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showell's review
4.0
Twelve-year-old Hale Jordan has always wanted to grow up to be a superspy like his parents. But while he's inherited their intelligence and resourcefulness, he's inherited none of their physical abilities. His younger sister appears to have gotten all of that.
Hale is completely focused on figuring out how to pass the physical tests to become a junior field agent of the Sub-Rosa Society (SRS). That is, until the day his parents don't come home for dinner.
Hale's parents ALWAYS come home for dinner. Even when they've been sent on one of those super-tough top-secret field missions. Clearly, they're in deep trouble.
But no one in the SRS seems to care. Whatever trouble his parents have gotten themselves into this time, it looks like it will be up to Hale to get them out of it.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a marvelous blend of humor and intrigue, fast-paced action, surprising plot twists, and a modest, yet resourceful hero whose kindness and quick-thinking save the day. Even better, the ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel.
This book is an excellent addition to any middle grade reader's library.
Disclosure: I received a free kindle copy of The Doublecross via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
Hale is completely focused on figuring out how to pass the physical tests to become a junior field agent of the Sub-Rosa Society (SRS). That is, until the day his parents don't come home for dinner.
Hale's parents ALWAYS come home for dinner. Even when they've been sent on one of those super-tough top-secret field missions. Clearly, they're in deep trouble.
But no one in the SRS seems to care. Whatever trouble his parents have gotten themselves into this time, it looks like it will be up to Hale to get them out of it.
I really enjoyed this book. It's a marvelous blend of humor and intrigue, fast-paced action, surprising plot twists, and a modest, yet resourceful hero whose kindness and quick-thinking save the day. Even better, the ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel.
This book is an excellent addition to any middle grade reader's library.
Disclosure: I received a free kindle copy of The Doublecross via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review.
poorashleu's review
3.0
Originally posted here
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
Cute. Cute. Cute. Cute. That is the easiest way to sum up this novel, it is so cute. Everyone in Hale’s family is a spy. It’s the family job and all that he knows. What his family doesn’t expect is him to be fat and made fun of on a daily basis. Part of me wishes that the big boned/fat part would have not been included, but that is in part because I’m personally sick of it being used as a plot device. But, I regress, because this was still an enjoyable novel.
Doublecross is the story of Hale who wants to be a field agent even though everyone tells him he is not meant for the field, as a big boned person. Although Hale isn’t the fastest, he is often the smartest. He uses his wits and smarts to often outthink his classmates which helps him come in first, but not gain many friends in the meantime. Then the worst happens: his parents, who are world famous super spies, disappear. This is understandably, a huge sadness to Hale and his nine-year-old sister who both adore their parents.
What made this story for me was not the plot (although that was helpful) but was the cast of characters. From Hale, to his sister, Kennedy, to Agent Otter, Hale’s personal nemesis, the characters are what made this story work for me. I was constantly flipping the pages because I wanted to know that the characters were going to be okay. Jackson made a fun middle grade novel about a spy school that is extremely relatable for a reader of any age.
heidimrogers's review
5.0
This was a fantastic middle grade spy story. I was laughing hysterically and dying to know how it ended.
froggylibrarian1's review
4.0
Hale has grown up as part of the SRS (Sub Rosa Society). His parents are top agents and he and his sister are in training to become agents themselves. They all live, train, and learn at headquarters. Their nemesis - The League - the bad guys. Hale is training and trying to overcome his big boned body to pass the physical exam when his parents disappear during a mission. Then everything Hale thought he knew about SRS and the League get turned upside down. Now Hale has to figure out what SRS is really up to and get his parents back.
There was some good spy plans and activities, some good twists. and good interaction between the kids. I think the cover makes the book look younger than it is. A fun romp. Looks to be the first in a series - of course but ended well.
There was some good spy plans and activities, some good twists. and good interaction between the kids. I think the cover makes the book look younger than it is. A fun romp. Looks to be the first in a series - of course but ended well.
piperclaire's review
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
scostner's review
4.0
A bit like "Spy Kids" meets A Series of Unfortunate Events, The Doublecross is told from the viewpoint of Hale Jordan (Sounds very similar to Hal Jordan, doesn't it?), whose parents are agents for the Sub Rosa Society, or SRS. Actually, his parents are The Team, the best agents in the agency. But when they go missing on a mission, Hale decides he will find and rescue them. He's convinced The League has them, and sets out to infiltrate enemy headquarters and find where they are holding his parents. No one in the SRS would suspect him of doing such a thing, because he has never been able to pass the physical that would qualify him for duty as a junior agent. What they don't take into consideration is that he has done exceptionally well in all his other classes, and he puts that know-how to practical use. Along with his hyperkinetic sister, Kennedy, new acquaintances Ben and Beatrix, and their Uncle Clatterbuck, Hale will take on an entire evil agency to find out the truth and make it possible to get his parents back safely.
This book has elements of many classic types of stories - spy thriller (complete with nifty gadgets), orphaned or lost children searching for their parents, school story (since some of it does take place in those training classes), and the underdog. What's not to like? Readers who enjoy action, intrigue, and seeing the good guys trying to save the world will be clamoring for more of this series. A wonderful middle grade novel with characters a bit younger than those in the Alex Rider adventures.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
This book has elements of many classic types of stories - spy thriller (complete with nifty gadgets), orphaned or lost children searching for their parents, school story (since some of it does take place in those training classes), and the underdog. What's not to like? Readers who enjoy action, intrigue, and seeing the good guys trying to save the world will be clamoring for more of this series. A wonderful middle grade novel with characters a bit younger than those in the Alex Rider adventures.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
mindybookbear's review
4.0
I liked this book. I loved how the hero isn't what you would think a hero spy should be. Hale gives me hope! I couldn't have passed the physical test either.
tricialprice's review against another edition
3.0
Mark Twain Award nominee 2017-18. Cute spy story about an unlikely spy kid.
natep's review against another edition
4.0
Funny adventure with great characters and a plot twist you won't see coming. Fantastic read. Booktubeathon book with an author whose surname starts with the same letter as yours