Top Secret Smackdown

Mac B., Kid Spy #3

by Mac Barnett, Mike Lowery (Illustrator)

Mac B. is back on another madcap adventure -- this time a stolen raven threatens to topple the Queen and it's up to Mac to smackdown his KGB rival once and for all!
Get the latest in the New York Times bestselling series, MAC B., KID SPY!

Ravens have been stolen from the Tower of London! Mac B.'s top-secret mission? Travel to Iceland and retrieve the ravens... or Britain is ruined!

In Iceland, Mac discovers secret submarines, hungry polar bears, mysterious blueprints... and his old archnemesis! Is the KGB man behind this birdnapping? Can Mac get the ravens to safety? It's time for an epic, top-secret smackdown between these two secret agents! With full-color illustrations on every page and fascinating historical facts woven throughout, this series offers adventure, intrigue, absurdity, history, and humor. Catch the latest in the totally smart and sidesplittingly funny series, Mac B., Kid Spy.

Genres: Humor, Fiction, Middle Grade, Childrens, Chapter Books, Adventure, Mystery

160 pages, Hardcover

First published September 17, 2019

About the author

Born to non-farmers in a California farming community, Mac Barnett now lives near San Francisco. He's on the board of directors of 826LA, a nonprofit writing center for students in Los Angeles, and he founded the Echo Park Time Travel Mart, a convenience store for time travelers.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite things about this series: the Corgis (just Freddie in this book, but still awesome), the tongue-in-cheek humor, the queen's conversations with Mac, and the fun things you learn (that's true -- you can look it up). So much fun and perfect for kids who love short chapters and lots of graphics.

[Terra Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

The funniest in the series yet. My kids find these hilarious, especially with my British and Russian accents (which are not very good). They love the way the stories thread together and often before I read something they will quote what he’s about to say and laugh and laugh. Funny, quick and quirky.

[Pam · Rating 3 out of 5]

The series continues with Mac saving the Tower of London ravens after they have been kidnapped by the KGB man - still wearing Mac's jeans.
Middle grade readers will love the craziness of the latest adventure taking Mac to Iceland.

[Sara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never again. We picked this because Eliana loves spies but this was BORING.

Eliana’s review: “Can we stop and read a different libary book? I’m bored.”

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac B. Kid Spy is back and when the Queen of England calls this time, she can’t get a word in edgewise because the Prince of Wales keeps picking up the phone to try and order a pizza. So, she sends a helicopter for Mac so that they can talk in person.

The problem this time? Someone as birdnapped the Ravens at the Tower of London. The Queen is frantic because “If the Tower of London ravens are lost or fly away, the Crown will fall, and Britain with it.” At least according to the Royal Astronomer way back in 1667.

So Mac is on the case and this time he meets the President of Iceland, journeys to the North Pole and once again does battle with his archenemy, KGB Man.

Another humorous mystery for students 3rd grade and up.

[Jessica F · Rating 5 out of 5]

"That's how it happens. One minute you are lying bored on the floor of your bedroom, the next you are boarding a helicopter, which takes you to a spy plane (a regular plane with a spy on it, me) that flies you to the United Kingdom. It may seem strange that life can change so fast, but life is strange and always changing, even if you're not a spy."

When the Tower's Ravens are abducted, the Queen has no choice but to call on her best kid spy: Mac Barnett. Mac is all too glad to leave behind his life in California (especially his mom's boyfriend Craig), even if it means crossing paths with his arch-enemy, the KGB Man, once again.

Don't think I've mentioned yet how much I love the historical tidbits and fun facts sprinkled throughout these stories. 😍

[Tessyohnka · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book from the summer reading list for my grandson -- it's a Mac Barnett summer so far! Denny gave this five stars telling me that it's just really funny -- it gives you a good feeling. He liked that Freddie, Mac's corgi didn't show up in the book until later making it more dramatic, and just when he thought that it would be Freddy coming to save Mac, there was a comic twist. Denny thought it was cool that the books are printed in two colors -- even though it messed with the colors of the flags described in this one. I liked all the jokes about what a Welsh person might find offensive, and Denny and I both enjoyed all the factual tidbits about the royals and the UK that "are true, you can look them up." We do, and they are!

[Anvay Khedekar · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Top Secret Smackdown" sees Mac B. embarking on another wild adventure, this time involving a wrestling match and a secret mission. The book is as action-packed and hilarious as ever, with Mac's witty observations and daring escapades keeping readers thoroughly entertained.

The cover's vibrant energy reflects the dynamic story within. The narrative is fast-paced, and the humor is spot-on, making it an engaging read from start to finish. The characters are as lovable and quirky as ever, and the plot is filled with surprising twists. This book is a fantastic continuation of the series, offering non-stop fun and excitement for young readers.

[x · Rating 5 out of 5]

Checked this out for my kid and I had way more fun with it. She learned about Icelandic horses and the ravens at the Tower of London, and I LOL’d at the illustration of Mac’s arch nemesis KGB Man, who rides said horse sans shirt. Also spot on about disinformation and other KGB tactics that some adults should really learn! Please don’t get poisoned, Mac Barnett.

[Rachael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very funny, and I actually learned some things from it-- like that there are freshwater harbor porpoises in bodies of water like the River Thames. As Mac Barnett says several times in the book, "It's true. You can look it up." 😊 This installment ends with quite a cliffhanger. I am looking forward to reading the next with my son. This series has been really fun to read aloud with him.

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Once again, kid spy Mac B takes along for one of his missions. This time he needs to return the ravens to the Tower of London, but will need help along the way from the President of Iceland. He goes up against KGB man again, only to see him escape once more. My students are loving these books and rightfully so. Too fun.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never tire of listening to Mac Barnett's KGB man, his Queen ("Helllooooooooooooooo"), and Mac B making jokes. These stories are simply hilarious and I would like to go back in time so that we can listen as a family on a long car trip when the kids were younger.
Best audiobooks I've heard in a long time.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving the series so far. Quick, fun, easy to read and children can learn a thing (or two) about England as well.

Here's my full review:
https://themamatravels.wordpress.com/...

[Riley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is really funny because there is a raven who loves attacking antennas. Even his name is funny...George! We have ravens where I live and they always act like kings sitting on top cars in the mall parking lot.

[Graham Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

"'Mac,' said the Queen, 'I am of the firm belief that jokes should be funny,'" might be the best line Mac Barnett has written. This adventure was a fun one with lots of twists and callbacks to the two previous books. The best one so far.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac is back and he’s trying to rescue the Queen’s ravens which have been stolen! In this adventure, he ends up in Iceland and the North Pole, learns about dolphins and porpoises….. and comes eye to eye with his arch nemesis! Brilliant, irreverent fun!

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

My students love this series, and book #3 continues the fun!

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun spy mission as always.

[Kris Patrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny with cute illustrations

[Morgan Nikola-Wren · Rating 5 out of 5]

The whole series is a delight. I get so much joy out of reading this to a room of seven-year-olds.

[dr. penguin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is awesome. Is it actually true that the author is a spy? LOL.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and funny as always! And totally true. I have it on good authority.

[Erin Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are cute books!

[Erin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is fun to read aloud with my son.
Very clever and I enjoy the 1980s references.

[Bob Bobjr]

why is it to gud to exit like an amazing book if u ask me

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining and funny series to read to my youngest.

[Arhaan Shaikh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and cool

[Nichole · Rating 5 out of 5]

My kid and I still love these.

[Cara Noyes · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are delightful. There are plenty of funny jokes, action, and silly truths interwoven into the plot.
I enjoyed all the Prince of Whales 🐳 references.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Who would be allergic to cod?