"This operation is hot! We are a go!"
That's the phrase that launches each mission in this bestselling series about an elite team of underage secret agents that MI6 sends on assignments where adults would be conspicuous. For codenames, the operatives use their hometowns, which is how they come to be known as the City Spies.
Led by an unorthodox agent called Mother, the City Spies travel the globe and come together to form not just a team, but a family.
Packed with action, heart, and humor, each book in the series has been an instant New York Times bestseller, as well as a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection.
City Spies is translated into 13 languages and has been named to 28 state award lists, winning 7. It's currently being developed as a film series by Amazon-MGM Studios
City Spies has been featured on Good Morning America, the Today Show, and The Jennifer Hudson Show.
"A grin-inducing delight."
-People.com, on City Spies
"A page-turner suited to even the most reluctant readers."
- Publisher's Weekly, on City Spies
"A smashing success."
- Kirkus Reviews, on Forbidden City
EXTRAS
Sara Martinez is a hacker facing years in juvenile detention, until she meets Mother, a spy who gets her out of jail and into MI6, British Secret Intelligence.
Operating out of a castle in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from around the world who've fallen through the cracks only to form a family like no other. When they’re not at the local boarding school, they’re mastering spy skills like sleight of hand, breaking and entering, covert observation, and explosives. So they can go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t.
Before she knows what she’s doing, Sara's off to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team.
No one said saving the world was easy…
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2020)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781534414921
After thwarting a notorious villain at an eco-summit in Paris, the City Spies are gearing up for their next mission. Fourteen-year-old Sydney is a surfer and a rebel from Bondi Beach, Australia. She’s also a field ops specialist for the City Spies. Sydney is excited to learn that she’ll be going undercover on the marine research vessel the Sylvia Earle. But things don’t go exactly as planned, and while Sydney does find herself in the spotlight, it’s not in the way she was hoping.
Meanwhile, there’s been some new intel regarding a potential mole within the MI6, offering the spies a lead that takes them to San Francisco. But as they investigate a spy who died at Muir Woods, they discover that they are also being investigated. And soon, they’re caught up in an exciting adventure filled with rogue missions and double agents!
This operation is hot! The City Spies are a go!
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2021)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781534414952
After taking down a mole within their organization, the City Spies are ready for their next mission—once again using their unique skills and ability to infiltrate places adults can’t. The sinister Umbra has their sights set on recruiting a North Korean nuclear physicist by any means necessary. The City Spies plan to keep an eye on his son by sending Paris to the chess prodigy’s tournaments in Moscow and Beijing.
Meanwhile, Sydney’s embedded as a junior reporter for a teen lifestyle site as she follows the daughter of a British billionaire. They go on tour with the biggest act on her father’s music label and uncover what links both the band and the billionaire have to a recent threat from an old Soviet missile base.
From a daring break-in at one of London’s most exclusive homes to a dangerous undercover mission to a desperate search and rescue operation on the streets of Beijing, the City Spies have their work cut out for them on their most dangerous mission yet.
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2022)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781534479227
Codename Kathmandu, better known as Kat, loves logic and order, has a favorite eight-digit number, and can spot a pattern from a mile away. So when a series of cyberattacks hits key locations in London while the spies are testing security for the British Museum, it’s clear that Kat’s skill for finding reason in what seems like randomness makes her the perfect candidate to lead the job.
And while the team follows the deciphered messages to Egypt and the ancient City of the Dead to discover who is behind the attacks and why, Kat soon realizes that there’s another layer to the mystery.
With more players, more clues, and involving higher levels of British Intelligence than ever before, this mission is one of the most complex that the group has faced to date. And it’s also going to bring about a change to the City Spies.
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2023)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781665911580
The City Spies visit Venice, Washington, and New York City as they try to protect a young climate activist, who is scheduled to speak in front of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly.
With Rio acting as alpha and a new member in their ranks, the team’s mission to protect a fellow teen involves daring rescues and escapes and the intricacies of international law.
It's non-stop adventure from the Grand Canal to the US Capitol and the stacks buried deep beneath the main branch of the New York Public Library.
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2024)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781665932486
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome.
Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place at Westminster Abbey, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6.
With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2025)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781665932516
The City Spies are ready to start fresh with a new home, new schools, and a new directive now that Clementine has come in from the cold and Le Fantôme has been put behind bars.
But their plans are put into jeopardy when Umbra threatens to attack multiple high-level targets across Europe unless he is released from prison. With intel leading them to Rome, Paris, London, and Amsterdam, the City Spies split up and race across the continent solving codes and chasing clues in an effort to thwart the attacks.
With so many moving parts, the City Spies are going to have pull out all the stops if they have any chance to succeed at this latest mission.
Simon & Schuster/Aladdin (2026)
Grades: 3 - 7/Ages: 8 - 12
ISBN13: 9781665959988
Extras
Book Trailer
I like to make book trailers for each of my books with my friend Patrick Devlin, who I worked with in television for nearly fifteen years.
Classroom Digital Dossier Activities - Click to Download
Everything you need to bring City Spies into your classroom or library in one easy-to-access location! Includes discussion guides, activities, videos, and PowerPoints.
Curriculum Guides
First Chapter Read Alouds
Ultimate Spy Panel
My good friend Stuart Gibbs (author of the Spy School books) and I had a great discussion with two retired CIA spies! We talked about the difference between espionage on the page and in real life.