LIAR & SPY

Stead, R. (2013). Liar & spy. New York: Yearling.

This Brooklyn set story is middle grade book’s whose protagonist is only child Georges.  After the eighth-grader’s father is father is fired the family downgrades from a house to an apartment.  His mother tries to see the silver lining in this move by saying that at least now his father can pursue his dream of owning his business; Georges is not truly sold on this reasoning especially since he sees his mom working double-shifts at the hospital and most days the only way he is able to communicate with her is through a running Scrabble tile conversation.

Georges’ transition into his new life is helped when he meets his neighbor Safer.  Safer and his sister Candy are home-schooled and their schooling is a direct contrast to Georges’ more traditional one. Safer convinces Georges to join his spy club after the latter’s dad inadvertently sets up their initial meeting.  

The spies focus on the mysterious Mr. X, who lives above Georges family’s apartment.  Mr. X, dresses exclusively in black and is always carrying suitcases in and out of his apartment.  Spying on his “furtive” neighbor serves to help Georges not focus on the bullying he faces at school. The spying, however, soon becomes an obsession for Safer and Georges gradually feels uncomfortable with him and what they are doing.  He must also learn to deal with Safer’s increasingly controlling and manipulative ways.  

The book makes many twists and takes a few unexpected turns but it does not take itself too seriously.  Stead tempers some of the heavier themes with humor.  Her opening lines are a perfect example of this juxtaposition:

"It's Friday afternoon, last period. Gym. Ms. Warner and I have done our Friday high five. We do it every week, because I hate school and she hates work, and we both live for Friday.”

Teachers will find this a valuable book to use in a novel study because it deals with complexities of friendship and the value of loyalty and bravery.  Students will find value in the book because Stead does not hit her readers over the head with these themes.  Instead, her tightly written story (it’s only 180 pages long!) will capture their attention.