The thing most Christian parents will want to know first about this book actually comes in the most recent title in this long-running series (Spy School Goes North, the 11th book!). This is the newest in a long list of book series, and not even the first series from this author, that has decided in the latest edition to introduce a gay character or theme. In this case the latest book actually takes a beloved character that is in the series from the very start (Zoe) and begins to unveil an attraction to another female character. We plan to review this title in detail, but it is good to know at the outset that this is present.

As for this title, it is mostly on par with a title from this author, and certainly has its share of concerning content. There is plenty left to be desired from several characters including the main character, an unfortunate trend we are seeing more and more. He begins his pre-spy-school life talking about his “mundane existence”. He is dragged out of bed and bored in class. He stares at girls, falls asleep in math, spikes the bully’s drink with a laxative. He is more than willing to lie and does this to his parents and friends throughout (this is to keep his spy school secret safe). At one point he remarks that the great thing about texting is that no one can tell when you are lying. He brags to his friend about a female agent sneaking into his room at night to avoid surveillance, making it seem like she was there for different reasons.

Another character is a lazy slob. He teaches that cheating is encouraged at the school, but getting caught is looked down on. Even better is to get someone else to do your dirty work. Hey tells our main character that “there is a lot of hotness, girl-wise” and suggests a class titled, “Intro to seducing your enemy” to which he adds, “I actually did my homework in that one”. He tells of an agent who now has “a hot French girlfriend”.

There is an ongoing storyline where the government, but especially the CIA leadership are seen as clueless. For example, a character says, “The people who run the CIA might be incompetent, paranoid and borderline insane, but they aren’t psychotic”. There is also a place in the book, probably not a surprise to people who have read any of the Funjungle series, where a character goes off about America related to “coups we funded in the 3rd world, useless wars we waged, environmental degradation we caused”. Related to this, the main character comments about someone who had a complete lack of respect for authority, adding that he was starting to believe that was a pretty healthy belief system.

There are references to James Bond and Rambo. There is a scattering of other unfortunate comments. When he tells his friend he is going to science academy, to cover for the secret spy school, his friend replies, “why don’t you just get loser tattooed on your forehead?” Later the same friend references “science dork girls”. A professor is said to sometimes disguise themselves as a woman (for spy missions).

There are occurrences (in several cases repeated multiple times) of jerk, dork, damn, ass, moronic, loser, hellholes, idiocy, morons, windbag, idiot and martini. At one point a female character says to “keep your panties on Alice” (meaning slowdown). Finally, at one point to try and intentionally get in trouble, the main character sends a round of rude insults to the principal.