Rating: Not for me

Reading Level: Early Elementary

It’s hard to put my finger on why I didn’t especially love this story. It was a bit blah, with what felt like a lot of cheap gimmicky stuff to try to make it suspenseful. (Even my easy-to-please 3rd grader wasn’t excited about it). Possible concerns:

  • Lying to parents and sneaking out to go be a spy. At the end of the book, after receiving punishment, they plan to do it again! This is why it is not for me.
  • Respect for parents. The mother is posited as somewhat of an enemy who needs to be evaded rather than a caring mother who should be respected. (Maybe they hit a sore spot here for me? ha!). They sometimes call her a great white shark when she gets angry.
  • Body/Potty humor. There is a suit made of sardine pooh, and some other body references.
  • Name calling. Barf beak, etc.
  • Looking down on the retail profession. A villain yells, “After my lawyers have finished with you, you’ll be working in a gift shop!”

I much prefer other books.