For children who imagine their parents have secret lives, this thrilling junior novel takes them on an action-packed adventure where sibling teamwork saves the day.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is fascinated by the idea of secret identities and craves an adventure where kids, not adults, are the heroes. Based on the hit movie, the story follows siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez who discover their supposedly boring parents are actually world-class spies. When their parents are kidnapped by a wacky villain, the kids must use high-tech gadgets and learn to work together to rescue them. This fast-paced novel is perfect for ages 7-10, especially for reluctant readers who enjoy action and humor. It’s a thrilling ride that reinforces themes of family loyalty, sibling teamwork, and discovering your own courage.
Villain's henchmen are bizarre, distorted figures that may be unsettling to some.
Sensitive Topics
The core sensitive issue is parental peril. The parents are captured and their lives are threatened, which is the main motivation for the children's actions. The approach is entirely within an action-adventure framework, focusing on the thrill of the rescue rather than the trauma of potential loss. The resolution is definitively hopeful, with the entire family reunited and stronger than ever.
Ideal Reader
This book is perfect for a 7 to 9-year-old who loves action movies, video games, and high-tech gadgets. It's an excellent choice for a reluctant reader, as the plot is fast-paced and directly tied to a familiar film. It will strongly appeal to a child who engages in imaginative play about having a secret, more exciting life, and to siblings who could benefit from a story modeling cooperation over conflict.
Parent Prep
The book can be read cold, especially if the child is unfamiliar with the movie. Parents should know the villain's henchmen (Thumb-Thumbs) and other creations are quirky and strange-looking, which could be mildly unsettling for a very sensitive child, but the tone is consistently humorous and not genuinely frightening. The level of peril is akin to a classic cartoon. A parent has a child who says "I'm bored" or complains their family is boring. The parent might also be looking for a high-interest, low-difficulty chapter book to engage a child who is resistant to reading. Another trigger is witnessing constant sibling squabbles and wanting a fun story that shows the power of teamwork.
Age Experience
A younger reader (age 7) will be captivated by the wish-fulfillment: the cool gadgets, the rocket ship, and the idea of kids being the heroes. An older reader (age 10) will better appreciate the character dynamics, such as the shift in Carmen and Juni's relationship from antagonistic to supportive. They will also grasp the humor and the theme of embracing one's family legacy.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many kid-spy novels that position the child as a lone genius, this story is fundamentally about a family unit. The children's success stems directly from the skills, technology, and legacy passed down from their parents. The unique, colorful, and slightly bizarre visual imagination of the source material gives the book a distinct flavor compared to more generic spy adventures.
Read plot summary
Siblings Carmen and Juni Cortez are shocked to learn their parents, Gregorio and Ingrid, are retired spies who have been captured during a new mission. The villain, Fegan Floop, is capturing agents and using a TV show to brainwash children. Guided by their estranged Uncle Felix, the kids must enter the family business, navigating a safe house full of incredible gadgets and overcoming their own bickering. They must infiltrate Floop's castle, confront his army of robot children and bizarre Thumb-Thumb henchmen, and ultimately rescue their parents and stop Floop's plan.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Carmen and Juni didn't get along at the beginning of the book. How did their mission change their relationship? What was a moment where they really had to trust each other?
2
The villain, Fegan Floop, wasn't trying to be evil at first; he just wanted to make a popular TV show. Do you think he was a bad guy, or just misguided? Why?
3
If you discovered a secret spy headquarters in your house, what is the first gadget you would want to try? What would you use it for?
4
The motto of the OSS is 'Spying is easy. Family is hard.' What do you think that means? Do you think it was true for the Cortez family?
