City Spies Series by James Ponte

Fun and engaging, the middle grades-level City Spies series is like Mission Impossible with teenagers.

City Spies Series by James Ponti. Aladdin.

• Reading Level: Middle grades, ages 10-12
• Recommended For: Ages 10-15

The City Spies series features a band of orphaned or abandoned teens from around the world who each have a special skill set that makes them valuable as spies. That’s right: teen spies. They’re able to go undercover in places where an adult spy would be noticed. Their leader, “Mother” (who is a man, but the name fits in the circumstances!) supervises them, parents them, and trains them. Only a very few adults know of this covert MI6 operation, but their track record is top notch. You might say, “Mission … Possible.”

City Spies (2020) and Golden Gate (2021)

Readers meet Sara, the newest addition to the group, in book 1. We also learn that this group of teenagers who live at a super-scientific weather research station in Scotland are not actually studying the weather. Sara is called Brooklyn because she was recruited in New York City, and much of the first book takes place in both Brooklyn and in Scotland. Each of her new team members are also called by the cities from which they came, such as Sydney, who hails from Australia. Brooklyn’s special skill set includes massive computer skills, so she quickly proves herself indispensable to the team.

In the second book, the team has headed to San Francisco. We covered these first two books in an earlier review, but by the end of them, readers know that Mother has two real-life children and an estranged wife who are also undercover.

Forbidden City (2023)

In Forbidden City, the City Spies team is tasked with protecting a North Korean man who might be ready to defect. Paris, an avid chess player, is going to infiltrate a teen chess tournament while Sydney infiltrates a wealthy business tycoon’s family, posing as a magazine correspondent who will travel with the man’s daughter. Boy band heartthrobs, chess, fashion, and Soviet-esque intrigue keep this volume hopping.

City of the Dead (2024)

The City Spies team is headed to Egypt, hot on the trail of vicious cyber attackers. Kat (from Kathmandu) shines in this volume since she is the resident code-breaking expert on the team. The British Museum and Egyptian artifacts are involved, and Cairo must prove his worth to the team. His code name reflects his knowledge of Cairo, which of course is super convenient for a team trying to keep up with the bad guys in that city! But Cairo also happens to be Mother’s actual son and he still has contact with his rogue mother. Tensions are high and the team must decide who they really trust.

Mission Manhattan (2025)

It’s back to the United States as the team is on a mission to protect a young climate activist. She hails from Brazil, so Rio takes point in this novel. But it’s Brooklyn’s knowledge of the New York Public Library and all things New York that provide solid backup, especially since Mother has been called in a different direction! Can the young spy team complete their mission on their own? Do they need to call for higher up reinforcements?

London Calling (2025)

As the series has progressed, readers meet more and more of the adult members of MI6. We also learn more of the backstory behind Mother, Cairo, and the rest of the family. In London Calling, Mother’s daughter is in trouble, and the team is desperate to find her. Cairo must prove himself worthy of trust and choose his side as the team wonders where his loyalties lie. And his sister, once found, also must decide whether she wants any part of this band of spies… or would rather lead a normal life. And just what is Mother’s wife playing at? Can they trust her? Is she a true double agent, or even a triple agent?

City Spies Series as a Whole

We can only speak for the first 6 volumes since those are all that are available as of this review date (and we have read them all). But the series is lively, full of international intrigue and spy missions the likes of which most young teens would jump at. Characters are ethnically/culturally diverse but they are equally diverse in their personalities and skill sets. Like so many great series for middle grades, this series shows kids learning to get along with those different from them, learning to embrace their own unique gifts and identities, and learning what real teamwork looks like in the midst. Because each volume takes place in different cities around the globe, readers will also enjoy glimpses of international culture. Fast-paced plots make these books quick and engaging reads. If you have Mission Impossible fans in your house, definitely give these a try.

Bottom Line: Look for the City Spies books at your local library; you might want to read these along with your kids because they appeal to a broad age range.

Recommended Reading at Redeemed Reader

• Book Review: The Sherlock Society by James Ponti is another promising series start.
• Book Review: The Mysterious Benedict Society books are a similarly engaging read for this age group.
• Book Review: Swimming with Spies keeps the spy theme, but takes a more serious approach in a historical fiction novel for middle grades.

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