Dirk Daring, Secret Agent

October 20, 2014
Eleven-year-old Darren Dirkowitzâaka Dirk Daring, Secret Agentâis very serious about his spycraft. Becker's (Zoobots) story takes the form of Darren's top-secret journal, which is annotated with doodles and sarcastic notes from his best friend, Travis (code name: T-Bone), who thinks of his buddy less as a super-spy than as "Darren Dirkowitz, fifth-grader and all-around butt." As Becker's story unfolds, Darren teams up Travis and his crush, Opal Vega, to bring junk food back to the school vending machines and remove his "archenemy" stepbrother, Jason Arsenico (code name: Waldo), from the school presidency. The only problem: Jason is threatening to expose Darren's journal, making him "the laughingstock of Preston Middle School" unless Darren spies on Jason's "enemies" for him. Full of wisecracking jokes, shifting alliances, and betrayals, Becker's school-day caper offers a steady stream of surprises and laughs. Darren maintains a deadpan, noir-ish tone ("No one must know of my covert actions. Therefore, I use ultimate discretion and a steady hand to obtain my ink") even when, for instance, he's using his own urine as invisible ink. Ages 8â11.

September 15, 2014
With his double life in danger of exposure, Darren Dirkowitz, aka Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, must complicate his personal life in order to keep his secrets. Darren has always taken great care to keep his identity as a secret agent under wraps. Unfortunately, his one loose end has been discovered: a top-secret journal with all his adventures recorded for posterity. Before he knows it, Darren is at the mercy of his stepbrother (the nefarious and elusive "Waldo"), spying on his best friend and lying to the girl of his dreams. Friendships are strongly tested throughout the novel, which is peppered with imaginative turns of phrase and bursts of energy. The book is an enjoyable and quirky read. The author doesn't go overboard and turn her characters into swirling cartoons: These are real kids behaving with all the creativity and energy one would expect of them. But beneath all the play and humor is a genuine emotional core, exploring the trials and tribulations all friendships endure when moving from elementary school on to junior high. A stunning last-minute twist pushes the book above and beyond. A clever romp that's enhanced, not lessened, by its message. (Fiction. 8-12)

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October 1, 2014

Gr 3-5-Even a trip to the grocery store to buy hamburger buns can become a super, secret spy mission when you're Dirk Daring, secret agent (a.k.a. Darren Dirkowitz). Darren is a somewhat geeky kid who practices ninja-like stealth skills and keeps a spy notebook detailing his numerous missions. When he is blackmailed by his stepbrother into using his skills for evil, things quickly spiral out of control. Soon, everyone in Darren's middle school circle of friends is involved in an ugly game of spying, counter spying, backstabbing, and revenge. It's only when Darren realizes that everyone's strengths are needed to help defeat a larger evil that order is restored at the school and a new batch of secret agents is born. Excerpts from Darren's spy notebook are amusing and give insight into characters. Dirk Daring, Secret Agent is a quick, enjoyable read with plenty of potty humor to reel in reluctant readers.-Kelly Roth, Bartow County Public Library, Cartersville, GA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

October 1, 2014
Grades 4-8 Seemingly mild-mannered middle-school student Darren Dirkowitz has an alter ego, special agent Dirk Daring. Dirk's heightened senses and sleuthing skills help Darren navigate typical middle-school perils, including bullies, school administrators, and girls. Both of their lives are turned upside-down when Darren's evil stepbrother steals a notebook detailing Dirk's exploits and threatens to show it to the entire school, which is just the first in a series of mishaps. Darren tries to muddle through, but when his notebook is read over the PA system and he suspects he's been betrayed by his best friend Travis, the resulting fistfight brings a three-day suspension. Things seem hopeless, but upon his reinstatement all is resolved. Darren's misbehavior is attributed to a diagnosis of learning disabilities, and the boys' relationship and Dirk's career are both salvaged. The nonstop action, evolving plot, fleshed-out characters, gross-out jokes, intermittent cartoonish illustrations, and overarching themes of friendship and self-discovery should resonate with middle-school readers. Recommend this to fans of Sammy Keyes and Hunter Moran.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)