It's time to let that 'Mission Impossible' song play in your head because today's read heads into a spy adventure. According to the title, there's something fishy going on in a library. I never would suspect that a spy would be in a library...well, maybe for research or leisurely reading, but what do I know? This book is part of a series, and I'm getting the feeling that it doesn't matter which one you pick-up first, which is great. I'm a little curious to see if it's really for the 9 to 12 age group as advertised, considering it's only 40 pages, but maybe, it is.
Let's open it up and see what this mystery holds!
THE SPY IN THE LIBRARY
Junior Spies
by Bryan Patrick Avery
Illustrated by Ma Pe
Stone Arch Books
40 pages
ages 7 to 8
COMING JANUARY 1st!!!
The Junior Spies are at it again! This time, their mission is to memorize a name written inside a magic book. But Kat and Harry soon discover the name is encrypted with a cipher. Can they crack the code before a R.A.V.E.N. agent steals the book? Young readers will find out in this hi-lo spy adventure! With a high-interest topic and text written below the targeted grade level, every book in the Junior Spies series supports phonics skills and fosters reading success.
MY TIDBITS
Evil agents have no chance when the Junior Spies are involved.
Kat and Harry are part of JS, Junior Spies, a group which constantly tries to thwart the evil association of R.A.V.E.N.. Their next mission sends the two spies to a magic academy, where they are to follow clues to reach a major breakthrough on revealing who R.A.V.E.N. is. They go undercover as guests to a magic show but need to figure out a riddle in the academy's library. Unfortunately, one of the teachers isn't going to let them wander around as they wish, since they are there for the show. But Kat and Harry aren't easily stopped.
This is a grabbing spy tale for beginning readers, and it's very well placed for that age group. It begins with a short introduction to the JS, heads into a glossary with the definition of some more difficult terms, shortly explains some spy details, and then, dives into the story. The spy details might need to be read by an assisting, higher-level reader (teacher, parent, librarian, etc), but after that, this tale fits beginning readers nicely. The sentences are kept short, the font is large, the spacing is ample, and the vocabulary works the word skills without growing too heavy. But what I enjoyed most is that the tale is grabbing.
Kat and Harry make a fun duo, and their mission packs tension. The importance of the mission is clear, and the riddles and clues will have readers trying to figure out the answers right along with Kat and Harry. The bright and colorful illustrations add details to set the mood, and especially make magic academy's teacher come across with just the right atmosphere. The entire thing remains exciting and draws in. Plus it accomplishes this while staying completely appropriate for the age group. Add a couple comprehension questions and short writing prompts at the end, and it even works well for classroom or homeschooling settings.
In other words, this is a book for beginning readers to pick up and enjoy.
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