Combines Alex Rider's espionage skills with a huge dose of the sarcasm of Artemis Fowl. -School Library Journal Can an undercover nerd become a superstar agent In the first book in the New York Times bestselling Spy School series, Ben Ripley sure hopes so-and his life may depend on it Ben Ripley may only be in middle school, but he's already pegged his dream job- Cia or bust. Unfortunately for him, his personality doesn't exactly scream secret agent. In fact, Ben is so awkward, he can barely get to school and back without a mishap. Because of his innate nerdiness, Ben is not surprised when he is recruited for a magnet school with a focus on science-but he's entirely shocked to discover that the school is actually a front for a junior Cia academy.