Ben Ripley is astounded when he’s whisked off to the secret CIA-run spy school outside Washington, D.C. The boarding school for kids from sixth through twelfth grades trains America’s future spies. But there’s a mole in the school, leaking secrets to enemy governments, and Ben discovers he’s been hand-picked to attend not because he’s great spy material, but to set a trap. The CIA has created a false profile indicating Ben is a brilliant cryptologist, making him a target for would-be assassins. Trying to avoid being kidnapped or killed, Ben finds his only ally—and in fact the one person who seems able to outsmart both enemy spies and school and CIA officials—is über-student Erika, daughter of the dashing and famous American spy Alexander Hale. Stuart Gibbs’s over-the-top story has elements of Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, and the movie Spy Kids¸but the result is an original blend full of action, adventure, and abundant humor. (Ages 9–12)

“Combines Alex Rider’s espionage skills with a huge dose of the sarcasm of Artemis Fowl.” —School Library Journal

Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent? In the first book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, Ben Ripley sure hopes so—and his life may depend on it!

Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he’s already pegged his dream job: CIA or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn’t exactly scream “secret agent.” In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science—but he’s entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior CIA academy. Could the CIA really want him?