Big Book of Spy Stuff

( 15 )

Overview

The secret to success?

Know ALL the secrets!

é Learn how to escape tricycle-riding assassins.

é Find out why you can trust women more than men.

é Discover how squirrels can deliver top-secret messages.

é Learn the keys to tricking enemy agents (and other pesky adults!).

é Create a disguise that renders you invisible in a crowd of two.

Pssst . . . have you heard what reviewers...

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The Big Book of Spy Stuff

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More About This Book

Overview

The secret to success?

Know ALL the secrets!

é Learn how to escape tricycle-riding assassins.

é Find out why you can trust women more than men.

é Discover how squirrels can deliver top-secret messages.

é Learn the keys to tricking enemy agents (and other pesky adults!).

é Create a disguise that renders you invisible in a crowd of two.

Pssst . . . have you heard what reviewers are saying?

THE BIG BOOK OF GROSS STUFF

"Rating: A" -PBS "Laugh-out-loud funny." -School Library Journal

THE BIG BOOK OF BOY STUFF

"Highly creative, informative, and fun." -School Library Journal "Genuinely funny." -Publishers Weekly

THE BIG BOOK OF GIRL STUFF

"Highly recommended." -Children's Literature "A must-have for preteen girls." -Parenting magazine

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Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly
This lightly illustrated, tongue-in-cheek guide to espionage (part of the Big Book series) explores a broad swathe of spy-related topics—everything from eavesdropping and code breaking to cyber-warfare and spreading misinformation—while referring to historical (and recent) spies and spy operations. King includes topics like assassination, but keeps the tone light ("Some villains are so mean, their assassination seems only fair"). Amusing anecdotes, such as when Madeleine Albright wore a bright bug pin for a meeting with the Russians (to inform them that she knew of the bugs they'd placed in State Department offices), should entertain while giving readers a sense of how espionage works in the real world. Ages 8–up. (Mar.)
School Library Journal
Gr 4–8—This primer is long, but the margins are wide and the type is large. Chapters cover everything from serious topics like high-tech espionage and surveillance to sillier subjects such as the best (and worst) secret names ever, the best-dressed agents, and everything in between. There is even a chapter on animal spies. Ancient and current (to 2010) techniques are explained. A humorous, chatty tone is maintained throughout; it's slightly more Get Smart than James Bond. Black-and-white cartoons add even more humor. A terminology list is included, as is an extensive bibliography. Unfortunately, there is no index. While the jokey tone can wear thin, this is a helpful introduction for future secret agents, especially those who will appreciate the author's sense of humor.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Children's Literature - Mary Quattlebaum
My family and I are fans of Bart King's other books, especially The Big Book of Girl Stuff and The Pocket Guide to Magic. King always brings witty energy to his how-to advice and information. The result: well-researched, wacky compendiums over which kids love to pore. With the International Spy Museum located in our nation's fair capital, King's most recent offering, The Big Book of Spy Stuff, makes for an especially enthralling read for local youngsters (and tourists). King 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. Occasional black-and-white illustrations by Russell Miller add to the fun. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum
School Library Journal
Gr 4–8—This primer is long, but the margins are wide and the type is large. Chapters cover everything from serious topics like high-tech espionage and surveillance to sillier subjects such as the best (and worst) secret names ever, the best-dressed agents, and everything in between. There is even a chapter on animal spies. Ancient and current (to 2010) techniques are explained. A humorous, chatty tone is maintained throughout; it's slightly more Get Smart than James Bond. Black-and-white cartoons add even more humor. A terminology list is included, as is an extensive bibliography. Unfortunately, there is no index. While the jokey tone can wear thin, this is a helpful introduction for future secret agents, especially those who will appreciate the author's sense of humor.—Anne Chapman Callaghan, Racine Public Library, WI
Read More Show Less

Product Details

  • ISBN-13: 9781423618744
  • Publisher: Smith, Gibbs Publisher
  • Publication date: 3/1/2011
  • Pages: 304
  • Sales rank: 226,903
  • Age range: 8 - 11 Years
  • Product dimensions: 6.70 (w) x 9.60 (h) x 1.20 (d)

Read an Excerpt

Why Spy?

But cool sunglasses alone don't explain spying. The fact is that every nation wants to protect its borders and its citizens. Here are three ways nations can do this:

1. Make treaties with other countries.

2. Have a military.

3. Spy!

While I don't know for certain that cave people used spies, ancient civilizations did. For example, Greek mythology had the story of the demigod named Prometheus (pro-MEETH-ee-us). He stole secret technology (namely, fire) from the head god, Zeus (zoos). Then Prometheus gave this classified information to the humans. Finally, after getting caught, Prometheus was sentenced to having his liver eaten by an eagle. Just like spies today.

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Table of Contents

Danger Is My Nickname 6

"Ethical Issues"? What Are Those? 12

High-Tech Espionage! 21

Secret Agent Tool Kits & Self-Defense! 33

Espionage & Communication 50

Dishonesty-It's the Best Spy Policy 63

Eavesdropping! 72

Surveillance 80

Disguises, Alibis & Covers 93

Animal Spies 109

Sneaking, Following & Escaping! 123

Operation Mincemeat: Based on a False Story 135

Misinformation 138

Sabotage & Assassination? 144

Secret Messages & Code-Breaking 165

Spymasters 178

Keeping Secrets Secret! 185

The Best (and Worst!) Secret Names Ever 192

Spy-Catching and Lie-Detecting 201

The Best-Dressed Agents 226

Famous (& Infamous) Spies 234

The 12 Types of Spy Screw-Ups 248

Weird Assignments 263

Becoming a Pro 278

Agencies! 287

Terminology! 298

Selected Bibliography 300

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Customer Reviews

Average Rating 4
( 15 )
Rating Distribution

5 Star

(10)

4 Star

(2)

3 Star

(1)

2 Star

(0)

1 Star

(2)

Your Rating:

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Sort by: Showing all of 15 Customer Reviews

  • Posted May 4, 2011

    Non-Stop Entertainment!

    The Big Book of Spy Stuff is excellent, which is sort of amazing considering the age group it targets. But Bart King knows how to hold the attention of a 9-12 year old.

    This really is a BIG book, but King breaks up the wordage into bite-sized pieces with humor that will encourage this age to grasp reading something that requires a little endurance. Precocious readers will gobble it up, twelve year olds will get hooked, and older kids will be amused as well.

    And did I mention that it's really, really funny?

    5 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 22, 2011

    Fun To Read!

    His Books Are Written In A Way That Keeps Your Attention,I cannot say I have read a Book That was This Interesting in a long time!

    2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 26, 2013

    Lol

    Love it me myself and i

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 24, 2013

    Good to read but isn't the best.

    Three stars. Sorry

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted March 16, 2013

    Yo

    Awesome take my word for it.

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted February 23, 2013

    Fhhhm

    Read bout 999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999999thousand times

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted January 28, 2013

    Cute

    Very cute and fun to read but goes on to long and can babble a lot.

    0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 29, 2012

    Click or tap here

    This is a good read but doesnt get into the subject well mainly tells stories annd jokes about spying the book needs to actualy teach people how to spy and im a big fan of bart king but this is not his best work overall im dissapointed about him not getting into the subject but good read

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 24, 2012

    Mrs. Terry-Us

    Luved this book. I want to read and reread the book til its memorized! Highly recomended!!! (Barrow for free at library)

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  • Anonymous

    Posted January 23, 2012

    Awesome!

    This tought me everything I needed to know and it's also funny

    Was this review helpful? Yes  NoThank you for your feedback.   Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.

  • Anonymous

    Posted April 12, 2011

    spy stuff?! i like cheez.

    the big books if girl and boy stuff waz enough. now spy stuff?! CHEEZ!!!!

    0 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

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  • Anonymous

    Posted May 4, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

  • Anonymous

    Posted December 15, 2011

    No text was provided for this review.

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    Posted January 2, 2012

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    Posted May 4, 2011

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