How I Became a Spy

Author Deborah Hopkinson

Grades 3-7 Ages 8-12

From the award-winning author of The Great Trouble comes a story of espionage, survival, and friendship during World War II

Bertie Bradshaw never set out to become a spy. He never imagined traipsing around war-torn London, solving ciphers, practicing surveillance, and searching for a traitor to the Allied forces. He certainly never expected that a strong-willed American girl named Eleanor would play Watson to his Holmes (or Holmes to his Watson, depending on who you ask).

But when a young woman goes missing, leaving behind a coded notebook, Bertie is determined to solve the mystery. With the help of Eleanor and his friend David, a Jewish refugee--and, of course, his trusty pup, Little Roo--Bertie must decipher the notebook in time to stop a double agent from spilling the biggest secret of all to the Nazis.

From the author of The Great Trouble, this suspenseful WWII adventure reminds us that times of war call for bravery, brains and teamwork from even the most unlikely heroes.

Available Formats

Trade Paperback 9780399557095
Hardcover 9780399557064
eBook 9780399557088

State Awards

Florida

2020-2021, Sunshine State Young Readers Award, Nominee

Oregon

2020, Leslie Bradshaw Award, Nominee

Random House Children's Books Teachers and Librarians