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Health & Fitness

Engaging Book Series for Kids

This week I am looking at engaging series for kids.  These may not be on your radar, but they are clever, suspenseful and at times, quite funny.  In the case of Spy Camp, this is the second book in the series.  For the others I am profiling this week, Bad Unicorn is the beginning of a new adventure and Atherton is complete, so your children can get some satisfaction!

Studies continue to show that kids who read for pleasure do better in all subjects, even math.  So get your kids hooked on a great book.  As their reading prowess grows, so will their comprehension in all subjects, across the board!  I hope this weeks books tickle their funny bone, and get them invested in some wonderful characters.

To see my all recommendations, visit my website at www.onegreatbook.com

Title:       Spy Camp

Author:   Stuart Gibbs

Target:    Grade 4-8

Series:     Yes

What this book is about:
This is a companion book to Gibbs' first book, Spy School.  In this installment, Ben Ripley has completed his first year at spy school and is off to summer camp for more training.  Ben remains sure he doesn’t belong at this select institution, but he continues to show how his basic smarts help the team at every turn.  He is being hunted by the villain organization SPYDER because they want to recruit him, and if he doesn’t join, the alternative is ... well death.  His guardian angel, a fellow student Erica, remains the super spy, figuring out all the things the adults should have.  Her father, the decorated but incompetent CIA operative, continues to bumble his way through saving Ben, while almost getting Ben killed at every turn!

Why I love this book:
This story is just so fun!  I loved the second installment just as much as the first.  Erica’s father is this wonderful parody of James Bond and Ben is so refreshing by showing that common sense rules the day.  

I think that books were the kids are more competent than the adults are empowering for kids.  Kids always know things would be better if they ran the operation, and this book just proves it.  This story has heart and humor (with a lot of action thrown in) which turns out to be a winning combination.

Who this book is for:
I think most kids will enjoy this story.  There is a lot of action, plenty of laughs and a nice cast of supporting characters.  While you don’t need to have read the first book, I think kids will enjoy the second installment more if they have read Spy School.

Final thoughts:
I just love it when the second book doesn’t disappoint.  Stuart Gibbs delivers again.  And I still think the covers on his books are absolutely terrific!

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