Code Name Badass: The True Story of Virginia Hall

Written by Heather Demetrios

Narrated by Nikki Massoud

“Bringing together rigorous research and a vibrant writing style” (School Library Journal), Code Name Verity meets Inglourious Basterds in this riotous, spirited biography of the most dangerous of all Allied spies, courageous and kickass Virginia Hall.

When James Bond was still in diapers, Virginia Hall was behind enemy lines, playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Hitler’s henchmen. Did she have second thoughts after a terrible accident left her needing a wooden leg? Please. Virginia Hall was the baddest broad in any room she walked into. When the State Department proved to be a sexist boys’ club that wouldn’t let her in, she gave the finger to society’s expectations of women and became a spy for the British. This boss lady helped arm and train the French Resistance and organized sabotage missions. There was just one problem: The Butcher of Lyon, a notorious Gestapo commander, was after her. But, hey—Virginia’s classmates didn’t call her the Fighting Blade for nothing.

So how does a girl who was a pirate in the school play, spent her childhood summers milking goats, and rocked it on the hockey field end up becoming the Gestapo’s most wanted spy? Audacious, irreverent, and fiercely feminist, Code Name Badass is for anyone who doesn’t take no for an answer.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio
• Release date: Sep 7, 2021
• ISBN: 9781797133225

Heather Demetrios

Heather Demetrios is a critically acclaimed author, writing coach, and certified meditation teacher. She has an MFA in writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts and is a recipient of the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award for her debut novel, Something Real. Her novels include Little Universes, I’ll Meet You There, Bad Romance, as well as the Dark Caravan fantasy series. Her nonfiction includes the Virginia Hall biography Code Name Badass, and she is the editor of Dear Heartbreak: YA Authors and Teens on the Dark Side of Love. Her honors include books that have been named Bank Street Best Children’s Books, YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults selections, a Goodreads Choice Nominee, a Kirkus Best Book, and more. Find out more about Heather and her books at HeatherDemetrios.com.

Reviews for Code Name Badass

[Anez Smith · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

A good perspective from a woman's point of view. ?

[Kelly Izell · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This author is ?? and injects her own opinions, jokes, and side comments into the story. I stopped several chapters in because I couldn’t take it anymore. I would rather read a straightforward account of this WWII hero.

Example: “Raise your hand if you’re now craving pain au chocolat! Yeah, me too.” and, “Side note: badasses never give up.”

She is so pro gender neutral bathrooms that she uses a story about a spy to push that, and every paragraph has something feminist to say. We get it; it’s 1930 and women are super discriminated against.

[Mayela · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

A great biography of an impressive woman quite forgotten by history. Heather Demetrios writes in a colloquial style accessible to teenage readers and adults alike. The narration is also delightful!