Eat, Read, and Be Mommy

It’s official, folks–I finished my second-to-last Battle of the Books book (if only adults could be on teams, right?!). Last night I finished reading Spy School: The Graphic Novel, which my youngest daughter is going to POUNCE on as soon as I finish this review and make it available to her. (We’ve had the same two left for the last few weeks, and since we’re reading the one together, she’s especially antsy for the other one.) Normally I wouldn’t read the graphic novel version of a book that was originally published as a regular novel–at least, not before I read the regular version–but needs must. (I’ll have to see if the regular version is available in audio, but I probably want to wait a bit first; if the details are too fresh in my mind it’s going to feel awfully repetitive.)

At any rate. Spy School GN is a fast read with more popular appeal than serious depth; I’d hand it to a reluctant reader and/or almost any middle grader (except, perhaps, for my son, who isn’t much of a graphic novel fan). In it we have Ben Ripley getting picked to attend the CIA’s Academy of Espionage, albeit under somewhat different circumstances than he is lead to believe. Once there, he tumbles headlong into a jumble of training and real-life spy experiences, with Erica Hale (descendent of Nathan) as his mentor-of-sorts. He’s half bumbler, half walk-on success story, and the action moves swiftly. I had some trouble with the art–as in, I had trouble telling certain characters apart, which was not ideal–but overall Spy School GN is fun, action-packed, and accessible for a wide range of readers. Fluffy, but not romance fluffy, you know? It’s more like a potato chip–not much there from a nutritional standpoint, but a satisfying eating experience while it lasts.

We’ll see what my daughter thinks. In the meantime, I have to decide whether I want to continue with the graphic novels or go with the regular versions. Decisions, decisions…