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Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls #1
Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls
A girl discovers her boarding school is actually an elite spy-training program, and she must learn the skills of the trade in order to find her mother in this action-packed middle grade debut that’s perfect for fans of Stu Gibbs.
After a botched escape plan from her boarding school, Abigail is stunned to discover the school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring called The Center, along with being training grounds for future spies. Even more shocking? Abigail’s mother is a top agent for The Center and she has gone MIA, with valuable information that many people would like to have—at any cost. Along with a former nemesis and charming boy from her grade, Abigail goes through a crash course in Spy Training 101, often with hilarious—and sometimes painful—results.
But Abigail realizes she might be a better spy-in-training than she thought—and the answers to her mother’s whereabouts are a lot closer than she thinks…
After a botched escape plan from her boarding school, Abigail is stunned to discover the school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring called The Center, along with being training grounds for future spies. Even more shocking? Abigail’s mother is a top agent for The Center and she has gone MIA, with valuable information that many people would like to have—at any cost. Along with a former nemesis and charming boy from her grade, Abigail goes through a crash course in Spy Training 101, often with hilarious—and sometimes painful—results.
But Abigail realizes she might be a better spy-in-training than she thought—and the answers to her mother’s whereabouts are a lot closer than she thinks…
320 pages, Paperback
First published July 4, 2017
209 people are currently reading
3337 people want to read
About the author
Beth McMullen
19 books225 followersBeth McMullen lives with her family and an assortment of pets in Davis, CA. She writes for adults and kids. Look for Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls from Aladdin/S&S in July 4, 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 269 reviews
November 25, 2025
1 star ⭐️ Secular Middle-Grade
I was going to do two stars, but honestly, that’s too generous.
In one word, this book was pretty mediocre. It was okay (plot-wise), I guess, but I wasn’t wowed at all. The writing style was…rough and felt a little too much like an adult writing this book than having the voice of an actual 12 year old—which it was, I know, but it was more like someone watched a lot of Disney Channel shows of recent than was with actual kids—down to the text talking like “but u r the 1 who gave me this phone”. Some prime examples of the writing style:
“I’m so lucky. I might be the luckiest Batman-pajama-wearing, stealthy ninja girl on the planet!”
““Are you okay?” Toby asks from across the room. Am I okay? What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I’m not okay! Don’t even say the word “okay” to me, okay? Jeez.”
“Think about New York. Think about the courtyard pond at the Frick museum, so quiet and serene with the fountain gurgling in the middle and the lilies floating on the surface of the water. Yeah. That’s good. I like MoMA, too. And Shake Shack! Oh, that’s a good one. I could lose myself in fantasies about Shake Shack for days!”
“Cue the heart-eye emoji and stars twirling around my head. “Hi,” I croak. Tom has a mop of blond surfer hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He wears a raggedy Nirvana T-shirt and scuffed-up Vans with a checkerboard print. There’s a hole in the knee of his jeans. He’s probably fourteen or fifteen, and he’s cool. I can just tell.”
“You know that moment when you’ve been playing Minecraft on hard mode and the hostile mobs are spawning, the creepers swarm and zombies are busting through the doors? You’re sure you’re dead, but suddenly you make it through and level up. The whole thing clicks into place and makes sense. I have that moment now. Except not with a video game.”
Abby was also incredibly disrespectful in ways that were probably supposed to be funny with lots of sarcasm and calling her mom by her first name, but just made her seem like a whinny brat. The storyline was choppy and things happened abruptly—especially at the beginning with an eight month time-skip that was jarring.
God’s name is taken in vain way more than I like to see ever, but especially in a middle-grade book. I wasn’t planning to read the rest of the series, but may try to read the next one since my library has it available…but also I probably won’t.
Main Content:
Abby thinks that a mean girl put a spell over her like a vampire or something, but tells the readers that she doesn’t believe in that “nonsense” and we shouldn’t either.
Mentions of luck; Mentions of Greek mythology (Persephone, Hades, and Demeter and their stories); A few mentions of astrology signs; A mention of someone having more money than God according to the Internet; A mention of a meditative pond at the school.
Language: God’s name is taken in vain 8 times; Words like freaking, crappy, and screwed; Some name calling like ‘jerk’ and ‘idiot’ (which sometimes hurts feelings); A couple mentions of curses (by adults, but not written out).
Abby has a “sharp tongue” and is very sassy/sarcastic throughout the book; Lying (including an adult telling Abby to lie to her friends because she does it “all the time” and it will get easier with practice, but Abby doesn’t want to do that); Eye rolling; When someone upsets her, Abby gets back at the person by being mean/taunting the person (which makes her feel the opposite of better once she sees the kid’s reaction).
Abby yells at her mother and demands her to come to her (once) & calls her mother by her first name throughout the book (noted as the kids at the school referring to their parents by their first names as if they’re equals or maybe just “superangry” with being abandoned by them and it’s petty revenge); Abby thinks about throwing an item at her mom when upset with her; Despite her annoyance and hurt by her mom’s secret, Abby does love her and feels waves of guilt for not noticing things about her and not reading her text messages; Some comments from others about Abby’s mother’s life being “screwed up” after having Abby (because of how they view her career, no comment like this is made by Abby’s mom; Abby thinks she’s going to get blamed for global warming next after this is commented on again and again); A woman says that a child should never pay for their parent’s mistakes.
Abby sneaks out of the school (twice), is grabbed by people and kidnapped (including by bad guys who mean her harm), tied-up and threatened with a gun, passes out (also implied drugged), slapped in the face by an adult man, falls through a frozen pond, sneaks into a teacher’s office and snooping, eavesdrops, and lies; Abby sees what looks like a girl being bound to a chair and appears bitten by a vampire on her neck and bleeding then turning into a scaly and rotting monster (which majorly freaks Abby out to the point she passes out; It was actually a fake technology thing); When grabbed, Abby kicks a man “where it counts” and runs away; Adults put Abby in danger and use her as bait.
Abby is shown a picture of a dead body covered by a sheet (which she calls “gross”); Seeing some fighting, held at gunpoint, & others knocked unconscious and sedated with darts.
A gender comment such as a girl being called bossy and another girl saying that “We don’t use the word ‘bossy’ to describe girls anymore, it’s condescending. If a boy acts in the same way, he’s called a leader.”
Mentions of Abby getting in trouble prior (such as rigging the student council elections by ballot-box-stuffing for her friend, “liberate” the lemurs at the zoo, & freeing parrots in a cage); Mentions of kidnappings, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of weapons & self-defense moves; mo threats & blackmail; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of bullies, mean girls, & their cruel actions; Mentions of tattoos; Mentions of vampires, zombies, & aliens; A few mentions of human trafficking and a bad guy who sells kids; A few mentions of possible car crashes; A couple mentions of pee; A mention of suicide bridge jumpers.
Pop culture references like the Titanic movie, Mean Girls, Charlie’s Angels, Law & Order, & Minecraft.
Crushes & Blushes; Tingles & Almost swooning.
Abby has a crush on a guy at school, but he has a crush on one of her friends’ so she doesn’t say anything about it (but she thinks about how cute he is for a while at one point).
An implied hint that Abby doesn’t know anything about her biological father.
Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, crushes, & cute boys; A mention of naked statues.
I was going to do two stars, but honestly, that’s too generous.
In one word, this book was pretty mediocre. It was okay (plot-wise), I guess, but I wasn’t wowed at all. The writing style was…rough and felt a little too much like an adult writing this book than having the voice of an actual 12 year old—which it was, I know, but it was more like someone watched a lot of Disney Channel shows of recent than was with actual kids—down to the text talking like “but u r the 1 who gave me this phone”. Some prime examples of the writing style:
“I’m so lucky. I might be the luckiest Batman-pajama-wearing, stealthy ninja girl on the planet!”
““Are you okay?” Toby asks from across the room. Am I okay? What kind of stupid question is that? Of course I’m not okay! Don’t even say the word “okay” to me, okay? Jeez.”
“Think about New York. Think about the courtyard pond at the Frick museum, so quiet and serene with the fountain gurgling in the middle and the lilies floating on the surface of the water. Yeah. That’s good. I like MoMA, too. And Shake Shack! Oh, that’s a good one. I could lose myself in fantasies about Shake Shack for days!”
“Cue the heart-eye emoji and stars twirling around my head. “Hi,” I croak. Tom has a mop of blond surfer hair and the bluest eyes I’ve ever seen. He wears a raggedy Nirvana T-shirt and scuffed-up Vans with a checkerboard print. There’s a hole in the knee of his jeans. He’s probably fourteen or fifteen, and he’s cool. I can just tell.”
“You know that moment when you’ve been playing Minecraft on hard mode and the hostile mobs are spawning, the creepers swarm and zombies are busting through the doors? You’re sure you’re dead, but suddenly you make it through and level up. The whole thing clicks into place and makes sense. I have that moment now. Except not with a video game.”
Abby was also incredibly disrespectful in ways that were probably supposed to be funny with lots of sarcasm and calling her mom by her first name, but just made her seem like a whinny brat. The storyline was choppy and things happened abruptly—especially at the beginning with an eight month time-skip that was jarring.
God’s name is taken in vain way more than I like to see ever, but especially in a middle-grade book. I wasn’t planning to read the rest of the series, but may try to read the next one since my library has it available…but also I probably won’t.
Main Content:
Abby thinks that a mean girl put a spell over her like a vampire or something, but tells the readers that she doesn’t believe in that “nonsense” and we shouldn’t either.
Mentions of luck; Mentions of Greek mythology (Persephone, Hades, and Demeter and their stories); A few mentions of astrology signs; A mention of someone having more money than God according to the Internet; A mention of a meditative pond at the school.
Language: God’s name is taken in vain 8 times; Words like freaking, crappy, and screwed; Some name calling like ‘jerk’ and ‘idiot’ (which sometimes hurts feelings); A couple mentions of curses (by adults, but not written out).
Abby has a “sharp tongue” and is very sassy/sarcastic throughout the book; Lying (including an adult telling Abby to lie to her friends because she does it “all the time” and it will get easier with practice, but Abby doesn’t want to do that); Eye rolling; When someone upsets her, Abby gets back at the person by being mean/taunting the person (which makes her feel the opposite of better once she sees the kid’s reaction).
Abby yells at her mother and demands her to come to her (once) & calls her mother by her first name throughout the book (noted as the kids at the school referring to their parents by their first names as if they’re equals or maybe just “superangry” with being abandoned by them and it’s petty revenge); Abby thinks about throwing an item at her mom when upset with her; Despite her annoyance and hurt by her mom’s secret, Abby does love her and feels waves of guilt for not noticing things about her and not reading her text messages; Some comments from others about Abby’s mother’s life being “screwed up” after having Abby (because of how they view her career, no comment like this is made by Abby’s mom; Abby thinks she’s going to get blamed for global warming next after this is commented on again and again); A woman says that a child should never pay for their parent’s mistakes.
Abby sneaks out of the school (twice), is grabbed by people and kidnapped (including by bad guys who mean her harm), tied-up and threatened with a gun, passes out (also implied drugged), slapped in the face by an adult man, falls through a frozen pond, sneaks into a teacher’s office and snooping, eavesdrops, and lies; Abby sees what looks like a girl being bound to a chair and appears bitten by a vampire on her neck and bleeding then turning into a scaly and rotting monster (which majorly freaks Abby out to the point she passes out; It was actually a fake technology thing); When grabbed, Abby kicks a man “where it counts” and runs away; Adults put Abby in danger and use her as bait.
Abby is shown a picture of a dead body covered by a sheet (which she calls “gross”); Seeing some fighting, held at gunpoint, & others knocked unconscious and sedated with darts.
A gender comment such as a girl being called bossy and another girl saying that “We don’t use the word ‘bossy’ to describe girls anymore, it’s condescending. If a boy acts in the same way, he’s called a leader.”
Mentions of Abby getting in trouble prior (such as rigging the student council elections by ballot-box-stuffing for her friend, “liberate” the lemurs at the zoo, & freeing parrots in a cage); Mentions of kidnappings, injuries, pain, & blood/bleeding; Mentions of weapons & self-defense moves; mo threats & blackmail; Mentions of lies, lying, & liars; Mentions of bullies, mean girls, & their cruel actions; Mentions of tattoos; Mentions of vampires, zombies, & aliens; A few mentions of human trafficking and a bad guy who sells kids; A few mentions of possible car crashes; A couple mentions of pee; A mention of suicide bridge jumpers.
Pop culture references like the Titanic movie, Mean Girls, Charlie’s Angels, Law & Order, & Minecraft.
Crushes & Blushes; Tingles & Almost swooning.
Abby has a crush on a guy at school, but he has a crush on one of her friends’ so she doesn’t say anything about it (but she thinks about how cute he is for a while at one point).
An implied hint that Abby doesn’t know anything about her biological father.
Mentions of boyfriends/girlfriends, crushes, & cute boys; A mention of naked statues.
November 7, 2017
3.5 stars
This is a must have for any upper elementary classroom or library. The action centers on a girl who finds herself attending a boarding school that is not quite what it seems. She learns a lot of secrets about her mother and her past. There is a wonderful team of classmates who work together on a quest to figure out where Abigail's mother has gone and what she discovered before she disappeared. It requires a good deal of suspension of disbelief for adult readers, but should be a perfect recommendation for those kids who like watching K.C. Undercover or simply enjoy the idea of adults relying on kids to save the world.
This is a must have for any upper elementary classroom or library. The action centers on a girl who finds herself attending a boarding school that is not quite what it seems. She learns a lot of secrets about her mother and her past. There is a wonderful team of classmates who work together on a quest to figure out where Abigail's mother has gone and what she discovered before she disappeared. It requires a good deal of suspension of disbelief for adult readers, but should be a perfect recommendation for those kids who like watching K.C. Undercover or simply enjoy the idea of adults relying on kids to save the world.
June 5, 2018
A fun quick read. Loved the short chapters and that it wasn't too much over the top. Usually kids against bad guys books can go utterly eyes-rolling unrealistic :D. I liked Abigail and her friends so I'm going to continue with the series for sure.
Buzzword Readathon_ Round 1: buzzword_girl
Buzzword Readathon_ Round 1: buzzword_girl
September 9, 2021
A NEW FAVOURITE? YESSS!!!!!❤️ I LOVED THIS SO MUCHHH!!!!!!❤️
So this is about Abgail and one day she gets a letter to a boarding school. But she doesn’t know that it is a spy school for girls and…her own mum…is the top agent!!❤️
I really loved everthing about this book!! This was really past paced! Some parts were a bit boring but other than that it was so great!❤️ And moreover, this was so funny😂Full of sarcasm!! I really loved every characater!!
Abgail’s friends were so cool and smart!! They did a great job towards the end💖💖 I really adored the charcater of Abgail, she was too funny, sweet and smart!! And the twist? I COULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED IT!! It shook me!! There were a few more twists as well!❤️ I loved everthing about this book!! ❤️
I LOVED IT!!!!❤️
So this is about Abgail and one day she gets a letter to a boarding school. But she doesn’t know that it is a spy school for girls and…her own mum…is the top agent!!❤️
I really loved everthing about this book!! This was really past paced! Some parts were a bit boring but other than that it was so great!❤️ And moreover, this was so funny😂Full of sarcasm!! I really loved every characater!!
Abgail’s friends were so cool and smart!! They did a great job towards the end💖💖 I really adored the charcater of Abgail, she was too funny, sweet and smart!! And the twist? I COULD HAVE NEVER GUESSED IT!! It shook me!! There were a few more twists as well!❤️ I loved everthing about this book!! ❤️
I LOVED IT!!!!❤️
September 6, 2018
More of a 3.5
Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls is middle grade Gallagher Girls all the way through. It's fun, a bit silly, and requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief. I could absolutely see young readers loving this book. In fact, I liked it more than the first couple Gallagher Girls books. Good start to a new series.
Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls is middle grade Gallagher Girls all the way through. It's fun, a bit silly, and requires quite a bit of suspension of disbelief. I could absolutely see young readers loving this book. In fact, I liked it more than the first couple Gallagher Girls books. Good start to a new series.
March 21, 2018
McMullin, Beth Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls 295 pages. Aladdin, 2017. $17.
Language: PG (Lord’s name in vain); Mature Content: G Violence: PG
Abigail is sent to an elite boarding school by her mother. Abigail keeps trying to escape even tying sheets together and lowering herself down to the ground. Abigail discovers that the school is not just and elite boarding school, but that it is used as a cover for spy training. Abigail discovers that her mom is the top spy and she has gone missing. Can Abigail complete spy training 101 and be ready to go on her first mission? A mission to save her mom?
This was a fun fun mystery book. Abigail’s character is strong and even though she sometimes is scared and frightened she does her best to complete her mission. There are surprises along the way. This was a fun and easy read. I wanted to know what happened to Abigail and if she would be able to find her mom and the super bad person she had been hunting for years, The Ghost.
EL, MS – OPTIONAL. Ellen-Anita, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Language: PG (Lord’s name in vain); Mature Content: G Violence: PG
Abigail is sent to an elite boarding school by her mother. Abigail keeps trying to escape even tying sheets together and lowering herself down to the ground. Abigail discovers that the school is not just and elite boarding school, but that it is used as a cover for spy training. Abigail discovers that her mom is the top spy and she has gone missing. Can Abigail complete spy training 101 and be ready to go on her first mission? A mission to save her mom?
This was a fun fun mystery book. Abigail’s character is strong and even though she sometimes is scared and frightened she does her best to complete her mission. There are surprises along the way. This was a fun and easy read. I wanted to know what happened to Abigail and if she would be able to find her mom and the super bad person she had been hunting for years, The Ghost.
EL, MS – OPTIONAL. Ellen-Anita, Library Teacher
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
August 21, 2020
I re-read this book as I had a feeling my first review was bland and not well thought out. And I now love this gripping story with all the adventures and characters. It is a remarable story and fits into a category of stories many people praise. Definitely a recommended book!!!
July 1, 2017
Didn't love this one. The chapter breaks seemed abrupt and I couldn't always follow the passage of time (which is a pet peeve of mine). There is definitely enough action to keep young readers engaged, but it started to get a bit tiresome for me. Not sure if I'll pick up the inevitable sequel.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
Thanks to the publisher for a digital advance reader's copy, provided via Edelweiss.
November 23, 2017
Eine mysteriöse Schule, Verschwörungen und Spione kling eigentlich nach einer spannenden Mischung und ich hatte mich sehr auf die Geschichte gefreut.
Leider konnte sie mich jedoch nicht richtig packen und mir nur bedingt Lesefreude bereiten. Ich fand die Erzählweise sehr sprunghaft und hatte Schwierigkeiten der Handlung zu folgen. Besonders zwischen den Kapiteln gibt es größere Brüche und man findet sich plötzlich in komplett anderen Situationen wieder.
Die Handlung fand ich insgesamt doch ein wenig dünn und mit fehlte ein roter Faden mit einem richtigen "Fall". Die Charaktere waren ok, aber so richtig warm geworden bin ich mit ihnen nicht. Das Verhältnis war ein wenig distanziert.
Ich denke für Kinder bietet das Buch einen spannende und actionreiche Unterhaltung, aber als Erwachsene hat mir doch ein wenig gefehlt.
Leider konnte sie mich jedoch nicht richtig packen und mir nur bedingt Lesefreude bereiten. Ich fand die Erzählweise sehr sprunghaft und hatte Schwierigkeiten der Handlung zu folgen. Besonders zwischen den Kapiteln gibt es größere Brüche und man findet sich plötzlich in komplett anderen Situationen wieder.
Die Handlung fand ich insgesamt doch ein wenig dünn und mit fehlte ein roter Faden mit einem richtigen "Fall". Die Charaktere waren ok, aber so richtig warm geworden bin ich mit ihnen nicht. Das Verhältnis war ein wenig distanziert.
Ich denke für Kinder bietet das Buch einen spannende und actionreiche Unterhaltung, aber als Erwachsene hat mir doch ein wenig gefehlt.
July 16, 2023
4.25 stars.
Oh this series is going to be awesome if the next few books are close to as good as this one.
Very exciting and never boring or slow.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
Oh this series is going to be awesome if the next few books are close to as good as this one.
Very exciting and never boring or slow.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
October 24, 2020
A spy novel that is fine if you are looking for action. I was a bit confused in the beginning about one scene that isn't explained until the end. The Japanese minor character is a bit of a stereotype with her math skills and liking for tea but she starts to get developed more by the end. The villains are one dimensional and it sets up for the series. I liked Stormbreaker better by Anthony Horowitz and Ms. Yingling, a Goodreads reviewer, said she liked The Gallagher series better which I haven't heard of and will check out.
September 15, 2017
I was actually kind of disappointed with this book. I have a soft spot for kids-who-are-spies books. I love The Gallagher Girls and Spy School. There are so many right now. This one does seem to measure up. I think it might be a good intro for the kiddos who are wanting adventure but maybe a little young for those series.
SUMMARY:
Abby has been sent to Smith School and is not happy about it. Almost from the beginning things seem amiss, an older girl goes missing, her friends know things they shouldn’t, her mother isn’t who she seems. In an effort to find out more about the mission her mother is working on Abby has to be brought in on the secret that the Smith School is actually a training ground for girl spies. Abby ends up, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes not so much, on hair raising adventures where she has to fly by the seat of her pants and her wits.
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- There is fighting between Abby and the enemies she encounters but nothing graphic.
Drugs/Alcohol: none
THEMES: courage, deception, adventure
THE BOTTOM LINE: I liked it but not as much as others that I have read in the same genre.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: Elementary Library. I will recommend it to kids who love adventure but might not be ready for Gallagher Girls or Spy School.
READALIKES:
Lawless
Spy School
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
SUMMARY:
Abby has been sent to Smith School and is not happy about it. Almost from the beginning things seem amiss, an older girl goes missing, her friends know things they shouldn’t, her mother isn’t who she seems. In an effort to find out more about the mission her mother is working on Abby has to be brought in on the secret that the Smith School is actually a training ground for girl spies. Abby ends up, sometimes voluntarily, sometimes not so much, on hair raising adventures where she has to fly by the seat of her pants and her wits.
CONTENT:
Language: none
Sexuality: none
Violence: mild-- There is fighting between Abby and the enemies she encounters but nothing graphic.
Drugs/Alcohol: none
THEMES: courage, deception, adventure
THE BOTTOM LINE: I liked it but not as much as others that I have read in the same genre.
STATUS IN MY LIBRARY: Elementary Library. I will recommend it to kids who love adventure but might not be ready for Gallagher Girls or Spy School.
READALIKES:
Lawless
Spy School
I'd Tell You I Love You, But Then I'd Have to Kill You
August 8, 2017
*I received this book through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*
I'm a huge fan of fun spy media, such as ALIAS, Veronica Mars (she kinda counts, right?), and I remember liking Gallagher Girls when I was younger. So, when I saw this book pop up on Netgalley, I knew I would have to try it!
It is a fun and quick (for an adult) read. I enjoyed reading this book and the story was fun to follow along with. The relationships with friends and family were sweet and in the midst of becoming more. The spy materials were fun and sneaky, which I always find fun to read.
As much as I really wanted to love this book, because it had so many good elements to love, but the book itself distracted me from truly loving it. I thought it went so fast--which I think is okay in a middle grade novel, but it was abrupt as well in the chapter changes or moving from one scene to the next. There were times when I was confused if I had missed something or if it wasn't mentioned. I was also confused by the timeline.
The book starts "8 months ago" but then mentions that she came to the school 6 months ago-- also it took me a while to understand how she was a 7th grader when she mentioned in the first chapter "8 months ago" that next year she would be an 8th grader. So, I assumed it was summer and she was going into 8th grade...
I really would have preferred more clarification-- more details on these things *gasp!* Me??? Want more details?! I know....
I do think this is a good start to the series, confusion aside, and I can see there is room for growth as the author continues the series, so we can only hope for the best! I will recommend this book to middle schoolers who like adventure and spy novels.
I'm a huge fan of fun spy media, such as ALIAS, Veronica Mars (she kinda counts, right?), and I remember liking Gallagher Girls when I was younger. So, when I saw this book pop up on Netgalley, I knew I would have to try it!
It is a fun and quick (for an adult) read. I enjoyed reading this book and the story was fun to follow along with. The relationships with friends and family were sweet and in the midst of becoming more. The spy materials were fun and sneaky, which I always find fun to read.
As much as I really wanted to love this book, because it had so many good elements to love, but the book itself distracted me from truly loving it. I thought it went so fast--which I think is okay in a middle grade novel, but it was abrupt as well in the chapter changes or moving from one scene to the next. There were times when I was confused if I had missed something or if it wasn't mentioned. I was also confused by the timeline.
The book starts "8 months ago" but then mentions that she came to the school 6 months ago-- also it took me a while to understand how she was a 7th grader when she mentioned in the first chapter "8 months ago" that next year she would be an 8th grader. So, I assumed it was summer and she was going into 8th grade...
I really would have preferred more clarification-- more details on these things *gasp!* Me??? Want more details?! I know....
I do think this is a good start to the series, confusion aside, and I can see there is room for growth as the author continues the series, so we can only hope for the best! I will recommend this book to middle schoolers who like adventure and spy novels.
February 7, 2023
Wowza! Another series that made my top new favorite series of 2022. This was phenomenal. After a botched escape plan from her boarding school, Abigail is stunned to discover the school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring called The Center, along with being training grounds for future spies. Even more shocking? Abigail’s mother is a top agent for The Center & she has gone MIA, with valuable information that many people would like to have—at any cost. Along with a former nemesis & charming boy from her grade, Abigail goes through a crash course in Spy Training 101, often with hilarious—& sometimes painful—results. But Abigail realizes she might be a better spy-in-training than she thought—& the answers to her mother’s whereabouts are a lot closer than she thinks. Another writing style that is just soooo with my taste. Incredible humor, banter, & just the best dialogue. This secret spy school & EVERYTHING about it is fascinating. Loved being at a school that is for spies-such a change for me, & I loved all the details the author put into this. She also writes amazing characters. I love Abigail & the friends she makes at this school. They have a great dynamic together. This is full of incredible humor, cool gadgets(don’t play solitaire! Hahaha), action, danger, adventure, friendship, & more. HIGHLY recommend. BEAUTIFUL cover by Vivienne To as well!💜
August 19, 2017
Things take a turn for the weird when Abby Hunter is admitted to the Smith School for Children, "a preppy ground zero of ivy-smothered buildings, rolling green fields, and well-manicured gardens." Things get even weirder when Abby learns, after a botched escape from the school, that Mrs. Smith's isn't the elite boarding school she thinks it is. It's actually a spy ring called the Center - and her mother is a top agent. A fun, fast-paced adventure that's sure to please every middle-school reader. Highly recommended!
December 20, 2017
Adequate. Sort of "Gallagher Girls" for the pre-YA book set. Boys won't probably read it, but girls who like the Spy School series and other such will.
Props to the author for a mere half page of "thank yous" at the end. But lots of eye rolls for the author bio, because she is billed as the author of the "Spy School For Girls," series, as if she'd written 15 of them, all best sellers. Puh-leez!
Props to the author for a mere half page of "thank yous" at the end. But lots of eye rolls for the author bio, because she is billed as the author of the "Spy School For Girls," series, as if she'd written 15 of them, all best sellers. Puh-leez!
July 29, 2017
At first, his book had been a little hard for me to get into. But, if you keep reading, it's totally worth the snoozeful beginning. Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls was a great adventure that I recommend to people who enjoy things like treasure hunts, humor, and books with no cursing. I truly hope there is a second book and that I get to read it. I think that Abby and Toby would make the perfect couple. Lol. Good book, had lots of fun. Hope you do too!
September 5, 2018
Lots of spy fun! Perfect for upper elementary and middle school readers of mysteries, adventures, and puzzle books. The last third felt like an elaborate Escape Room scenario. Don’t let the “girls” in the title fool you: boys will like this just as much. In fact, this was recommended to me by a well-read boy in middle school!
December 1, 2017
None of the adults act rationally in this book, and it makes me very mad.
October 1, 2024
If there was 100 I would choose 100, so 5 stars ⭐️. It was very clear and the main character was telling the story. It was very fun.
February 13, 2018
Abby Hunter is a student at Smith School for Children. But it turns out that the boarding school is not what it appears to be. The school is actually a cover for an elite spy ring named the Center. And Abby's mother, Jennifer, is the Center's most talented agent. At first, Abby cannot believe her mother hid her occupation from her, but as Abby looks back on her childhood, she begins to connect the dots.
For the past decade, Jennifer has been chasing the Ghost, a threatening criminal. Mrs. Smith informs Abby that her mother is missing; therefore, they need Abby's help in finding her. During Spy Training 101, Abby does find a friend in Toby, a fellow student who is a whiz with technology. His iPhone apps are amazing! But frenemy Veronica is less than enthused with teaching Abby. After a failed attempt to locate her mom, Abby decides to take matters in her own hands and show everyone that she is indeed her mother's daughter.
Beth McMullan's new series is definitely one I will recommend to students. In fact, after reading the synopsis, I have a student waiting for me to bring this book to school tomorrow. Taking place in present day, young readers will be able to relate to the characters even though the setting and plot is far different from their own lives. Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls published in July 2017 but readers only have to wait until July 2018 for the second installment-Power Play.
For the past decade, Jennifer has been chasing the Ghost, a threatening criminal. Mrs. Smith informs Abby that her mother is missing; therefore, they need Abby's help in finding her. During Spy Training 101, Abby does find a friend in Toby, a fellow student who is a whiz with technology. His iPhone apps are amazing! But frenemy Veronica is less than enthused with teaching Abby. After a failed attempt to locate her mom, Abby decides to take matters in her own hands and show everyone that she is indeed her mother's daughter.
Beth McMullan's new series is definitely one I will recommend to students. In fact, after reading the synopsis, I have a student waiting for me to bring this book to school tomorrow. Taking place in present day, young readers will be able to relate to the characters even though the setting and plot is far different from their own lives. Mrs. Smith's Spy School for Girls published in July 2017 but readers only have to wait until July 2018 for the second installment-Power Play.
July 27, 2019
Read for my elementary school library/students. This tells the story of a young girl Abby (12) who is sent to a boarding school that turns out to be a school to teach kids to spy. Turns out that her mom is one of the best spies there is. What students will enjoy is Abby's sense of humor, language and thought processes. There are strong friendships and definitely bad guys. Abby is super smart but often doubts herself which kids can relate to. There is also challenging vocab that kids might look up in dictionary. Why a four star: The ending was a bit abrupt for me - possibly because this is a series? It's also for grades 4 through 6 though I think it is geared more towards 6th grade. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out this coming school year.
August 10, 2020
Imagine Gallagher Girls in middle school and nobody knows who the other spies are. Mrs Smith’s in a nutshell, but it gets much more complicated.
Abigail’s mother went to Mrs Smith’s and worked for the Center as a spy. She sends Abigail there for education (and for setting lemurs free at the zoo), but when her mom goes missing Mrs Smith decides to use Abigail as bait.
I liked this book a lot. I look forward to reading the next book.
Abigail’s mother went to Mrs Smith’s and worked for the Center as a spy. She sends Abigail there for education (and for setting lemurs free at the zoo), but when her mom goes missing Mrs Smith decides to use Abigail as bait.
I liked this book a lot. I look forward to reading the next book.
May 13, 2018
Action adventure mystery starring a self-confident, mischievous girl protagonist whose bent for causing trouble will throw her in the midst of a secret spy organization that will cause her to rethink everything she thought to be true.
June 16, 2019
So good! One star off for using the Lord's Name in vain, an inappropriate part and some violence. Other than that, I loved this book!!
December 17, 2020
My 8 year old loved is and found it really funny, she's very keen to read the next one. I thought it was OK!
September 6, 2023
Unread shelf project 2023: book 84.
Awww this was a cute and fun debut novel! Very fast paced and enjoyable for this tired brain. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
Awww this was a cute and fun debut novel! Very fast paced and enjoyable for this tired brain. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
April 1, 2025
It's like a younger, cleaner version of Gallagher Girls by Ally Carter.
July 19, 2020
295 pages. I loved this book! It was a little bit older in the ages of the characters than I usually buy for elementary level, but it was an amazing story. Abigail is a girl who does not want to go to boarding school, but after reluctantly agreeing finds herself in the middle of some amazing adventures. This book will take you on a ride, with a plot full of so many twists and turns you will get carsick fast! It is non-stop mystery, drama, and lots of rule-breaking. I really think kids will love this series. I began book 2 immediately. Highly recommended for Grade 5 girls...but boys may like it.
March 14, 2022
Fun! I wish Abby's friends were a bit more developed, but the plot was engaging, I enjoyed the spy gadgets and Abby herself was well written.
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