Dirk Daring, Secret Agent

Gr 3–5—Even a trip to the grocery store to buy hamburger buns can become a super, secret spy mission when you're Dirk Daring, secret agent (a.k.a. Darren Dirkowitz). Darren is a somewhat geeky kid who practices ninja-like stealth skills and keeps a spy notebook detailing his numerous missions. When he is blackmailed by his stepbrother into using his skills for evil, things quickly spiral out of control. Soon, everyone in Darren's middle school circle of friends is involved in an ugly game of spying, counter spying, backstabbing, and revenge. It's only when Darren realizes that everyone's strengths are needed to help defeat a larger evil that order is restored at the school and a new batch of secret agents is born. Excerpts from Darren's spy notebook are amusing and give insight into characters. Dirk Daring, Secret Agent is a quick, enjoyable read with plenty of potty humor to reel in reluctant readers.—Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA