Author: Stuart Gibbs
Reviewed by Chloe Fuksa
Continuing in the same vein as the adult pick, a children’s book that I’ve always seen but never read before is the middle grade book Spy School, by Stuart Gibbs. It came out in 2012 and is book #1 in the series of the same name. Gibbs has written ten more books in the series since then, as well as three graphic novel versions.
In this first book, Ben Ripley is a 12-year-old math whiz who has been invited to attend the Academy of Espionage of the CIA in Washington, DC to learn how to become a spy. He is put to the test from the very second he arrives on campus, and the pressure rarely lets up afterwards. Ben soon discovers, with the help of a classmate, Erica, that he has been brought to the Academy as bait to lure in the enemy. When a meeting is called for the heads of all the espionage organizations, bringing everyone together in the same place, Ben, Erica, and their classmates must find out who the mole is before a bomb takes out the entire leadership.
Spy School is a fun, fast-paced book – though I evidently need to go to spy school myself since I suspected the wrong person the whole time. There are good messages throughout about friendship and teamwork, as well as plenty of jokes for kids too. Erica is written just as well as Ben, so boys and girls both can connect with the story. I know I certainly enjoyed reading this first book, and I look forward to reading the next ones in the series.
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