Spy School the Graphic Novel is based from the Stuart Gibbs series of the same name. This is a modern take on the super spy but with all the classic elements. James Bond might have been smoother, but never as funny. Not having read the novels, I am not sure how they compare, but either graphic novel would be good for ages 10 and up.
We follow a kid who is recruited for a special CIA run spy-creating school. Only he thinks it is a special school for science nerds. On his first day (night really, he hasn’t even started yet) he is attacked by “the enemy.” And this is not the last time this will happen. And sometimes they really are “the enemy” and not just fellow students who think Ben Ripley is actually a really super smart guy who really knows what he is doing and not just really lucky and CIA bait to flush out the real bad guys.”
If you’re confused, imagine on Ben feels.
As the weeks flow by, Ben is emerged in mystery, mayhem, bullies and accidently relieves himself on a felling student who is camouflaged as a bush. He makes a few friends, a few bullies want to beat him up (then want to be his friend), people who are not what they seem and makes his best friend more than a little miffed at him (especially when he is captured by the CIA and interrogated).
And the illustrations by Anjan Sarkar are typical graphic novel comic. They are not overly detailed but have the information to move the story along. Pay attention as there are clues to the story there as well as the text. This book had Nickelodeon cartoon vibes (Kim Possible) and I could see a non-Disney adaptation to (TV) screen. Colorful, but not over the top and comfortable and familiar illustrations filled the book.
This is a funny, off beat, stereotypical “boy wanting to be Bond” but really is a “Fleming,” (the wanna-bes and not “real” spy material) yet, even a Fleming like Ben knows that even a Fleming can be a hero if he has the right tools and ninjas don’t assassinate him.
