{"id":25873,"date":"2025-06-24T06:46:09","date_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:46:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/?p=25873"},"modified":"2025-06-24T06:51:57","modified_gmt":"2025-06-24T10:51:57","slug":"15-middle-grade-books-about-spies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/readingmiddlegrade.com\/15-middle-grade-books-about-spies\/","title":{"rendered":"Thrilling Middle Grade Books About Spies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

I don’t know about you, but I definitely pretended to be a spy when I was a kid. Amazingly, though, the tweens in these middle grade spy books aren’t pretending! If you or your kids are looking for high-speed, high-wit spy adventures to take vicariously, then this list is for you.<\/p>\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

If you’re curious about the content of the books on my list, you can get access to my Content Notes Database<\/a>, where I share information about what to expect from all the books on my lists.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join our Patreon community<\/a> to get the printable version of this li<\/b>st<\/strong>! You’ll also get access to other kid lit resources and perks, like our seasonal guides, book tasting menus, and book discussion guides, to inspire you. You can also\u00a0buy the standalone printable\u00a0from our shop<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

High-Action Middle Grade Spy Books I Love Recommending<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Spy School<\/h2><\/div>
By Stuart Gibbs
Published: March 6, 2012<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Ben Ripley\u2019s life does a 180 when he gets an invitation to work for the CIA, only to find out that it was a case of mistaken identity because someone on the inside has a secret ploy against the agency. With a new crush roping him into an undercover mission to unravel the plot, Ben discovers that he\u2019s actually not half-bad at being a spy. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

City Spies<\/h2><\/div>
By James Ponti
Published: March 10, 2020<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Twelve-year-old Sara Martinez is a hacker bouncing from foster home to foster home in Brooklyn, New York. After getting arrested for hacking into the NYC foster care system to expose her foster parents as criminals, she meets a man named Mother, who gets her to join a team of kid spies operating out of a base in Scotland. As Sara adjusts, the team prepares for their first mission in Paris, France, even as Mother is working hard to find his two kids lost as a consequence of a previous mission. This is an excellent start to an exciting mystery series that both kids and adults can enjoy. Ages 9+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Confessions of a Junior Spy<\/h2><\/div>
By Rosaria Munda
Published: June 10, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bea is a child of spies living in the Pangean Hotel, a sanctuary for spies. Her dad is a hotel chef and her mom is a former assassin turned peacekeeping spy. Bea really wants to become a spy, but her mom wants her to lead a normal life\u2013and really, Bea isn\u2019t sure she can be a spy because she hasn\u2019t gotten her \u201cKnack\u201d yet. Knacks are special skills that every spy gets at some point in their life. Bea\u2019s mom has a gun Knack and her best friend Tommy has a cleaning Knack. But everything changes when Bea gets her Knack and a new girl moves into the hotel with her family, bringing a bounty hunter, more danger, and a real look into the spy life for Bea. I listened to this one on audio, and with Jesse Vilinsky as the narrator, this book really sings on audio. It\u2019s very entertaining and feels like a step behind the City Spies series. The shorter length and younger (quirkier, funnier) voice make it a better fit for younger audiences, although there are guns and knives. All in all, a highly entertaining, cinematic series starter that kids will love. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Concealed<\/h2><\/div>
By Christina Diaz Gonzalez
Published: October 19, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

12-year-old Katrina has had a long line of names beginning with letters of the alphabet A-K so far. Her last two names were Ivette and then Joanna. Her whole life as she remembers, her parents have been moving her from city to city and changing their names after every move. When they move this time, Katrina finds a new friend named Parker and a slip-up on her part leads to both her parents being kidnapped, leaving her to fend for herself with Parker\u2019s help. Things begin to unravel when she discovers that her parents are not in the Witness Protection Program like they claimed to be, but rather that they\u2019re on the run. This is an engaging middle grade spy book with a clever female protagonist trying to piece together her identity. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
READ MY REVIEW<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls<\/h2><\/div>
By Beth McMullen
Published: July 4, 2017<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book, all about a girl who gets sent to a private boarding school, only to discover that it\u2019s a cover for a girls’ spy school is surprisingly funny, action-packed, and full of heart. I recommend the audiobook, which is beautifully done. Ages 10+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Alex Rider: Stormbreaker<\/h2><\/div>
By Anthony Horowitz
Published: May 21, 2001<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This London-set thriller about a boy who\u2019s roped into joining a group of spies after his uncle (and guardian\u2019s) death is suspenseful and especially fun on audio. Ages 10+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

The Bletchley Riddle<\/h2><\/div>
By Ruta Sepetys and Steve Sheinkin
Published: October 8, 2024<\/strong> <\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This historical mystery combines the literary prowess of author Ruta Sepetys with Steve Sheinkin\u2019s narrative skills as we follow two siblings during WWII in England trying to find their missing mother and help the British army defeat the Nazis. With two teenage protagonists, this one straddles the line between middle grade and YA, although the content is more middle grade than YA. It is gripping, hard to put down, and brilliantly plotted. Hand to fans of fast-paced mysteries, whether or not they love historical fiction. Ages 10+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Mac B Kid Spy<\/h2><\/div>
By Mac Barnett (Author), Mike Lowery (Illustrator)
Published: September 21, 2021<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This hilarious spy story of a boy recruited by the Queen of England to retrieve England\u2019s crown jewels is ridiculous in the best way. The illustrations and humor in this one make it perfect for young readers who love funny chapter books. Ages 7+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

The League of Littles<\/h2><\/div>
By  Casey Lyall (Author), Sara Faber (Illustrator)
Published: June 17, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

I LOVED this young graphic novel about three groups of kids (the bigs, the guild of middles and onlys, and the league of littles). Although the story focuses on the league of little\u2019s first mission, we quickly see how the bigs and middle play into the plot. The League of Littles set out to help a lastborn who loses her older sister\u2019s hamster, but they run into some unexpected complications. Can they make the rescue? This story is so out there, but it\u2019s also a lot of fun and perfect for the lower middle-grade group who like realistic graphics with a touch of humor and adventure. The illustrations are gorgeous and make this story all the more engaging to read. There\u2019s also the spy element, complete with individual case files, similar to those found in the City Spies books. I\u2019ll definitely be following this series closely! Ages 7+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Charlie Thorne and the Last Equation<\/h2><\/div>
By  Stuart Gibbs 
Published: September 17, 2019<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This series feels like the closest readalike in terms of globetrotting, suspense and enjoyment level, and spy hijinks. The main difference is that it stars one girl. Charlie Thorne is a genius tween recruited by the CIA to help stop a terrorist group from accessing a potentially destructive equation by Albert Einstein. It\u2019s fabulous on audio and great for mature 5th graders and middle schoolers. Ages 10+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

The Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls<\/h2><\/div>
By Judith Rossell
Published: May 27, 2025<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Three orphaned girls end up at the Midwatch Institute for Wayward Girls, expecting an utterly dreary existence, but fall into a school that trains girls to solve mysteries and fight bad guys. As they investigate the mystery of a missing woman in their city, more secrets come to light and the girls fight to save the day without losing their lives. This whimsical, engrossing middle grade mystery with a hint of the fantastical is perfect for fans of Millicent Quibb<\/em> and Lemony Snicket<\/em>. Gorgeously illustrated with black and white imagery and footnotes in every chapter, it\u2019s an absolute delight to read aloud and sure to be beloved by younger and older middle grade readers alike. Ages 10+<\/strong>
.<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem<\/h2><\/div>
By Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith (Author), Molly Murakami (Illustrator)
Published: March 5, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This is an entertaining graphic novel about cousins Maya and Riley (Black and Muscogee), who end up living with their grandmother when Maya\u2019s parents are deployed, and Riley\u2019s parents move back in with her grandmother. At school, the girls quickly realize that their vice principal is suspicious, slashing arts, robotics, and any budgets possible in favor of increasing the number of detention classrooms. With their grandmother\u2019s advice about using their voices firm in their mind, the girls hatch a plan to expose VP Balderdash\u2019s schemes. I loved many things about this series starter, including the natural, subtle way both girls share about their heritage and how they find home and community with their grandmother. This is also super short (under 200 pages), and the superhero and planning scenes feel like something out of a Spy Kids movie. Ages 8+<\/strong><\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"\/<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n
\n

Spy Ring<\/h2><\/div>
By Sarah Beth Durst
Published: May 21, 2024<\/strong><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This book is set in modern times but follows two best friends (soon-to-be sixth graders) who stumble upon a family heirloom of Nancy Strong Smith. In solving the mystery, they learn a ton about Revolutionary period history. The story is under 200 pages long, and I think younger kids in grades 3+ will like it as a read-aloud because of the mystery element. Still, it also fills a gaping hole for historical fiction set in the Revolutionary period. Ages 9+<\/strong>
<\/p> <\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
BUY ON AMAZON<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n

More Middle Grade Book Lists<\/h2>\n\n\n\n