Jada Sly, Artist & Spy

by Sherri Winston

Overview

Jada Sly, a hilarious and spunky artist and spy, explores New York City on a mission to find her mom in this "fast paced, fun" illustrated novel from an acclaimed author (School Library Connection).


Ten-year-old Jada Sly is an artist and a spy-in-training. When she isn't studying the art from her idols like Jackie Ormes, the first-known African American cartoonist, she's chronicling her spy training and other observations in her art journal.


Back home in New York City, after living in France for five years, Jada is ready to embark on her first and greatest spy adventure yet. She plans to scour New York City in search of her missing mother, even though everyone thinks her mom died in a plane crash. Except Jada, who is certain her mom was a spy, too.


With the stakes high and danger lurking around every corner, Jada will use one spy technique after another to unlock the mystery of her mother's disappearance — some with hilarious results. After all, she's still learning.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780316505338
Publisher:	Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Publication date:	05/12/2020
Pages:	304
Sales rank:	213,329
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.50(h) x 0.90(d)
Age Range:	8 - 12 Years

About the Author

Sherri Winston is the author of President of the Whole Fifth Grade (a Sunshine State Young Readers Award selection), President of the Whole Sixth Grade (a Kids' Indie Next pick), President of the Whole Sixth Grade: Girl Code, The Sweetest Sound, Jada Sly, Artist & Spy, and The Kayla Chronicles. She lives with her family in Florida.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for Jada Sly, Artist & Spy:"[A] fast-paced, fun novel."—School Library Connection

"In this easygoing, fast-reading narrative, Jada is a determined young spy-in-training who would give an adolescent James Bond a run for his money."—BCCB

"Jada's family history and her interest in art are memorable. A beginner thriller with some real gems in it."—Kirkus Reviews

"Jada Sly: she's smart, she's fun."—School Library Journal

"Winston has created a spunky character in Jada, a fashionable artist and independent girl who isn't afraid to take on a few adults in the search for the truth."—Booklist

From the Publisher

04/01/2019

Gr 3–5—Jada Sly: she's smart, she's fun, she has a fierce new hairdo, and she's about to begin a brand new life with her father in New York City. Her mother, with whom she has been living in Paris, recently perished in a plane crash, or so she's been told. The story unfolds as Jada's making friends at her new school and gathering clues about her mother's death. She deals with her grief and makes observations about the world around her by drawing in her journal. She sees herself as an amateur spy and doesn't believe that her mother is actually dead. She thinks that she keeps seeing both her mother and the same strange men following her throughout the city. In an attempt to discover the truth about her mother, Jada and her friends begin a chase for clues. The reader is unsure throughout most of the story whether Jada is simply a girl grieving her mother's passing, or if her mother is really alive. At times the story is dark and sad, especially when it's implied that Jada may be seeing visions because of grief. An unresolved ending involving a spy ring sets up the title as a series opener. At times, the story is engaging, and Jada and her friends are likeable and authentic. Leaving the truth about her mother unresolved for so much of the story is confusing and sends the plot into the realm of drama rather than mystery/adventure. VERDICT A secondary purchase for collections where middle grade mysteries are in demand.—Pilar Okeson, Severn School, Arnold, MD

School Library Journal