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Spy School #2
Spy Camp
In the second book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, top-secret training continues into summer for aspiring spy Ben Ripley—and so does the danger.
Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average—he’s spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer’s finally here, Ben would like to have some fun and relax. But that’s not going to happen during required spy survival training at a rustic wilderness camp, where SPYDER, an enemy spy organization, has infiltrated the spies’ ranks. Can Ben root out the enemy before it takes him out—for good?
Ben Ripley is a middle schooler whose school is not exactly average—he’s spent the last year training to be a top-level spy and dodging all sorts of associated danger. So now that summer’s finally here, Ben would like to have some fun and relax. But that’s not going to happen during required spy survival training at a rustic wilderness camp, where SPYDER, an enemy spy organization, has infiltrated the spies’ ranks. Can Ben root out the enemy before it takes him out—for good?
7 pages, Audiobook
First published April 2, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 867 reviews
July 17, 2021
I LOVED IT. It was hilarious, fun, action packed. Much much better than the first book.
September 13, 2018
'Spy Camp' by Stuart Gibbs is the sequel to the New York Times Bestseller; 'Spy School.' The protagonist, Ben Ripley, is yet again in danger from the secret organization known as SPYDER. The book's plot is very reminiscent to me of 'Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.' Although 'Spy Camp' isn't fantasy or is the 7th book in the series, it reminds me of how Harry has to leave his home and adapt to new environments. Overall, I recommend the book to those who enjoyed the first one.
July 24, 2013
The Nitty Gritty: Ben "Smokescreen" Ripley has survived his first year at Spy School. a super secret facility tasked with educating America's future CIA operatives.
Smokescreen has planned a summer to end all summers. Basically he just wants to hang out with his best friend, play video games and dream about Erica Hale till his little heart bursts.
Too bad SPYDER is still trying to recruit Ben and he has to go to spy camp. The thought of spy camp doesn't not bode well for Ben, but he would rather be surrounded by woods, mosquitos and he fellow spies when SPYDER comes a knocking. At least he knows Erica will be there to thwart their plans again, and maybe this time he can be rewarded with a rare Hale smile from the spy.
Opening Line: "On the very last day os soy school, my plans for a normal, uneventful summer were completely derailed by the delivery of two letters."
The Good: I love Ben. Its awesome being inside his head. To me he is the only "real" spy in this tale. Meaning he isn't very good at it. Which you would expect from a 13 year old! If this were a fantasy or even a sci-fi book I could maybe believe that 16 year olds could dismantle nukes in under 30 seconds, but this is just a middle grades book and its hard for me to swallow sometimes. Maybe if these kids were Eureka experiments or something I could take it, but they aren't. Ben is just a regular kid that is scared of his own shadow half of the time. I like that.
Ben's growth from one book to the next tis great. We might have expected him to give 007 a run for his money in Spy Camp, but instead he has improved a little bit. He's not ready for the CIA yet, but he is better than he was when we last saw him. His character development is great and believable.
I do like that we see a kink in Erica's armor. Even if its so predictable my mom could have seen it coming. Its good to see her ruffled. It shows her age just a tad. That's a good thing.
The Bad: My suspension of belief is getting quite the workout with this series. Not only are we to believe that a group of kids make better spies than actual CIA agents, but we are also to believe that said kids are capable of repeatedly thwarting this evil organization again and again. something the actual CIA has failed to do for decades.
I am glad that one of the principles in this story is a girl. A girl no doubt that is hailed as the best spy at school. I just wish that she wasn't the typical warrior girl archetype. Erica Hale is a great spy, but that's all she really is. She doesn't have any friends, nor any functioning relationships. The men in her life are either paranoid to the point of keeping their distance, a evil double agent content on torturing her or a bumbling oaf that couldn't spy on his sleeping grandmother. Right now Erica seems flat. She isn't growing or learning a valuable lesson and this is the second book. There needs to be somewhere for her to go.
My Hope for the Series: Gibbs has grabbed my attention. I care what happens to Ben, but my feelings can go cold very quickly. I want him to get to the point in the next installment before my attention wanders.
Smokescreen has planned a summer to end all summers. Basically he just wants to hang out with his best friend, play video games and dream about Erica Hale till his little heart bursts.
Too bad SPYDER is still trying to recruit Ben and he has to go to spy camp. The thought of spy camp doesn't not bode well for Ben, but he would rather be surrounded by woods, mosquitos and he fellow spies when SPYDER comes a knocking. At least he knows Erica will be there to thwart their plans again, and maybe this time he can be rewarded with a rare Hale smile from the spy.
Opening Line: "On the very last day os soy school, my plans for a normal, uneventful summer were completely derailed by the delivery of two letters."
The Good: I love Ben. Its awesome being inside his head. To me he is the only "real" spy in this tale. Meaning he isn't very good at it. Which you would expect from a 13 year old! If this were a fantasy or even a sci-fi book I could maybe believe that 16 year olds could dismantle nukes in under 30 seconds, but this is just a middle grades book and its hard for me to swallow sometimes. Maybe if these kids were Eureka experiments or something I could take it, but they aren't. Ben is just a regular kid that is scared of his own shadow half of the time. I like that.
Ben's growth from one book to the next tis great. We might have expected him to give 007 a run for his money in Spy Camp, but instead he has improved a little bit. He's not ready for the CIA yet, but he is better than he was when we last saw him. His character development is great and believable.
I do like that we see a kink in Erica's armor. Even if its so predictable my mom could have seen it coming. Its good to see her ruffled. It shows her age just a tad. That's a good thing.
The Bad: My suspension of belief is getting quite the workout with this series. Not only are we to believe that a group of kids make better spies than actual CIA agents, but we are also to believe that said kids are capable of repeatedly thwarting this evil organization again and again. something the actual CIA has failed to do for decades.
I am glad that one of the principles in this story is a girl. A girl no doubt that is hailed as the best spy at school. I just wish that she wasn't the typical warrior girl archetype. Erica Hale is a great spy, but that's all she really is. She doesn't have any friends, nor any functioning relationships. The men in her life are either paranoid to the point of keeping their distance, a evil double agent content on torturing her or a bumbling oaf that couldn't spy on his sleeping grandmother. Right now Erica seems flat. She isn't growing or learning a valuable lesson and this is the second book. There needs to be somewhere for her to go.
My Hope for the Series: Gibbs has grabbed my attention. I care what happens to Ben, but my feelings can go cold very quickly. I want him to get to the point in the next installment before my attention wanders.
August 18, 2022
سلام!
امروز اومدم با یه ریویو از اس اس 2:) البته باید بگم اس سی؛
معرفی کوتاه کتاب:
الان که تابستون رسیده، بن فکر میکنه تعطیلات شده و اون میتونه بره خونه تا یکم از مدرسهی جاسوسی دور باشه و استراحت کنه. ولی کاملا اشتباه فکر میکرد، چون که مدیر احمق مدرسه بهش گفت که تابستون ها هم بچه ها رو میبرن به یه جنگل تا مردی به اسم موشخرما بهشون راز بقا تو حیات وحش رو یاد بده. شبیه یه اردو، با اینکه مدیر تاکید داره اصلا هم اردو نیست:| از دست این مدیر
خلاصه بن سلانه سلانه با بقیهی بچه ها میره، و میبینه که فضا و امکانات خوبی داره و فکر میکنه که قراره خوش بگذره. ولی بعد همون چند دقیقهای که تازه رسیده اونجا، متوجه میشه که کاملا برعکس اینه، چون که یه نامه از اسپایدر همونجا منتظرش بود...
نظر من درمورد کتاب (حاوی اسپویل):
با اینکه به کتاب 5 ستاره دادم (البته همهی جلدای اس اس لایق 5 ستارهان) بنظرم یکم کمتر -مثلا 4ونیم- بهتر بود واسش. چون اون وسطا خیلی اتفاقات غیرمهمی رخ داد و بیچاره ها به طور غیرمنطقیای فقط داشتن فرار میکردن. ولی بهرحال خیلی ازش خوشم اومد (مطمئنم از منطق من سردرنمیارید)
ولی این جلد به این دلیل یکی از جلدای موردعلاقهام از اس اس شد که الکساندر به سزای عملش رسید، خیلی خوشحالم:) (بنده با الکساندر مشکل شخصی دارم) و اونجاهایی که اریکا بیهوش و طناب پیچش کرد واقعااااااا حال کردم^_^ هی، اینجا کسی نداریم که فن الکساندر باشه؟ چون مطمئنم دیوونهش کردم:)
تازه درمورد اصل کاری جلد 2 حرف نزدهاام... (الان اونو یادم افتاد:|) شخصیتی که تو اس اس 2 زنده شد... کثافت محترم جاشوااااا:) اونجوری که ظاهر شد خیلی باحال بود، ولی یکم غیرمنطقی. یعنی اونقد حواسش سرجاش نبود که بن ممکنه با یه لگد موشک رو غیرفعال کنه؟:| ولی خدا رحمتش "نکنه" بچه رو، حقش بود بسوزه! یا نه؟ داداش من که یه فن بزرگ جاشواست (11سالشه) من اصلا نمیتونم درکش کنم.
خلاصه شخصینای مورد هیت من عبارتند از جاشوا، موری و الکساندر:) شما چی؟
زیادی حرف زدم نه؟ خب امیدوارم با من هم نظر بوده باشید، چون اگه نه، احتمالا فاجعه میشه:/
فعلا:)
امروز اومدم با یه ریویو از اس اس 2:) البته باید بگم اس سی؛
معرفی کوتاه کتاب:
الان که تابستون رسیده، بن فکر میکنه تعطیلات شده و اون میتونه بره خونه تا یکم از مدرسهی جاسوسی دور باشه و استراحت کنه. ولی کاملا اشتباه فکر میکرد، چون که مدیر احمق مدرسه بهش گفت که تابستون ها هم بچه ها رو میبرن به یه جنگل تا مردی به اسم موشخرما بهشون راز بقا تو حیات وحش رو یاد بده. شبیه یه اردو، با اینکه مدیر تاکید داره اصلا هم اردو نیست:| از دست این مدیر
خلاصه بن سلانه سلانه با بقیهی بچه ها میره، و میبینه که فضا و امکانات خوبی داره و فکر میکنه که قراره خوش بگذره. ولی بعد همون چند دقیقهای که تازه رسیده اونجا، متوجه میشه که کاملا برعکس اینه، چون که یه نامه از اسپایدر همونجا منتظرش بود...
نظر من درمورد کتاب (حاوی اسپویل):
با اینکه به کتاب 5 ستاره دادم (البته همهی جلدای اس اس لایق 5 ستارهان) بنظرم یکم کمتر -مثلا 4ونیم- بهتر بود واسش. چون اون وسطا خیلی اتفاقات غیرمهمی رخ داد و بیچاره ها به طور غیرمنطقیای فقط داشتن فرار میکردن. ولی بهرحال خیلی ازش خوشم اومد (مطمئنم از منطق من سردرنمیارید)
ولی این جلد به این دلیل یکی از جلدای موردعلاقهام از اس اس شد که الکساندر به سزای عملش رسید، خیلی خوشحالم:) (بنده با الکساندر مشکل شخصی دارم) و اونجاهایی که اریکا بیهوش و طناب پیچش کرد واقعااااااا حال کردم^_^ هی، اینجا کسی نداریم که فن الکساندر باشه؟ چون مطمئنم دیوونهش کردم:)
تازه درمورد اصل کاری جلد 2 حرف نزدهاام... (الان اونو یادم افتاد:|) شخصیتی که تو اس اس 2 زنده شد... کثافت محترم جاشوااااا:) اونجوری که ظاهر شد خیلی باحال بود، ولی یکم غیرمنطقی. یعنی اونقد حواسش سرجاش نبود که بن ممکنه با یه لگد موشک رو غیرفعال کنه؟:| ولی خدا رحمتش "نکنه" بچه رو، حقش بود بسوزه! یا نه؟ داداش من که یه فن بزرگ جاشواست (11سالشه) من اصلا نمیتونم درکش کنم.
خلاصه شخصینای مورد هیت من عبارتند از جاشوا، موری و الکساندر:) شما چی؟
زیادی حرف زدم نه؟ خب امیدوارم با من هم نظر بوده باشید، چون اگه نه، احتمالا فاجعه میشه:/
فعلا:)
January 16, 2021
The Spy School series is one of my favorite realistic fiction series. Ben Ripley grows throughout the series and you can see his progress, as at first he was recruited to spy school only as bait, and that he wasn't really going to be a spy, but he studies and tries hard, which results to him staying at The Academy of Espionage. Usually books emphasize on the protagonist's special talent, or them having a special ability, but Ben remains a spy-in-training because of his hard work, and probably his friends help. Ben is not what you would think a spy is, yes he has incredible math skills, but everything else about him isn't really outstanding, but we learn that he is very clever and intelligent. Instead of coming up with an elaborate plan for disabling a strong missile, he instead just breaks the power cord, which leads to the missile shutting down. This makes Erica and the readers laugh, it's such a simple, yet extremely effective way of solving a problem, definitely not what you think a spy-to-be would do. This is a captivating, funny, casual series.
December 26, 2021
This book was overall an enjoyable read. The start was a bit slow but once I got to about the halfway point, things started to pick up. There was definitely a plot twist towards the end that I wasn’t expecting and it was nice to see these characters develop. I look forward to reading the next step in their story.
May 21, 2024
I really loved this book and in my opinion it was better than the first book of the series… now I wanna know how the next books are 😊📕
August 1, 2024
even better than the first book! sooo good!
June 13, 2015
This is the second of three books Gibbs has written in his spy series featuring 13 year-old Benjamin Ripley. It's summer and Ben thought he would be hanging with his family and his best friend Mike, however the spy school and the super covert evil organization, SYPDER, had other plans. Ben suddenly finds himself the center of SYPDER's attention and where's a safe place to be when that happens? Why spy camp! Things quickly go south for Ben and spy student colleagues. He, Erica and superspy (not!) Alexander are thrown together and must deal and/or ignore some family dynamics and dysfunctions along the way.
Gibbs got everything right with book two. He had a good blend of characters and action that compliment a well planned plot. Again, he dissects the spy tropes we are all familiar with and playfully twists to work in a kid friendly environment that is cute, but not corny. It was definitely a fun read!
Gibbs got everything right with book two. He had a good blend of characters and action that compliment a well planned plot. Again, he dissects the spy tropes we are all familiar with and playfully twists to work in a kid friendly environment that is cute, but not corny. It was definitely a fun read!
January 3, 2023
This is the second book in this great series. Ben thinks he’s going home for the summer until he finds out he has to go to summer spy camp. Upon arrival he is contacted by Spider! The fun starts then…soon his friends are helping him!
This series is such an amazing, entertaining and interesting set of stories. The way the spies in training figure things out!
This series is such an amazing, entertaining and interesting set of stories. The way the spies in training figure things out!
July 7, 2024
4.5 stars
this story is a great example of a silly kids' story
stories can be silly without being dumb, and Gibbs appears to do this well
I took half a star away since the general plot seemed a bit looser, but other than that the action was fun, constant, and made sense
all in all an enjoyable lighthearted read and a fun continuation to the series
this story is a great example of a silly kids' story
stories can be silly without being dumb, and Gibbs appears to do this well
I took half a star away since the general plot seemed a bit looser, but other than that the action was fun, constant, and made sense
all in all an enjoyable lighthearted read and a fun continuation to the series
July 30, 2020
This is such a delightful series.
Loved the character development and the new characters in this book. Wish we had got to spend more time with woodchuck.
Loved the character development and the new characters in this book. Wish we had got to spend more time with woodchuck.
January 11, 2019
Great successor to the original "Spy School" book.
Overall: 8.7/10
Overall: 8.7/10
February 2, 2021
Not as good as the first installment, but the ending made it 3 stars.
April 18, 2023
This series has been really good so far and I’m excited to read more of the books in the series.
February 2, 2024
Why are these so much fun!!
Read
June 15, 2023And we finally meet Cyrus Hale
March 16, 2023
Making my way through this series with my kids.
March 26, 2014
This book was way more interesting than the previous book called Spy School. That's because it was a continuation to it , but this time it's not taking place at a school but at a camp. Some readers might say that's not that different because the only thing new is that it's taking place outside of school. As you know the last book ended with the main character Ben capturing the mole in spy school, Murray Hill, with the help of his friend/classmate Erica and then it ends. But, the new story picks up with Ben going to Spy Camp because everyone that attended spy school has to go. While he is there with all the other previous characters Ben finds a note from the school's enemy know as Spyder. The letter was mostly stating that they wanted him to join them because he has special abilities that they need from him.
January 17, 2015
Another 5 star YA novel from Stuart Gibbs! This story is a continuation of Spy School,so you should read that one first. If you have YA readers in your house or you are young of heart this series is a MUST READ!
September 28, 2014
Ben and Erica are the main characters, they must work as a team to defeat SPYDER. I didn't love this book because I could tell what would happen. This book is full of cheesy jokes and suspense so I recommend it to those kind of people.
May 15, 2017
I think that there was a clear theme in this book. That theme was, never think that you are safe. We see countless times as Ben is attacked by SPYDER by surprise. We see how they are attacked while they are on a bus. You just never know when they won't be attacked.
October 25, 2020
LOVE TH.IS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOVE ALL THE BOOKS IN THE SERIES
October 8, 2014
this book is great! Because there is a lot of fighting and lots of good detail.
October 16, 2018
It is time for Spy Camp! Is Ben ready for it?
I have had this book in my possession for some time, but just didn't feel in the mood for reading it, not even while I was camping myself. Then again, given the book and how little of it is about the spy camp, I guess it is good I didn't read it during my camping time. :P
Yep, as you can see from that previous paragraph, this book is called Spy Camp, but actually just a small part of it is about the camp. Which I found highly disappointing. Why call it Spy Camp then? I had expected that this entire book was about him and his friends going camping, seeing what kind of courses and stuff they would have and what they would learn. Instead Ben is quickly whisked away as soon as things get hectic/as soon as SPYDER pops up. After that it is just all survival, him, Erica, and Erica's dad trying to get away from SPYDER, but also trying to save Ben/Erica's friends/classmates. Which was fun to read, but again, I came for camping!
Ben is still a fun character, even though he is still quite useless as a spy. Though he is getting better, smarter, and knows more on how to survive and how to get through things. He does have talent, it just needs to be polished, and he will need more training. He was quite brave in this one, though also had some dumb moments that had me rolling my eyes (and laughing). I had an even bigger laugh when he did that during that war enactment and he had to make a diversion. Well, that is one way to do that.
Erica was awesome again, though I did feel sorry that she had to do all the work. Her dad is truly useless (more on him later). I also wish this girl would drop the ice queen act, we can clearly see that she cares about Ben. I wish she was acting a bit more like she was doing when they met up with that relative! She is still a kick-ass girl, and wow, she knows so much and will make an awesome spy one day (though she is one now, but I guess to the adults she is still a kid).
Urgh at Erica's dad. I just don't like this kind of character. His ego is just way too big, he can't do crap, he steals credit and also blames other people for his mistakes, and I could go on. There was just one moment in here where he showed that he can do it if he wants to, but that was just a very short moment and it pretty much ended in him being an idiot again. *sighs*
I am also happy to see other characters again, though I could do with Warren. What a horrible person that one is. Quite the difference from how the bully (who is now Ben's friend) is in this book.
I am still laughing at how terrible the spy organisation (and the school) is. There are so many errors, the way they treat people is urgh, they need to believe people more, and maybe get more capable people in their team who don't suck or endanger missions or people.
The ending was exciting, and a great way to end this book.
There are lots of fun moments with tons of action and spying, and I just flew through this book. I will definitely need to get the next book, I am curious how this story will continue + I need to see if Ben gets better at being a spy.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
I have had this book in my possession for some time, but just didn't feel in the mood for reading it, not even while I was camping myself. Then again, given the book and how little of it is about the spy camp, I guess it is good I didn't read it during my camping time. :P
Yep, as you can see from that previous paragraph, this book is called Spy Camp, but actually just a small part of it is about the camp. Which I found highly disappointing. Why call it Spy Camp then? I had expected that this entire book was about him and his friends going camping, seeing what kind of courses and stuff they would have and what they would learn. Instead Ben is quickly whisked away as soon as things get hectic/as soon as SPYDER pops up. After that it is just all survival, him, Erica, and Erica's dad trying to get away from SPYDER, but also trying to save Ben/Erica's friends/classmates. Which was fun to read, but again, I came for camping!
Ben is still a fun character, even though he is still quite useless as a spy. Though he is getting better, smarter, and knows more on how to survive and how to get through things. He does have talent, it just needs to be polished, and he will need more training. He was quite brave in this one, though also had some dumb moments that had me rolling my eyes (and laughing). I had an even bigger laugh when he did that during that war enactment and he had to make a diversion. Well, that is one way to do that.
Erica was awesome again, though I did feel sorry that she had to do all the work. Her dad is truly useless (more on him later). I also wish this girl would drop the ice queen act, we can clearly see that she cares about Ben. I wish she was acting a bit more like she was doing when they met up with that relative! She is still a kick-ass girl, and wow, she knows so much and will make an awesome spy one day (though she is one now, but I guess to the adults she is still a kid).
Urgh at Erica's dad. I just don't like this kind of character. His ego is just way too big, he can't do crap, he steals credit and also blames other people for his mistakes, and I could go on. There was just one moment in here where he showed that he can do it if he wants to, but that was just a very short moment and it pretty much ended in him being an idiot again. *sighs*
I am also happy to see other characters again, though I could do with Warren. What a horrible person that one is. Quite the difference from how the bully (who is now Ben's friend) is in this book.
I am still laughing at how terrible the spy organisation (and the school) is. There are so many errors, the way they treat people is urgh, they need to believe people more, and maybe get more capable people in their team who don't suck or endanger missions or people.
The ending was exciting, and a great way to end this book.
There are lots of fun moments with tons of action and spying, and I just flew through this book. I will definitely need to get the next book, I am curious how this story will continue + I need to see if Ben gets better at being a spy.
Review first posted at https://twirlingbookprincess.com/
February 12, 2018
This is the second book in the Spy School series by Stuart Gibbs. It begins at the end of the school year, as Ben expects to go home and enjoy his summer vacation.
Of course, nothing ever goes as he expects, and soon Ben is on his way to 'Happy Trails', a wilderness survival camp otherwise known as the CIA's summer school. And he immediately embarks on another adventure with his fellow student Erica Hale, trying to evade (and disrupt the plans of) the nefarious secret group, SPYDER.
With numerous plot twists, this book is even more engaging and entertaining than the first. The story is dramatic, but funny, too, and even though the story gets a bit silly, I really enjoyed it. Gibson Frazier does a great job narrating the audiobook and I love how he was able to manage performing the numerous character voices.
I love that the story is set in Virginia and parts of West Virginia, since we spend so much time going from one to the other. In fact, when the town of Wardensville, West Virginia was mentioned, I was very excited, since we pass through (and often stop) there very often.
interesting quotes (page numbers from paperback edition with ISBN13 978-1442457546):
"I could imagine her as a kindergartener, making a high-tech raid on the family cookie jar." (p. 19)
"'You’re only a first year!' Tina cried. 'And you’re already getting death threats! Do you have any idea how lucky you are?'" (p. 28)
"Which meant they probably knew Alexander was as dangerous as a wet napkin." (p. 81)
"Erica sighed. 'Don't you ever get tired of being wrong?' she asked." (p. 136)
"A 'farb,' I'd learned from the sutler, was a reenactor who didn't strive for authenticity - for example, someone who had the good sense to wear nice, comfortable cotton underwear beneath his uniform." (p. 230)
"Apparently, it was common for children to participate in the Civil War, and thus, lots of fathers had brought their sons along for a fun family weekend of simulated violence and bloodshed." (p. 230)
"'We can't afford any screwups right now,' Cyrus told him. 'And no one screws up like you do.'" (p. 234)
"'You're a legend.' Then I lowered my voice to add, 'And legends, no matter how preposterous, are usually based on fact, right?'" (p. 268)
new words: farb, sutler
Of course, nothing ever goes as he expects, and soon Ben is on his way to 'Happy Trails', a wilderness survival camp otherwise known as the CIA's summer school. And he immediately embarks on another adventure with his fellow student Erica Hale, trying to evade (and disrupt the plans of) the nefarious secret group, SPYDER.
With numerous plot twists, this book is even more engaging and entertaining than the first. The story is dramatic, but funny, too, and even though the story gets a bit silly, I really enjoyed it. Gibson Frazier does a great job narrating the audiobook and I love how he was able to manage performing the numerous character voices.
I love that the story is set in Virginia and parts of West Virginia, since we spend so much time going from one to the other. In fact, when the town of Wardensville, West Virginia was mentioned, I was very excited, since we pass through (and often stop) there very often.
interesting quotes (page numbers from paperback edition with ISBN13 978-1442457546):
"I could imagine her as a kindergartener, making a high-tech raid on the family cookie jar." (p. 19)
"'You’re only a first year!' Tina cried. 'And you’re already getting death threats! Do you have any idea how lucky you are?'" (p. 28)
"Which meant they probably knew Alexander was as dangerous as a wet napkin." (p. 81)
"Erica sighed. 'Don't you ever get tired of being wrong?' she asked." (p. 136)
"A 'farb,' I'd learned from the sutler, was a reenactor who didn't strive for authenticity - for example, someone who had the good sense to wear nice, comfortable cotton underwear beneath his uniform." (p. 230)
"Apparently, it was common for children to participate in the Civil War, and thus, lots of fathers had brought their sons along for a fun family weekend of simulated violence and bloodshed." (p. 230)
"'We can't afford any screwups right now,' Cyrus told him. 'And no one screws up like you do.'" (p. 234)
"'You're a legend.' Then I lowered my voice to add, 'And legends, no matter how preposterous, are usually based on fact, right?'" (p. 268)
new words: farb, sutler
January 27, 2022
Title: Spy Camp
Author: Stuart Gibbs
Book Review by: [Antonio Leo]
The book I am reviewing is Spy Camp, by Stuart Gibbs.
This book follows a boy named Ben Ripley, who instead of going to a normal is recruited to the CIA spy school in Washington D.C. This book doesn’t specify when this story takes place put it is obviously current day. After surviving the first year of spy school, Ben expects to be at home with his family having a good time. But he forgot about the summer camp.
At the camp a threat appears in his bunk’s mailbox. It says Join or die. The letter was sent by his enemy from the first book, Murray Hill, even though he’s supposed to
be in jail. Ben teams up with Erica Hale, an older and stronger spy student, to stop Murray and the organization he’s working for.
After being attacked on a bus by the organization Ben and erica are forced of a waterfall. They survive and start to investigate the Murray hill thing. They also are meet up with the mythical (fraud) Alexander Hale, father of Erica. They soon discover that Murray Hill is in jail? But how, he was the one that sent the letter to the camp. They go to talk to Murray to find out that Murray, isn’t Murray. The real Murray paid someone to go to jail in his place. When Ben realizes this, it’s too late, enemy henchmen attack them. After escaping, they find Cyprus Hale, grandfather of Erica Hale, who is the real one getting targeted by Spyder. Spyder used Ben as bait to find the real fish, Cyprus Hale, a master spy, the best in the world.
Cyprus and Erica are later captured and that means Ben and the fraud Alexander Hale must foil Spyder’s plan. What’s the plan? A bomb. A bomb aimed at the capital of the United States. Ben inspires Alexander Hale to be the fake Alexander everyone knew. With that speech Ben and Alexander take out the Spyder Guards and stop the bomb. And Ben gets the respect of Erica Hale. The end.
This is one of my most favorite books I’ve ever read. I love the genre, the action, the adventure, and the mystery. I am very impressed with the author’s ability to have many different locations and put them all into one adventure story, one chapter they’re at the camp, then they’re at the edge of a cliff, then they’re in a forest, a civil war reenactment, it’s all over the place but it works. For me the most interesting part
of the story is the civil war part, there’s like a whole fact fight but they have a real cannon, that Ben uses to their advantage to help fight the enemy.
I give this story 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone. It’s great, simple and complex, and there are more books in the series to find out what happens to Ben in the future. If you like books in general, you’ll like this, there are a ton of topics that the book goes through. So, in conclusion, read the book, it’s good.
Author: Stuart Gibbs
Book Review by: [Antonio Leo]
The book I am reviewing is Spy Camp, by Stuart Gibbs.
This book follows a boy named Ben Ripley, who instead of going to a normal is recruited to the CIA spy school in Washington D.C. This book doesn’t specify when this story takes place put it is obviously current day. After surviving the first year of spy school, Ben expects to be at home with his family having a good time. But he forgot about the summer camp.
At the camp a threat appears in his bunk’s mailbox. It says Join or die. The letter was sent by his enemy from the first book, Murray Hill, even though he’s supposed to
be in jail. Ben teams up with Erica Hale, an older and stronger spy student, to stop Murray and the organization he’s working for.
After being attacked on a bus by the organization Ben and erica are forced of a waterfall. They survive and start to investigate the Murray hill thing. They also are meet up with the mythical (fraud) Alexander Hale, father of Erica. They soon discover that Murray Hill is in jail? But how, he was the one that sent the letter to the camp. They go to talk to Murray to find out that Murray, isn’t Murray. The real Murray paid someone to go to jail in his place. When Ben realizes this, it’s too late, enemy henchmen attack them. After escaping, they find Cyprus Hale, grandfather of Erica Hale, who is the real one getting targeted by Spyder. Spyder used Ben as bait to find the real fish, Cyprus Hale, a master spy, the best in the world.
Cyprus and Erica are later captured and that means Ben and the fraud Alexander Hale must foil Spyder’s plan. What’s the plan? A bomb. A bomb aimed at the capital of the United States. Ben inspires Alexander Hale to be the fake Alexander everyone knew. With that speech Ben and Alexander take out the Spyder Guards and stop the bomb. And Ben gets the respect of Erica Hale. The end.
This is one of my most favorite books I’ve ever read. I love the genre, the action, the adventure, and the mystery. I am very impressed with the author’s ability to have many different locations and put them all into one adventure story, one chapter they’re at the camp, then they’re at the edge of a cliff, then they’re in a forest, a civil war reenactment, it’s all over the place but it works. For me the most interesting part
of the story is the civil war part, there’s like a whole fact fight but they have a real cannon, that Ben uses to their advantage to help fight the enemy.
I give this story 5 stars. I would recommend this book to anyone. It’s great, simple and complex, and there are more books in the series to find out what happens to Ben in the future. If you like books in general, you’ll like this, there are a ton of topics that the book goes through. So, in conclusion, read the book, it’s good.
April 14, 2024
If I were to rate this book, I would give it a 4.65 out of 5.
I loved this book!
It was even better than the original, which is hard to do.
The second installment introduced many significant characters and explored some of their stories more deeply while keeping its iconic humor and voice.
The things built into this book foreshadow things to come in the rest of the series.
The characters will also develop a lot more throughout the series, and I was impressed by the base Stuart Gibbs set up for it.
This book also made me burst out laughing many times.
The humor lightened up the whole story.
The twists also made my eyes go wide.
Although I've already read all the books in the series (except the last one, which I'm close to finishing, and I will once I get it back on Libby), I still didn't anticipate or think of it.
Overall, this book left me feeling satisfied, and I'm happy I reread it!
I heavily recommend it to anyone and everyone.
I loved this book!
It was even better than the original, which is hard to do.
The second installment introduced many significant characters and explored some of their stories more deeply while keeping its iconic humor and voice.
The things built into this book foreshadow things to come in the rest of the series.
The characters will also develop a lot more throughout the series, and I was impressed by the base Stuart Gibbs set up for it.
This book also made me burst out laughing many times.
The humor lightened up the whole story.
The twists also made my eyes go wide.
Although I've already read all the books in the series (except the last one, which I'm close to finishing, and I will once I get it back on Libby), I still didn't anticipate or think of it.
Overall, this book left me feeling satisfied, and I'm happy I reread it!
I heavily recommend it to anyone and everyone.
October 30, 2019
After Ben ripley finishes his first year of spy school ( a secret school in a classified location) with his friend Erica he discovers that he has to go to spy camp, (a hidden camp in the forest). But SPYDER is after him again and there mole has infiltrated spy camp to kill him.I liked this book because it doesn’t just have mystery in it it has mystery, action, and lots of surprises along the way.
I recommend this book to kids who like action and mystery and like other books written by the same author Stuart Gibbs. I think the author has a really good layout and at the beginning of every chapter he tells us where they are what time it is and date. There is a lot of action in this book. I think that there is action in every other chapter, and at the end of some chapters there is a few cliff hangers.
I recommend this book to kids who like action and mystery and like other books written by the same author Stuart Gibbs. I think the author has a really good layout and at the beginning of every chapter he tells us where they are what time it is and date. There is a lot of action in this book. I think that there is action in every other chapter, and at the end of some chapters there is a few cliff hangers.
July 2, 2020
Ben Ripley is not your average middle-schooler...he's a spy! This is book number two in the Spy School series. This time, he's at a rustic spy camp, which has been infiltrated by his enemy, the evil SPYDER organization. This book is available as an e-book through Libby/Overdrive.
Reviewed by Debbie Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
Reviewed by Debbie Hersh, Circulation, Vernon Area Public Library
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