Detective/Spy
Artemis Fowl #4: The Opal Deception by Eoin Colfer
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.27, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Fantasy, Mystery, Student Reviews
Review by Zach L.
Who would like this book? People who might like this book are, well, anyone. This is a great all-around book if you like mystery and fantasy.
The goods on this book: In this book, Opal is back and she wants revenge. She’s going after Holly, Artemis, Butler and Julius. She’s had a whole year to think about it. Her plan is foolproof. Right? Who will win this epic?
The details: 342 pages; 2005 Review by Zach L.
N.E.R.D.S: M Is For Mama’s Boy by Michael Buckley
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Apr.01, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Humorous, Student Reviews
Review by Maylie N.
Who would like this book? I think both genders of ages 8 and up will enjoy this thrilling, creative, and action- packed book. Adults or older teens may not like it as much, but it will still be enjoyable to them. Fans of spies and superheroes will like this book as well.
The goods on this book: This story takes place in the present (or maybe a little into the future) times in America. The N.E.R.D.S (National Espionage, Rescue, and Defense Society), a group of spy elementary schoolers, are at it again, this time facing an old enemy. This enemy has a dastardly plan and people (and animals) to help with it. Duncan, A.K.A Gluestick, a member of the N.E.R.D.S, joins up with his teammates to stop him. But oh no! The villain has concocted a device that deprives them of their powers! Duncan is devastated. He relies on his powers, along with technology, to be a good spy, and now he can only rely on tech. But what will happen when technology is taken from him too? I really like this book series and plan on reading more of it. The story is very clear and easy to follow, and Buckley throws in some clever humor to lighten the mood. This is a great book to read when you feel like having an adventure!
The details: 246 pages; 2010 Review by Maylie N.
A Spy in the House: The Agency #1 by Y. S. Lee
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.24, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Student Reviews
Review by Grace N.
Who would like this book? Girls would probably like this book better than boys, ages 12-15. It has plenty of mystery to keep you up at night, with suspense and romance that’s very appealing to readers, all in an old Victorian time setting.
The goods on this book: Mary wishes for something more out of her education at Ms. Scrimshaw’s Academy for Girls. So when the academy turns out to be a cover for the Agency, a secret group of female detectives that are highly skilled, Mary doesn’t hesitate to join. Her first case concerns missing cargo ships owned by a rich businessman, and Mary’s determined to solve the case. Disguised as a paid companion to the vicious Angelica Thorold, and nobody, not even a handsome engineer would suspect a thing about Mary Quinn…she hopes.
The details: 335 pages; 2010 Review by Grace N.
Bad Times, Big Crimes by Carolyn Keene
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Feb.12, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Historical Fiction, Mystery, Student Reviews
Review by Sophie U.
Who would like this book? The people who would like this book are people who like reading about the Great Depression and people who like mysteries.
The goods on this book: Nancy Drew, a detective, time travels to the 1930s. In the 1930s, she meets a family who has just been cheated out of their house. She decides to find out who cheated them out of their house and to find out why. She discovers that the people who cheated their family out of their house were famous gangsters named Loretta and Clay Gaines. Will Nancy be able to catch the Gaineses, or will the Gaineses take everyone’s money?
The details: 139 pages; 2005 Review by Sophie U.
Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life by Wendy Mass
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.26, 2015, under Battle of the Books 2011-2012, Detective/Spy, Grief, Mystery, Real life, Student Reviews
Review by Kennedy H.
Who would like this book? I think both genders would enjoy this book very much. Ages 11-13 or 14 would probably like this book the most. Also, people who like action fiction that has some plot twists to it would like this book a lot!
The goods on this book: Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life is a great book! It’s set in present-day New York and is about two best friends, Jeremy Fink and Lizzie Muldoun. Lizzie is an outgoing girl who is willing to do anything to get what she wants. Jeremy likes staying in his comfort zone, staying safe, and collecting candy. They’re searching for the four missing keys to the box Jeremy’s deceased father gave to him. The problem is, he doesn’t know where to look for them. Jeremy and Lizzie search all over New York and meet a lot of new people and do a lot of new things that they had no idea they would do! I think this book was really good and kept me wanting to read more. Wendy Mass is a fantastic author, and this is another one of her great books!
The details: 289 pages; 2006 Review by Kennedy H.
The Mystery at Lilac Inn by Carolyn Keene
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Jan.13, 2015, under Detective/Spy, Mystery, Student Reviews
Review by Sophie U.
Who would like this book? The people who would like this book are people who like great mysteries.
The goods on this book: Nancy Drew and her friend Helen Corning are going to visit Emily Willoughby, who is about to get married. On the way to Lilac Inn, the inn that Emily and her fiance Dick bought, Nancy sees her friend Doris Drake who tells her that she has a double. Nancy and Helen are surprised but do not think anything dangerous will happen. When they get to Lilac Inn, Emily tells them about strange things that have been happening at Lilac Inn. Nancy begins to wonder if her double has anything to do with it or if Mary Mason, a waitress that just quit, knows anything about it. This is a great mystery that keeps you wondering what will happen next.
The details: 180 pages; 1961 Review by Sophie U.
The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Dec.02, 2014, under Detective/Spy, Horror, Student Reviews, Supernatural
Review by Anne H.
Who would like this book? This is a book for those who like the supernatural.
The goods on this book: Rory (short for Aurora) is a fairly normal girl from Louisiana who has just moved to a Britain boarding school. Her daily activities consist of going to seven classes with an hour of field hockey, talking to her best friend and roommate Jazz, snogging Jerome, and — oh yeah — seeing the dead. After Rory’s brush with death, she can suddenly see people that no one else can. Next thing she knows, one of the people that no one else can see is right next to a murder and she’s a witness. She thinks the police will think she is crazy until she finds out her new roommate Boo is a cop that is from a special branch of the government assigned to the supernatural, or should I say ghosts. The copy-cat Jack the Ripper killer is a ghost, and it’s up to them to stop him. But remember this: ” THE NAME OF THE STAR IS WHAT YOU FEAR.”
The details: 372 pages; 2011
Genius Squad by Catherine Jinks
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Nov.14, 2014, under Detective/Spy, Science Fiction, Student Reviews
Review by Nick H.
Who would like this book? People who like a darker book and have read the first book, Evil Genius, would like this book.
The goods on this book: Cadel Piggott was living in a safe house because the police wanted to make sure that he was safe. Cadel hated it there because it was bland and boring. The police decided that it was safe enough for Cadel to leave. He was put into a foster home because he was not old enough to live on his own. He hated it even more than the safe house because the people were mean, and the other kids tormented him. Then, the Genius Squad offered to Cadel to join them and moved him to Clearview Manor. The Genius Squad is trying to take down an evil corporation, GenoME. His job is to hack into the computers. Will a pair of bars be able to keep the evil Prosper English from Cadel? Will the Genius Squad be able to take down GenoME? This is an amazing book! I can’t wait to read the third in the series.
The details: 436 pagers; 2008 Review by Nick H.
Liar and Spy by Rebecca Stead
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Oct.27, 2014, under Detective/Spy, Real life, Sam's Reviews, YRCA
Review by Samrarian
Who would like this book? Thoughtful readers, grades 5 and up, looking for a well-crafted story about friendship, family, and belonging.
The goods on this book: Georges, a 7th grader in Brooklyn, New York, has a lot to handle. His architect father has lost his job and their family has had to move from their house (and his amazing bedroom) to an apartment. His father is pursuing a new career idea while his mom works double shifts at the hospital. At school, Georges dodges bullies and is ignored by his long-time friend. In his new apartment building, he replies to an ad for a spy club and meets Safer, a home-schooled kid obsessed with spying on a man who lives upstairs from Georges. As Georges navigates this new friendship and his family’s new situation, the reader gets to know him well. Rebecca Stead is so good at developing characters that are complex and building plots that twist in very unexpected ways. Both of these traits are in fine form in Liar and Spy, making this quiet book very worthwhile to read and possibly read again.
The details: 180 pages; 2012 Review by Samrarian
I.Q. Book Three: Kitty Hawk by Roland Smith
by Sam Arnold-Boyd on Mar.17, 2014, under Adventure, Detective/Spy, Mystery, Student Reviews
Review by Spencer D.
Who would like this book? Anyone who read the first two books and who wants to read about retired spies, adventure, mystery, and other amazing stuff like that. Also, those who love good books by Roland Smith!
The goods on this book: This book takes place in Washington D.C., where Q and Angela find out Boone has unusual powers! He can do the impossible and appears to be ageless! Same with Croc, Boone’s old dog, who is older than 12 (human) years! Q and Angela follow the president’s daughter, Bethany, who was kidnapped by terrorists, and is riding in a truck to Kitty Hawk Harbor! What is going on with Boone and Croc? Why are they supposedly ageless? Why was Bethany kidnapped? And why is Malak now in “The Five”? Find out when you read more about I.Q.!
The details: 229 pages; 2012 Review by Spencer D.
