Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop (Spy Goddess)

From School Library Journal
Grade 7-10–Rachel Buchanan, 15, is Blackthorn Academy's newest student. Arrested in California for grand theft auto, the wealthy teen is sent to this Pennsylvania boarding school to avoid a sentence in juvenile detention. It is here that Rachel's life changes forever. Blackthorn Academy is no ordinary boarding school, and Jonathon Kim is no ordinary headmaster. Rachel's penchant for discovering the truth leads her unwittingly into her first mission–to save the Book of Seraphim–and ultimately to uncover Kim's secret. A former FBI special agent, the headmaster runs a covert operation through the school to protect the world from Simon Blankenship, another former Special Forces agent who believes he is the mythical underworld god, Mithras, reborn and destined to rule the world. Although the characters are not terribly complex and the plot is fairly far-fetched, the book is an entertaining page-turner. Spradlin captures the perfect teenage voice in his protagonist; she is more than just a spoiled, fashion-conscious teen from Beverly Hills–she is the Spy Goddess–witty and smart with an edge. Overall, this is an intelligent, exciting mystery that will have broad appeal.–Leigh Ann Morlock, formerly at Vernonia School District, OR

From Booklist
Gr. 6-9. Someone has stolen the Book of the Seraphim, and legend has it that the second coming of Mithras is near. Fifteen-year-old Rachel Buchanan, an unenthusiastic student at Blackthorn School, wouldn't care except that her class recently visited the museum that houses the artifact, and she overheard her headmaster talking urgently to an FBI agent. Something is up, and Rachel isn't one to sit by without investigating. When Headmaster Kim disappears, Rachel is the only person with enough information to rescue him. Boys as well as girls will be attracted to this first book in a proposed series, and they'll eagerly follow Rachel's adventures, similar in feel to Alex Ryder's, but more about solving puzzles than using gadgetry. Cindy Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Book Description

I was never a delinquent.

Not really.

I'm just misunderstood.

Of course, that's not how the judge saw it.

That's how I wound up at freaky Blackthorn Academy. Talk about boring. There isn't even a mall nearby. I mean, what did they expect a girl from Beverly Hills to do?

Also, from the start I could tell there was something really weird about Blackthorn:

The headmaster, Mr. Kim, knew way too much about me.

The class schedule features Intro to Code Theory and Microelectronics.

A whole section of the school is off-limits.

Then the FBI showed up ... and Mr. Kim disappeared.

ANNOTATION

Beverly Hills teenager Rachel Buchanan gets in trouble with the law and winds up at mysterious Blackthorn Academy in Pennsylvania, where she uncovers secrets about the school and becomes entangled in a case of international espionage.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

About the Author:

Michael P. Spradlin's first book for children was the Legend of Blue Jacket, which School Library Journal called "a well researched labor of love, beautifully and accurately illustrated."

In winter of 2005, look for his first novel for Young Readers, Spy Goddess, Book One: Live and Let Shop.

Michael P. Spradlin lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael and daughter Rachel.

FROM THE CRITICS

School Library Journal

Gr 7-10-Rachel Buchanan, 15, is Blackthorn Academy's newest student. Arrested in California for grand theft auto, the wealthy teen is sent to this Pennsylvania boarding school to avoid a sentence in juvenile detention. It is here that Rachel's life changes forever. Blackthorn Academy is no ordinary boarding school, and Jonathon Kim is no ordinary headmaster. Rachel's penchant for discovering the truth leads her unwittingly into her first mission-to save the Book of Seraphim-and ultimately to uncover Kim's secret. A former FBI special agent, the headmaster runs a covert operation through the school to protect the world from Simon Blankenship, another former Special Forces agent who believes he is the mythical underworld god, Mithras, reborn and destined to rule the world. Although the characters are not terribly complex and the plot is fairly far-fetched, the book is an entertaining page-turner. Spradlin captures the perfect teenage voice in his protagonist; she is more than just a spoiled, fashion-conscious teen from Beverly Hills-she is the Spy Goddess-witty and smart with an edge. Overall, this is an intelligent, exciting mystery that will have broad appeal.-Leigh Ann Morlock, formerly at Vernonia School District, OR Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews