The British gave us James Bond and, as it turns out, most of the current children’s spy books. Go figure. The Alex Rider series is king of the pack followed by upcoming faves Spy School and The Genius Files. Prepare yourself for some major laughs, because these books pack the humor.
Alex Rider: Stormbreaker by Anthony Horowitz (series)
When Alex’s uncle suspiciously dies, he is recruited by the British government to finish his mission. He is trained in spy tactics and given cool gadgets then sent to the headquarters of Herod Sayles. Sayles is planning to distribute the Stormbreaker computer to schools around London which will have deadly consequences if he isn’t stopped.
Spy School by Stuart Gibbs (series)
Other than math skills Ben Ripley doesn’t have any talents that make him worthy of placement in a top-secret CIA training school. It’s even more obvious when he almost dies at the hands of an assassin soon after arriving. If it weren’t for the gorgeous director’s daughter agreeing to help him, he would hightail it out of there.
The Genius Files: Mission Unstoppable by Dan Gutman (series)
Twins Coke and Pepsi have been recruited by an organization that wants to put kids in charge of solving the world’s problems. That would be fine, if someone else didn’t want them dead. Luckily their mom has planned a coast to coast RV trip to the weird museums and parks across America.
N.E.R.D.S by Michael Buckley (series)
Jackson is the most popular kid in his school until he gets braces and drops to the bottom in popularity. Even the nerds don’t want him around after all the bullying he put them through. When he stumbles on their secret spy headquarters under the school, he joins their ranks and gets his weakness (braces) turned into a superpower.
Codename Zero by Chris Rylander (series)
Carson pulls pranks to spice up his boring North Dakota life. When he receives a package and is instructed not to open it, he can’t stop himself. He trips a self-destruct alarm and has 48 hours to get it to Mr. Jensen without the teachers or principal getting wind of it.
The League of Unexceptional Children by Gitty Daneshvari (series)
Jonathan and Shelley are unexceptional in every way. They are so unremarkable that no one remembers their names or having met them. This makes them perfect spy recruits. The vice-president has been kidnapped, secret codes are at risk and the United States is on the verge of total chaos unless Johno and Shells can find the kidnapper.
School for S.P.I.E.S: Playing with Fire by Bruce Hale (series)
Max has just screwed up another foster care placement, so he’s being placed in an orphanage. But this isn’t your average orphanage. It’s a spy training school. Max learns that not only is his dad not dead, but he’s a spy. Max makes it his mission to break out of the orphanage and find his dad.
Bridget Wilder: Spy-in-Training by Jonathan Bernstein (series)
Bridget’s adoptive family has forgotten it’s her birthday. All is not lost when she receives a mysterious package on her porch. The contents don’t make sense. Cell phone that doesn’t work. Tictac candies. Lip balm. Turns out her biological dad is a famous spy and he has sent her these spy gadgets in the hopes she will join him.
The Ministry of S.U.I.T.S. by Paul Gamble (series)
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Get ready for some over-the-top absurdity. Jack and Trudy have just been recruited by the Ministry of Unusual and Impossible Things (SUITS). All the creatures you don’t believe in, such as dinosaurs, werewolves, pirates do exist. Jack and Trudy will encounter them as they try to figure out who is stealing all the oddball kids.
CHATTERING LIBRARIAN 