[This book] is a great tool for the spy enthusiast in your home… Although the work of spies is interesting to kids, talking about it could be very dry... Bart King does a great job combining facts all within a story-like setting. My 7-year old son really liked the true spy tricks… I can see the wheels turning in my son's head, plotting his next mission and how to ensnare his sisters… I can see this book getting well worn by all my kids as their interest in secrets and spies changes and grows.
1.) Obtain mini-van.
2.) Decorate the front end with a wolf howling at a full moon.
3.) Be the envy of the Wal-Mart parking lot.
“Nothing says, ‘I'm in mini-van denial’ like a PT Cruiser. And nothing says badassery like a PT Cruiser with airbrushed wolves.”—Cole Gamble
King always brings witty energy to his how-to advice and information. The result: well-researched, wacky compendiums that kids love to pore over . . .
King’s most recent offering, The Big Book of Spy Stuff, makes for an especially enthralling read . . . [He] covers espionage, ethical issues, secret messages and spymasters, and chapter titles such as “The 12 Types of Spy Screw-ups,” “Weird Assignments” and “Becoming a Pro” can only hint at the cool (and sometimes goofy) facts in store.
Just an example: the chapter on animal spies reveals a CIA mission to float a robotic catfish, describes the use of glowworms in World War I missions and shows how to “train” your dog or hamster to be an undercover operative.
