and Farah's character, at least, is fairly well written. But I just think the deficiencies detract too much from the story. It's a very short book, under 200 pages. I think Monaghan could have added another 50-100 pages and developed some of the characters and scenes a little better.

Based on the humor, descriptions of scenery, and some cool math, I'll still give A Girl Named Digit three turntables. But it could have been better. If you're expecting Ally Carter here, be prepared for disappointment. Read more ›