GAME OVER

Pete Watson never intended to trigger the end of the world. All he wants is to play the newest Brawl-A-Thon 3000 XL! video game that he’s been saving up for months to purchase. But when Pete’s mother unexpectedly borrows money from his Brawl-A-Thon jar, he decides to hold a spontaneous garage sale to recoup the missing funds. The bug exterminator, a.k.a. Bug Man, looks like just the sort of everyday person who would frequent garage sales to scope out junk. On the other hand, his dad’s dusty, old CommandRoid 85 Video Arcade System game console, hidden away in a corner of the basement, certainly doesn’t look like a portal to the CIA’s top-secret database. How could Pete have predicted that the Bug Man’s nefarious plans would transform and entrap his dad into an 8-bit video game character; lead the president to declare on national television, “I put bird poop in my hair. I have to say I like it there. More than in my Underwear”; and put the entire world in jeopardy? With help from his ex-best friend, Wesley, and his ex-babysitter, Callie, Pete will have to rely on every gaming trick in his repertoire to save his dad and avert the ultimate GAME OVER. Joe Schreiber draws on classic video game references and middle grade humor to present an entertaining tale of embarrassing crushes, awkward friendships, and spy adventures. Filled with cartoon doodles and flip book art, Game Over, Pete Watson will appeal to video game-loving, Diary of a Wimpy Kid fans. Grades 4-6

FALLOUT AND FORENSICS

The last review by Mr. B. of the Grandview Branch, who is now retiring.  He will be missed. 

Forensics and CSI fans, rejoice; this is a thriller just for you. On Saturday morning, thirteen year old Oz Keiller discovers a body in The Cold Case (walk-in freezer) at his mom’s restaurant. Oz’ older brother Dave, chef and now acting manager while mom is out of town, is arrested when his personal chef’s knife is found in the bushes outside the restaurant and identified as the murder weapon. The news that the dead man ate dinner in  the restaurant Friday night, and that he was the reporter who years ago had labeled Oz’ late father a traitor for selling nuclear secrets to the Russians leaves Oz as angry and hurt as he is shaken. No one had ever told him about his father’s case.  

After he pulls himself together, Oz calls his best friend Rusty, a girl obsessed with forensics techniques. Over the next four days, while attempting to clear Dave and to prove his father’s innocence, Oz witnesses another murder; and he and Rusty dodge spies, politicians, police, reporters, blackmailers, the killer, and uncover evidence solving a related “Cold Case.”  Julia Platt Leonard’s thriller, set in New Mexico, pulls the reader in and doesn’t let go until the last pages when Oz discovers a surprise conspirator.

Age: 11-14

I SPY WITH MY LITTLE EYE

Georges (the S is silent) just moved into an apartment from a beautiful house that his father designed because his dad lost his job.  His mom, who is a nurse, is always at the hospital and Georges hasn't seen her in weeks.  At school, Georges is getting bullied and is having a hard time making and keeping friends in 7th grade when his best friend suddenly abandons him for the cool kids.

One day, Georges and his dad see a notice for a "Spy Club" meeting in the basement of their apartment building and Georges' dad makes him go check it out.  Hanging out in the basement is super creepy and when he opens the door all he sees is a little girl sitting cross-legged on the table.  He discovers her name is Candy and she's scouting the location for her brother, Safer.  The two boys don't fall into an instant friendship - Georges needs someone to hang out with and Safer doesn't seem to give him much choice.  Safer teaches Georges the ins and outs of becoming a spy which include surveillance tactics and being more observant.  Much of the time, though, it feels like Safer is lying, or at least with holding the truth from Georges, which Georges definitely doesn't like. The spying becomes all too real with Safer convinces Georges that their neighbor, Mr. X is up to something very secretive - but what they really discover is that Mr. X isn't the only one with secrets.

Join Georges and Safer's Spy Club in Rebecca Stead's novel for Grades 6-8, Liar and Spy.

THE KID WHO WENT TO SPY SCHOOL

Ben has just been recruited to become a spy and train at a very secret spy school but he soon realizes that he is in way over his head.  His personal file lists skills he doesn't have and as soon as he walks onto the school campus, he has to fight for his life.  

Spy School by Stuart Gibbs author of Belly Up.  If you liked the intrigue and adventure of Belly Up then you will also enjoy reading this fast paced story of a middle school spy wannabe.  

For readers in 6th-8th grades.  

INVISIBLE SHADOWS

After his father’s sudden disappearance, 12 year old Cully takes a job at Batty’s Antique Shop to help with the family finances.  Little does he know that old man Batty is interested in more than antiques.  He collects (really, though, steals) people’s shadows, which seems weird at first, but even weirder when Cully sees how people react once their shadows are in the hands of Mr. Batty.  With the help of friends, Cully uses unique spy tactics to solve the mystery of where his father went and what Mr. Batty does with those shadows once they no longer have an owner.

A cross between mystery, fantasy, and spy novels, The Shadow Collector’s Apprentice by Amy Gordon will appeal to readers in 4^th – 7^th grades. 

A NEW SPY ADVENTURE

Q, short for Quest, and his newly minted stepsister are quickly thrown into a world of spies and lies when their parents' honeymoon/music tour turn into an adventure in dodging agents from the Mossad, the Israeli spy agency. Angela has been led to believe that her mother, a secret Service agent, died protecting the United States. All that is being questioned now as foreign spies follow them in order to track down her mother, believed to be still alive and one of the world's most deadly terrorist.

I.Q.: Book One: Independence Hall by Roland Smith is a fast pace thrilling spy adventure for readers in 7th-9th grade. A new spy series.

SPIES IN THE LIBRARY

Steve loves the Bailey Brothers stories, detectives extraordinaire, and has read all their books. He studied everything there is to know about being a detective and hopes to become one just like them. His hopes are realized when he is mistaken a "bad guy" while doing research for a homework assignment at the library! Now he must figure out who the real spy selling government secrets is in order to save himself. Who knew that the library could be such a dangerous place and that librarians are really secret agents?

The Case of the Case of Mistaken Identity: A Brixton Brothers Series by Mac Barnett is for readers in 4th through 6th grade looking for some action.

SUPER COOL SOCIALLY MISFIT SPIES!

Braces. That's how Jackson, a once popular kid turns into one that the popular kids pick on. He loses his identity & cool standing but this gives him the opportunity to observe his classmates, discovering that the nerds are really spies operating right from inside the school! When Jackson himself accidentally becomes a spy and is reluctantly inducted into N.E.R.D.S. he realizes that all their supposed nerdish qualities have been retooled to become their greatest weapons and that includes his wicked new braces.

N.E.R.D.S: National Espionage, Defense and Rescue Society by Michael Buckley is very funny spy book with all the great gadgets and action of Alex Ryder and the humor of The Sisters Grimm. For readers in 5th -8th grade.

CASE OF THE CRYPTIC CRYNOLINE

Enola meets Florence Nightingale, a woman of definite independence and progressive ideals, when her landlady asks Enola for help after getting threatening messages. Enola, this time crosses paths with her older and famous brother, Sherlock, as both work on the same case but from different angles. Determined to help her landlady Enola discovers that maybe Florence Nightingale was not just a nurse during the Crimea War, but perhaps also a SPY!

Another super suspenseful adventure in which Enola Holmes tries to outwit her brother and villanous lords. The Case of the Cryptic Crynoline by Nancy Springer is for 6th - 8th graders.

THE TRUE MEANING OF STRUGGLE

Isabel is a slave. Her mother is dead, she is sold to dreadful owners, her sister is sent away, and she suffers physical and mental punishment on a daily basis. But CHAINS by Laurie Halse Anderson (who also wrote the award winning novel SPEAK) is a fascinating book. Not only do you get a grueling perspective on the life of a slave, the story provides a unique window for seeing what it was like during the Revolutionary War. As Isabel struggles to decide her fate, she spies on the King's supporters and delivers food to the prisoners the British have captured. It isn't long before everything spirals out of control and Isabel must make some major decisions. This is the first in a new series. For grades 4 and up

SECRETS AND LIES

Go ahead and spy on this book and it will be alright if you get caught. You might not find out a lot of secrets by reading this book since many of the spies don't reveal their secrets. However, you will learn about the different gizmos that were used in their missions. You will also learn about some of the famous spies and their impossible missions. This books will not bore you, even if you are a reluctant reader. You will also learn about codes, code makers and the code breakers. SECRETS, LIES, GIZMOS, AND SPIES: A HISTORY OF SPIES AND ESPIONAGE by JANET WYMAN COLEMAN is a cool book to read and share with friends and family.

For grades six and older.