12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids
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Who doesn’t love thrilling adventures with spies? Check out these spy books for kids — there’s a good chance you’ll find LOTS of great book ideas to keep you reading for days.
Spy books are filled with action, adventure, thrilling daring close calls or escapes, and above all, a mystery to solve.
Enjoy!
Spy Books for Kids
Secret Agent, Jack Stalwart by Elizabeth Singer Hunt
In this action-packed book series, nine-year-old secret agent Jack Stalwart travels the globe in search of his missing older brother Max while solving international crimes for the Global Protection Force.
Secret Spy Society The Case of the Missing Cheetah by Veronica Mang
(ages 6 – 9)
Three friends out that their teacher is a spy…and when she catches them watching her, they meet her spy friends. The female spies, all historically famous from different time periods, ask the friends to help them spy on a neighbor because they think that he kidnapped Josephine Baker’s pet cheetah. Not only do the girls spy on him, but they sneak into his house, find the cheetah, and get caught. Luckily, the Lady Spies come to the rescue! Afterward, the girls decide to emulate their new spy friends and make a spy club of their own.
Mac Undercover (Kid Spy #1) by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Mike Lowery
(ages 7 – 10)
This funny adventure is about a kid who the queen of England uses to solve an important mystery…You’ll need to withhold disbelief, or at least I did, but it’s super cute and popular with many readers. The story includes lots of illustrations, fabulous vocabulary (regicide, for example), and a problem solver main character.
Spy Camp series by Stuart Gibbs
(ages 8 – 12)
12-year-old Ben is accidentally recruited for a secret spy school. Which he kind of loves. Even though people are trying to kill him. And even though he’s not an encryption wizard. This is a fantastic, fast-paced, and hilarious adventure series.
H.I.V.E. (Higher Institute of Villainous Education) by Mark Walden
(ages 8 – 12)
Otto is a prime candidate to become a supervillain says the school H.I.V.E. that kidnaps him, enrolling him unwillingly in their island school for villains. Otto and his classmates plan a daring break-out. Plus they need to stop the mutant flesh-eating plant that’s attacking everyone in the school. A great adventure series!
School for S.P.I.E.S. Playing with Fire book 1 by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Brandon Dorman
(ages 8 – 12)
When Max gets kicked out of another foster home, he’s sent to an Orphanage, which is actually a training school for spies. Great action and plotting will hook you right away. I enjoyed this book and am glad the 2nd book is already out.
Jada Sly, Artist & Spy by Sherri Winston
(ages 8 – 12)
I really liked this well-plotted mystery and think your readers will, too– the writing is great, and the story is engaging. Jada has recently moved from France back to New York City after her Mama’s plane crashed 6 months before. But Jada still thinks her mom’s alive. This, of course, makes her father think that Jada is not accepting reality. What her father doesn’t know is there’s been a man following Jada and she has actually seen her mom. What is going on?
City Spies by James Ponti
(ages 9 – 12)
When Sara, a foster kid and hacker, gets in trouble again, her new so-called lawyer recruits her to be an MI6 spy. Sara joins a team of other kids, trains quickly, and is immediately sent undercover to break open a big case in Paris. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I predict you’ll love every second of this action-packed story! It’s filled with great characters and an interesting twisty plot. You won’t be able to put this book series down!
Crime Travelers by Paul Aertker (A Lucas Benes Novel)
(ages 8 – 12)
This action-packed adventure of teenage spies proves that kids are totally capable, smart, and able to handle anything — even brainwashing, crime, and a stolen baby. All in Paris!
Crossing the Line (The Raven Files) by Meghan Rogers
(ages 8 – 12)
This is a captivating, action-packed story about a former teenage North Korean spy and assassin, Jocelyn. Now she’s in the U.S. working with her parents’ previous spy agency. She’s supposed to feed North Korea intel, but she’s giving them garbage because she’s loyal to the U.S. Life is complicated. No one trusts her. And there’s still the problem of her missing father. Cliffhanger alert!
Urban Outlaws: An Unstoppable Team by Peter Jay Black
(ages 8 – 12)
These smart orphan kids live on their own under the subway. They use their brilliance to help others by stealing from crooks and redistributing wealth. In this adventure, they steal a super-spy computer that, if in the wrong hands, would be terrifying. This is a very entertaining and action-packed spy book for kids.
A School for Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin
ages 13+
Sent to the Stranje House for burning down her family’s barn after a failed invisible ink science experiment, Georgina soon learns it’s not really a reform school but a sanctuary for smart female spies who can help the British government. It’s 1814, and the government is desperate for Georgina to succeed with her ink so they can successfully send messages across enemy lines. Entertaining and adventurous!
