Evil Spy School
(Libby/OverDrive eAudiobook)

Young CIA agent-in-training Benjamin Ripley switches sides--or is he just going undercover?--in this graphic version of the third Spy School caper. Sticking to the plot of the 2015 original, this episode sees the talented math whiz recruited by nefarious organization SPYDER after being (unjustly, he fumes) kicked out of the CIA's academy. While training in a hidden school for evildoers with other prospective villains, including Ashley Sparks, a gushy former competitive gymnast with a fondness for portmanteau words (sweet + awesome = swawesome), Ben gets wind of a dastardly scheme to make billions on government construction projects. Hot if inept pursuit by both rival espionage agencies takes Ben from a secret underground command center to the top of the Statue of Liberty. But while the action has a rapid flow in the art (Sarkar is good at portraying fights, high-speed chases, and explosions), several characters are drawn with generic features and such a limited range of expressions that even with help from the cast gallery, it's hard to tell them apart easily. Still, along with coming through in the suspenseful climax--thanks to clever deductions and quick thinking--by the end, Ben has also achieved a long-sought breakthrough with Erica Hale (code name "Ice Queen"), a superbly omnicompetent schoolmate who has his heart as well as his back. The cast largely presents white. Will satisfy fans but could be better. (Graphic thriller. 8-12) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Gr 4–7—In this graphic novel adaptation of the popular prose books, Ben Ripley is recruited into the CIA's Academy of Espionage due to his enthusiastic gaming abilities and his exceptional math skills. As Ben tries to adapt to life at his new top-secret school, he unwittingly becomes the target of a deadly assassin. Someone is mistakenly after Ben because of false data placed in his file, but how were they able to access classified information on the school mainframe? Several members of the school administration and Ben's new classmates offer him protection, but it's difficult to trust a group of spies who are mastering the art of deception. Gibbs's first book in the series seamlessly translates into a comic format, which allows the action to take center stage. Readers will be enthralled by the rapid sequencing as Sarkar stylishly presents the narrative, deftly balancing text and visuals. Although this new version is full of visual energy, it's not without the twists and turns of the original text. Gibbs's unique brand of humor comes through, as there are ample laughs throughout the book. Ben is white; several of his classmates are people of color. VERDICT With a fast-paced plot and striking illustrations, the graphic novel version of this story will be a definite hit among established fans as well as newcomers to the series.—Claire Moore