SPY HIGH: MISSION ONE -- A.J. Butcher

Little, Brown and Company -- tpb
New York -- ©2003 -- 214pp
ISBN: 0-316-15587-x

Six high-school-aged students are recruited by a top secret "spy school" to form "Bond Team." Their first "assignment" is learn to work as a team -- an assignment that proves harder to manage than it first appears.

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I bought this book a few years ago, wondering if it would be appropriate for my children who are going through a "spy" stage in their play and reading. Sadly, the answer is, "no."

The writing itself is very typical YA fare -- nothing outstanding, nothing too deep or difficult, but it doesn't talk "down" to an average reader either.

However, the book suffers from a lack of focus for its intended audience. The relationships, the blood and gore, death, age of the main characters, etc., speak to a high school readership. But the hackneyed plotting, use of stock "bad guy" characters speak to a younger audience that aren't as familiar with the over-use of these characters.

Not recommended for any aged reader.