August 15, 2014
When 16-year-old Spencer's cousins decide to investigate their mysterious grandfather, Spencer is not sure he wants any part of it. But when his brother, Bunny, is kidnapped by a radical political faction from the tiny backward nation of Pianvia, he quickly finds he is involved, like it or not. For Spencer, a budding filmmaker who harbors a secret desire to be James Bond, the cloak-and-dagger spy world is a perfect fit. However, he quickly finds out that being a spy is a lot harder than he thought. With his parents away, it is up to Spencer, his crush-worthy friend, AmberLea, and her infuriatingly perfect friend Toby to find the missing Pianvian anthem, save a teeny-bopper pop star from a would-be assassin and rescue Bunny, all while trying not to get arrested or even killed. Spencer's story is one of seven linked tales, each following a different cousin on his quest to find the truth about their grandfather. Part 007 and part Mr. Bean, Spencer is the perfect combination of nerdy secret agent and bumbling, lovesick teen. Surprising twists, dangerous foes and a generous helping of mac 'n' cheese make for a suspenseful mystery with a hint of romance. This clever spy adventure features a likable hero and bursts with enough film references to satisfy all but the most hard-core movie buffs. (Mystery. 10-14)
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September 1, 2014
Gr 7 Up-This unusual series features seven books that are connected but can stand alone as individual adventures. Building upon a plot line first laid out in the "Seven" series (Orca, 2012), each entry follows one of David McLean's seven grandsons as he embarks on a dangerous mission in a far flung locale, as per instructions in Grandpa McLean's oddball will. In From the Dead, Rennie is tasked with finding out if their dear grandfather was a Nazi supporter and sympathizer. In Double You, Adam discovers that Grandpa hid a loaded pistol and sets out to prove that the old man was not a traitorous spy. Bunny is kidnapped in The Wolf and Me, and his captors are fixated on what he might know about his deceased granddad. Coda features Spencer, Bunny's brother, on a race to save his sibling. Steve's vacation is nearly ruined when Grandpa McLean's legacy implicates him in an international spy ring. This thrill-a-minute series will hook reluctant readers as well as fans of James Bond and Jason Bourne. (Ed. note: Read the full review of Tin Soldier [the first book in this series], p. 140.)
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