• Booklist Reviews : Booklist Reviews 2017 June #1
  It's a rude awakening for Abigail when she opens an acceptance letter from the Smith School for Children, a preppy boarding school in Connecticut, to which she hadn't even applied. Her mother, on the other hand, is less ignorant of this matter, having decided that her rule-breaking daughter could benefit from a more focused environment. Old habits die hard, however, and Abigail has no problem sneaking out of her dorm or breaking into Headmistress Smith's office on a dare; yet, after a bungled escape attempt, the plucky seventh-grader goes from schoolyard snoop to live bait. Mrs. Smith reveals that the Smith School doubles as a spy school affiliated with the Center, a secret intelligence organization, and they need Abigail's help finding their top agent—her mother. Mind effectively blown, Abigail agrees. An action-filled romp ensues, which first-time author McMullen appropriately outfits with gadgets, close calls, thwarted plans, and a villainous criminal spy group. Abigail's entertaining narration tempers suspense with levity, and readers will have a blast accompanying her through sticky situations. Copyright 2017 Booklist Reviews.

Beth McMullen is the author of the Mrs. Smith&;s Spy School for Girls series; the Lola Benko, Treasure Hunter series; and several adult mysteries. Her books have heroes and bad guys, action and messy situations. An avid reader, she once missed her subway stop and rode the train all the way to Brooklyn because the book she was reading was that good. She lives in Northern California with her family, two cats and a parakeet named Zeus, who is sick of the cats eyeballing him like he&;s dinner. Visit her at BethMcMullenBooks.com.