Spy School

Stuart Gibbs's series opener is a reliably fun middle-grade adventure: twelve-year-old math whiz Ben Ripley gets recruited to a secret CIA school only to learn he was brought in as bait to flush out a mole, and the whole thing plays out with sharp comedic timing and genuine plot surprises. Comparisons to Alex Rider and Artemis Fowl are earned — this has real wit alongside its action. Edgar Award nomination and CBC Best Children's Books recognition signal this is not just popular but quality. The honest caveat is that Ben's haplessness occasionally stretches credibility, the humor sometimes softens tension the story could use, and readers who want the full picture should plan to read the series in order. For kids who love adventure stories with a sense of humor, this is a confident, fast-paced recommendation.