The Secret Agents Strike Back [Hardcover]

Robyn Freedman Spizman (Author), Mark Johnston (Author)

Book Description

Remember Kyle Parker? He's that kid who started the Secret Agents a few summers ago to help out his dad, and now he's back for a new adventure.

Remember Lucinda Winston? Super cute, practically a genius, and completely in love with oblivious Kyle? Well, now she has a problem--a BIG problem. Or rather, her mom has a problem.

See, Lucinda's mom is this totally brilliant biology professor at NYU. But something happened to Professor Winston twenty-three years ago, and now it's come back to haunt her. Lucinda's mom is suddenly so scared that she's ready to take her family and leave New York City forever. Only Kyle can't let that happen. Not when he's finally realized how cool Lucinda is, and especially not when such a perfect case for the Secret Agents falls into his lap...

The Secret Agents Strike Back is the second book from Robyn Freedman Spizman and Mark Johnston about Kyle Parker and his gang of undercover friends. Filled with adventure, danger, and the sights, sounds, and smells of New York City, this is the book for anyone willing to do whatever it takes to help a friend.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5–8—In this sequel to Secret Agent(S & S, 2005), Kyle Parker, a teen who pulled together a small group of friends to solve mysteries, has a crush on one of them, Lucinda Wilson. Her mother, a molecular biology professor at New York University, has decided to move her family to Atlanta, under mysterious circumstances that involve something that happened to her when she was a graduate student 23 years ago. Kyle, Lucinda, and the rest of the Secret Agents find out that Ms. Wilson never finished her dissertation, despite her position at the university. They learn that she discovered a potential cure for cancer, information she had used in her dissertation, which was then stolen by her professor at that time to enhance his own career. Kyle, Lucinda, and the other Secret Agents embark on a series of adventures throughout New York City in an effort to trick the culprit into publicly admitting what he had done and rectify the situation before it is too late. This is a lighthearted adventure filled with quirky characters such as a teenage boy with a gift for singing opera and a famous romance novelist who writes under a female pseudonym. The book is fast paced, and each chapter ends with a hook that should keep reluctant readers eager to continue. It should appeal to children who enjoy mysteries with a bit of slapstick humor thrown in.—Donna Atmur, Los Angeles Public Library
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About the Author

Robyn Freedman Spizman is an award-winning author and a nationally known media personality and consumer advocate. She has appeared for the past two decades on television and radio, and is considered a leading product-and-gift expert. To learn more about her go to www.robynsipizman.com. Robyn lives with her husband in Atlanta, Georgia, and they have two children, Justin and Ali. Secret Agent is her middle-grade fiction debut.

Mark Johnston teaches English in Greenville, South Carolina, where he lives with his wife. Secret Agent is his first novel.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 160 pages
• Publisher: Atheneum Books for Young Readers (January 1, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1416900861
• ISBN-13: 978-1416900863
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.4 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,863,403 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Teen friendships, child-parent bonds, with humor and action, March 13, 2008

By 

Elizabeth Gattis (Falmouth, ME) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Agents Strike Back (Hardcover)

"Secret Agent" by these talented authors is a favorite book in our house, so we eagerly awaited the sequel, "Secret Agents Strike Back."
We were enthralled again. It's another clever adventure in New York City with smart, funny and caring teenagers who reflect those real qualities in kids. The portrayal of strong relationships between parents and teenagers is realistic and touching. And the adult friend of the secret agents, romance writer Percy Percerville, is hilarious. Don't miss this or anything else Johnston and Spizman produce.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a storyteller !!!!!!!!!!!!!!, February 18, 2008

By 

David L. Grigg - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Secret Agents Strike Back (Hardcover)

The authors of this book are real storytellers. Once the action begins it never stops until its over. Kyle and friends are on the job even when they're not. And the ending? What a surprise. It seems as if anyone can write a book these days, but these two authors tell a story. Hats off and kudos.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I couldn't put it down..., February 22, 2008

By 

Doughnuts - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Secret Agents Strike Back (Hardcover)

I loved it! I planned to read a chapter or two before bed and ended up sleep-deprived because I read the whole thing. I couldn't put it down.
I loved:
- The narrator's strong voice - I felt as if I'd sat down next to a fascinating stranger who was filling me in on the juicy details of a story I'd read about in People magazine.
- The setting - Manhattan is brought to life through specifics that will make a non-urban reader feel as if he's a part of the action.
- The story - It's filled with suspense and great twists experienced by likeable characters.

I highly recommend it for kids and adults - fun read!