Spy Books for Kids
My boys have gotten into spying just recently, while Jackie’s boys have been reading spy books for years. We’ve rounded up our favorite spy books for kids and a few spy games to help continue the fun.
What is it about spies that captivate the imagination of children? Maybe it’s a rite-of-passage. My kids went through the pirate phase, the Egyptian phase, and now we are in the spy phase.
And while these books are technically kids’ books, Jackie and I both love these middle-grade spy books.
The Best Spy Books for Kids
Each colorful block below represents the best book in a subgenre. Click on the arrow to reveal my “best” pick in any category. You’ll also be able to use a page jump to see more books in that section.
The Best Spy Book for Younger Kids
Mac Undercover by Mac Barnett- Jump to Section
The Best Middle Grade Spy Book
Max in the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz- Jump to Section
*Post contains affiliate links. Purchases made through links result in a small commission to us at no cost to you. Some books have been gifted. All opinions are our own.
Spy Books for Younger Kids
Mac Undercover
Author: Mac Barnett
Illustrator: Mike Lowery
Year: 2018
Genre: Early Reader Mystery
Age: 7 – 10
More info: Mac B. Kid Spy #1
Plot
Mac B Kid Spy is an adorable series about a kid spy who works for the Queen of England! It’s a great series of books for an 8-year-old looking to step up their reading game. It’s almost a mix between a first-chapter book and a graphic novel.
Why Kirsten loves it
My reluctant reader ate this book up! We have a few books in the series and they are quite fun.
Find this book in: Best Books for 8-year-olds / Spy Books for Kids
Spy Guy: The Not-so-Secret Agent
Author: Jessica Young
Illustrator: Charles Santoso
Year: 2016
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 4 – 7
Plot
This funny picture book is all about a young kid who is a spy. Except he’s not a very good spy! He’s not sneaky; he’s very clumsy and he has a lot to learn.
Why Jackie loves it
This story is perfect for future Harriet the Spy fans. It’s funny, silly and the illustrations are so cute.
Find this book in: Best Books for 6-year-olds / Spy Books for Kids
Olivia The Spy
Author: Ian Falconer
Illustrator: Ian Falconer
Year: 2017
Genre: Picture Book
Age: 2 – 6
More info: Part of the Olivia series
Plot
Olivia the pig is back and being as silly as ever. It’s almost her birthday, and she can’t stop eavesdropping and trying to figure out what presents she is getting! But soon she thinks something else is afoot.
Why Kirsten loves it
My kids were giggling when Olivia started thinking she was being sent to military school! What a silly pig.
Find this book in: Best Books for 6-year-olds / Spy Books for Kids
Middle Grade Spy Books
Plot
Max, a 11-year old Jewish boy from Berlin, is sent away from his parents to England. Now he will do whatever it takes to get back. He is accompanied by two immortal creatures in the shape of little men that only he can see – a kobold and a dybbuk.
After being brought to Lord Montagu to be fostered, he decides that he will do whatever it takes to protect his family and make it back to them. Thus, he begs Lord Montagu to send him back to Germany as a spy.
Trigger Warnings
Antisemitism, War
Why Jackie loves it
This is one of my favorite books, and the author too is amazing. It was hard to put it down and I’m very excited for the sequel.
Find this book in: Fantasy Books for Tweens / World War II Books for Kids / Best Books for 10-year-olds/ Spy Books for Kids
The Candymakers
Author: Wendy Maas
Year: 2010
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 12
More info: The Candymakers #1
Plot
I decided to read this book with my boys prior to our visit to Candytopia. It was a lovely take on life at a candy factory and felt almost like an updated version of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. 4 kids are competing to win a candy-making contest to have their creation mass-produced.
Why Kirsten loves it
The candy reminded me of Wonka’s Factory, but the whimsy and fun of the book reminded me a bit of Mr. Lemoncello’s Library. There are puzzles and secrets to unfold and descriptions of delectable delights. In short, it’s a fun read-aloud story that will leave you craving the next book in the series and a closet full of chocolate.
Find this book in: Books for Tweens / Best Books for 10-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / Family Audiobooks / Best Middle Grade Fiction
Harriet The Spy
Author: Louise Fitzhugh
Year: 1964
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 8 – 11
More info: Harriet the Spy #1
Plot
Harriet the Spy has been a classic children’s book for over 50 years. The 11-year-old is never without a notebook in which to write her observations. When the notebook falls into the hands of her friends, they all get very angry with Harriet. Will she be able to right her wrongs?
Why Jackie loves it
There is a reason this realistic fiction book for a 10-year-old has been adapted repeatedly for the screen. It’s got life lessons for every child.
Find this book in: Best Mystery Books for Tweens / Best Books for 9-year-olds / Realistic Fiction / Classic Books for Kids / Spy Books for Kids
Spy School
Author: Stuart Gibbs
Year: 2013
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Spy School #1
Plot
The first book in Gibbs’s series is about Ben Ripley, a child CIA agent trying to defeat the evil organization Spyder. As he attends the secret junior CIA boarding school, he gets into loads of situations that put his espionage skills to good use.
Why Jackie loves it
In each book of the series, Ben and his fellow agents tackle a new problem. They take place at various new locations as the series progresses. It’s already 13 books deep and every pick from the series is a fun choice for a mystery-loving tween.
Find this book in: Best Books for 9-year-olds / Mystery Books for Tweens / School Books
Code Girls: The Untold Story of the American Women Code Breakers of World War II
Author: Liza Mundy
Year: 2018
Genre: Young Adult Nonfiction
Age: 9 – 13
Plot
This fascinating book tells the story of the code girls, the women who worked to decode messages during WWII. They worked incredibly hard to save the men on the frontlines, yet their work has been largely overlooked. Mundy shines a light on their story, which was almost lost completely.
Why Kirsten loves it
It was a truly fascinating read! I loved finding out about the trials and tribulations of the real-life heroes of the war. I love the kids version of the same WWII non-fiction book too.
Find this book in: WWII Books for Kids / Best Books for 13-year-olds
Greenglass House
Author: Kate Milford
Year: 2016
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Greenglass House #1
Plot
The Greenglass House is an inn for smugglers and the winter season means it’s supposed to be quiet for Milo, the owner’s child. But instead, guest after guest checks in for the holidays, and items go missing around the inn. Soon, Milo and the chef’s daughter, Meddy, are off searching for the guests’ connection to the inn, uncovering secret after secret along the way.
Why Kirsten loves it
This mystery reminded me of Harry Potter in some ways. A child is trying to uncover the secrets of Greenglass House, a hotel for smugglers and spies before the adults do. I chose this as a family read-aloud and it was wonderful.
Find this book in: Best Winter Books / Terrific Hotel Novels / Best Mystery Books for Tweens / Best Family Audiobooks / Books With Colors in the Title / Christmas Chapter Books / Best Books for 11-year-olds
The Mysterious Benedict Society
Author: Trenton Lee Stewart
Year: 2007
Genre: Middle Grade Mystery
Age: 9 – 12
More info: Mysterious Benedict Society #1
Plot
This delightful story is about a group of extremely gifted children who are sent to spy on an evil organization. Together, these genius kids use logic and quick thinking to accomplish their secret mission without being caught! The children in the Mysterious Benedict Society must infiltrate the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened to uncover a plot to control the minds of citizens around the world.
Why Kirsten loves it
I read this story to my boys at bedtime and it was the perfect read-aloud. We all enjoyed the complexity of the story and the silly scenarios. Years later, we watched the Disney TV adaptation as well!
Why Jackie loves it
This is the first middle-grade book in a series that is geared toward older kids. It was funny and interesting and extremely clever.
Find this book in: Middle Grade Mystery Books / Puzzle Books for Middle School/ Books like KOTLC / Secret Society Books / Best Gifts for 10-year-olds / Best Books for a 10-year-old / Books With Neurodivergent Characters
Harry Potter and the Art of Spying
Author: Lynn Boughey and Peter Earnest
Year: 2017
Genre: Nonfiction
Age: 8+
Plot
Did you realize how much spying was featured in the Harry Potter book series? Hagrid, Snape, Wormtail, The entire Order of the Phoenix…. all of them are spies! This book uses examples from HP to teach real-life spy techniques.
Why Kirsten loves it
My family and I came across this at the Spy Museum in Washington D.C. Being the Harry Potter-obsessed family we are, we had to bring it home. It’s filled with interactive activities for kids to complete as they read!
Find this book in: Best Books for 12-year-olds / Books About Harry Potter
Spy Games and Activities
If your child is anything like mine, they will want to play spies immediately after finishing one of these books. Indulge their creativity with some of these amazing games.
Expert Tip
- Spy books for kids are written for various age levels and reading levels.
- Have a look at the descriptions to help choose a book to read.
- This list of spy books for kids has picks that kids can read independently or picks that you can read together
Frequently Asked Questions
Are all spy books for kids mystery books?
No. While a lot of spy books for kids are mysteries, not all are! The Mysterious Benedict Society is a mystery and a spy book, but Code Girls is a nonfiction book about spies!
What are the best spy books for kids?
There are so many fantastic spy books for kids. Three of our favorites are:
1. Max and the House of Spies by Adam Gidwitz
2. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
3. The Greenglass House by Kate Milford
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What are your favorite spy books for kids?
