[I received a free electronic review copy of this book from Netgalley and Random House Books for Young Readers in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.]
Summary
Olive is surprised when her parents’ latest business trip lands her at a boarding school called RASCH. Usually they treat her like she’s invisible. But her grandmother used to watch her, and now that she’s gone, they seem to have noticed that Olive has to go somewhere.
RASCH is more than it appears to outsiders, though. Olive discovers that it is secretly training kid operatives to help with secret missions. Olive and her new friends are going to track down a jewel thief called the Bling King.
But some bungled missions leave RASCH at risk of closure and Olive wondering if there’s any way to save a place that was starting to feel like home.
Review
I loved this journey for Olive! Reading how invisible she felt at home and at her original school was painful. I loved seeing her find her place – and her people – at RASCH.
There’s something of a sub-genre of middle grade novels about kid spies – Gallagher Girls, Spy School, Charlie Thorne, Kid Normal, etc.. I really enjoy stories like this. This one made me think strongly of Michael Buckley’s NERDS series from when my son was a kid. This has a similar vibe in both the gadgets and in the way the team comes together.
Dan Santat provides illustrations and cover art for the book. Final illustrations weren’t available in my review copy, but I don’t think you can go wrong with Dan Santat when it comes to art. I expect the illustrations will add a lot to this. Kids who enjoy mysteries and/or kid-spy stories will enjoy this series starter. Between the author, the illustrator, and the spy angle, this will be a staple for school classrooms and community libraries.
Rating: ♥♥♥½*
*♥♥♥½ = Good +