12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (2024)

This post may contain affiliate links.

By Melissa Taylor

Posted on

Share

Pin

Post

Who doesn’t love thrilling adventures with spies? Check out these spy books for kids because there’s a good chance you’ll find LOTS of great book ideas to keep your readers reading for days.

Spy books are filled with action, adventure, thrilling daring close calls or escapes, and above all, a mystery to solve.

I recommend the following chapter books and middle grade books for your readers who like action, adventure, and exciting, twisty plots.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (1)

Spy Books for Kids

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (2)
Secret Agent, Jack Stalwart
by Elizabeth Singer Hunt12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (3)(ages 6 – 9)
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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (4)
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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (5)

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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (6)
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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (7)
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!

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (8)

School for S.P.I.E.S. Playing with Firebook 1 by Bruce Hale, illustrated by Brandon Dorman
(ages 8 – 12)
When Max gets kicked out of another foster home, he’ssent 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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (9)

Jada Sly, Artist & Spyby 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?

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (10)

City Spiesby 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’lllove 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!

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (11)

Max in the House of Spies: A Tale of World War IIwritten by Adam Gitwitz
(ages 9 – 12)
Max in the House of Spiesis exceptional, with suspense, excitement, danger, and a dash of humor plus the story is meaningful and important.Max is a super-smartJewishboy living in Germany during World War II. He loves his family and tinkering with radios. Then,his parents send Max to safety on the Kindertransport.He’s joined by two personality-filled (grumpy) mythical creatures, a dybbuk and a kobold, living on his shoulders. Once in England, Max’s sole focus is returning to Germany to help his parents. His clever tactics impress the British spies, and the government agrees to recruit Max…if he can pass their rigorous spy training.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (12)
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!

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (13)
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!

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (14)

Urban Outlaws: An Unstoppable Teamby 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.

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (15)

A School for Unusual Girlsby 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 femalespies 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!

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (16)

You Might Also Like:

Mystery Books for Kids

Sherlock Holmes Books for Kids

Adventure Chapter Books for Kids

Spy Chapter Books for Kids

Greek Myths for Kids

Recommended Historical Fiction Books for Kids

Kindergarten Books

1st Grade Books

2nd Grade Books

3rd Grade Books

4th Grade Books

5th Grade Books

6th Grade Books

7th Grade Books

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (17)

Melissa Taylor

Melissa Taylor, MA, is the creator of Imagination Soup. She's a mother, former teacher & literacy trainer, and freelance education writer. She writes Imagination Soup and freelances for publications online and in print, including Penguin Random House's Brightly website, USA Today Health, Adobe Education, Colorado Parent, and Parenting. She is passionate about matching kids with books that they'll love.

Similar Posts

New for 2017! Non Fiction Books for Kids

DIY Washi and Duct Tape Gifts for Teachers

Learning Toys for Kids

Christmas Writing Prompts for Kids

Squeebles Apps Make Homework Easier (and Fun)

Pretend Play Post Office

Leave a Reply

12 Exciting Spy Books for Kids - Imagination Soup (2024)

FAQs

What grade are the spy school books for? ›

Obviously kids' reading levels and interests vary, and lots of adults like to read kids books(!), but generally speaking... Stuart Gibbs According to the publisher, the official recommended age is 8-12. I know of kids who have read it at seven.

How many books are in Spy kids? ›

Between 2003 and 2004, Disney-Hyperion released ten novels of a book series titled Spy Kids Adventures, written by Elizabeth Lenhard.

What do I SPY books teach? ›

These books teach kids how to observe their surroundings and look for patterns in the world around them, skills that will help them succeed in all subjects. They're also great for building vocabulary, problem-solving skills, and persistence.

How to be spy books? ›

Top Spy Books
  1. Nuking the Moon by Vince Houghton.
  2. The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics That Helped America Win the Cold War by Jonna Mendez.
  3. The Scientist and the Spy: A True Story of China, the FBI, and Industrial Espionage by Mara Hvistendahl.
  4. Three Ordinary Girls by Tim Brady.
  5. American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson.

Does Spy School have cuss words? ›

This is a very captivating and fun book to read or listen to. It's engaging for adults too. That said, we are six chapters in and there have already been four swear words.

Does Erica like Mike in Spy School? ›

Later in the book, Erica states that she doesn't have a crush on Mike and merely likes him as a friend.

Are I Spy books good for your brain? ›

Using I SPY books also helps strengthen working memory. In I SPY Animals, your child searches the image for different objects and creatures. A fun rhyming text lists the items you need to find in the picture. Your child will build his working memory by remembering the clever list of items he needs to find.

What age are I Spy books for? ›

I Spy books come in a variety of difficulties for toddlers up to kids age 10.

What is book 11 in Spy School? ›

In Spy School Goes North, readers learn that Russia has a long history with Alaska, including former ownership and the experience of selling the land to the United States.

Can a 14 year old become a spy? ›

A secret agent can be anyboby of any age. If you're thinking of a full time government agent then, no. There are age and educational requirements along withh appropriate training. What are some tips for becoming a spy?

Is it illegal to be a spy? ›

During times of war, espionage against a nation is a crime under the legal code of many nations as well as under international law, and cyber espionage is no different. During peacetime, however, it can be a lot trickier to figure out when espionage crosses the line into illegality—all the more so for cyber spying.

Can a girl be a spy? ›

MATA HARI. Mata Hari embodied all the intrigue of espionage and remains the most famous female spy in history. The dancer turned WWI spy is said to have seduced diplomats and military officers into giving up their secrets.

What age is appropriate for Spy School? ›

SPY SCHOOL's a fun, fast-paced read for middle schoolers up to teens.

What age are spy family books for? ›

This is rated Older Teen+ 16 and up. Although in my perspective I read and would recommend it to 12-13 year old's. There is very minor use of swearing that only happened one or twice-in other words not frequent. There is barely any romance and no sexual content.

What reading level is spy camp? ›

Spy Camp (Reading Level W) | World's Biggest Leveled Book Database | Readu.

Is Spy School Goes North appropriate? ›

This book is best suited for ages 10-14, both boys and girls will enjoy. The series is starting to feel a little long and predictable. I do plan to continue if the series is not yet complete. I give the story 3.5 stars because it was ok, but it didn't blow me away.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Last Updated:

Views: 6002

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (43 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Birthday: 2001-08-13

Address: 96487 Kris Cliff, Teresiafurt, WI 95201

Phone: +9418513585781

Job: Senior Designer

Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.