So You Want to Be a Spy (Intelligence Agent)
Linda Soules
Linda Colwell (2026)
ISBN: 978-1972766071
Reviewed by Jessica Dickenson for Reader Views (07/2026)
Take every spy novel or news article you’ve ever read and break down all the detailed information about how intelligence agents live, work, and conduct business in an easily accessible book made for middle-grade students. It sounds like it would be a challenge, yet that is exactly what Linda Soules does in her book, So You Want to Be a Spy (Intelligence Agent).
It would be easy to glamorize the role of the secret intelligence agent, but Soules does a good job ensuring that young readers get a complete picture of what an actual role as a spy could look like. Of course, there is mention of secret drops, disguises, and double lives, but there is an equal measure of desk work, study, and intense analysis. While she makes the role sound exciting (which it certainly is!) Soules also understands that young readers aren’t naïve. She carefully portrays what an actual career could potentially look like for someone interested in the role.
Soules doesn’t just stop at career descriptions. She draws on the examples of real famous spies like Virginia Hall, Noor Inayat Khan, Harriet Tubman, and Juan Pujol Garcia for readers to delve into for deeper reading. Their stories may seem unbelievable at times, but what makes these people truly remarkable is their intelligence, tenacity, and curiosity to explore- something that Soules encourages in her readers.
While a potential career may still be decades away, Soules provides tangible steps for readers to pursue a job as an intelligence agent down the line. She encourages interested students to train, question everything, and learn as much as possible, among other things.
If you or your child has ever been obsessed with books like the Dangerous Books for Boys and Girls, created a secret code, or if you are a “kid who ever noticed what everyone else walked right past,” So You Want to Be a Spy is a book you want to read. In fact, Linda Soules has created an entire line, the So You Want to Be a… series, to help children explore unique and fascinating careers. The series currently has 49 titles for readers to discover.
At a Glance:
A middle grade nonfiction career guide that explores what it really takes to become an intelligence agent. It explains spy work through real historical examples, practical skills, and everyday responsibilities, balancing exciting missions with research, analysis, and critical thinking.
Best for Readers Who Enjoy:
middle grade nonfiction, spy books for kids, intelligence agencies, secret codes, STEM careers, history through real people, curious readers, career exploration, critical thinking, educational nonfiction