Spy School the Graphic Novel

Title:  Spy School the Graphic Novel

Author:  Stuart Gibbs

Illustrator:  Anjan Sarkar

Publisher:  Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date Published:  February 15, 2022

Genre:  Middle Grade, Graphic Novel, Mystery

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

-    Ben Ripley loves James Bond, and he wants to become a spy just like him. Ben is really good at a video game that was produced by the CIA, and they have been monitoring Ben's skills. One day, Ben gets a surprise visit from an agent and recruited to spy school. Sadly, it isn't as fun as Ben thought it would be, and there is a mole amongst the students. Dun Dun Dun! 

-    This series has been on my radar for a while, but I haven't read any of the books, so when I received a copy of the graphic novel in the mail, I was elated. I wanted to read and review the book before it was released, but you know. . .too many books to read. 

-    I really enjoyed the story. Who hasn't wanted or pretended to be spy? I liked that there was a little bit of mystery, but also a lot of a middle schooler trying to fit in and figure out his strengths. 

-    The book is full of delightful humor. Gibbs is amazing when it comes to humor. 

-    The illustrations are fantastic. I loved all the facial expressions and action.

-    When Gnome and I are finished with the Whatever After series, I think we are going to start the spy school series.

My Thoughts in a GIF:

Once Upon a Tim

Title:  Once Upon a Tim

Author:  Stuart Gibbs

Illustrator:  Stacy Curtis

Publisher:  Simon Schuster Books for Young Readers

Date Published:  March 1, 2022

Genre:  Middle Grade, Fantasy, Humor

Rating:  ⭐⭐⭐⭐

My Thoughts:

-    I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

-    Tim is a peasant, but he doesn't want to be a peasant, and his only other option is to become a knight. His best friend, Belinda, isn't happy with her position in life either, so they both decide to go to the knight tryouts for Prince Ruprecht. He is going on a quest to save a princess from a horrible monster, and he needs knights to accompany him.

-    Tim is the narrator of the story, and he breaks the 4th wall all the time. It is hilarious. He also refers to modern things throughout the story. It is like he knows he is in a book, but he also understands the world outside and likes to refer to it, so he can relate to the reader.

-    Tim likes to educate the readers by giving them "IQ Boosters." These are large words that Tim will define for the reader. He even uses them in sentences, and he is quite clever with his examples. 

-    The book is so much fun, and it is a riot. I read this out loud to Gnome, and we stopped and laughed every time we sat down to read together. Gnome will still quote little pieces of the book to me, and we have a good laugh.

My Thoughts in a GIF: