What to Read Next: For Fans of Stuart Gibbs

Twisty, Funny Reads with a Side of Spycraft

My 12 year old son has been a huge Stuart Gibbs fan and while it's great that he is quite a prolific author, we still need new reads between the latest Spy School and FunJungle releases. If your kid is like mine and likes a lough-out-loud caper, we’ve got you covered. These stories have the same mix of slapstick fun, big mysteries, and seriously smart kids figuring it all out.

City Spies by James Ponti

Here's what we love about the City Spies series: a diverse, international team of kid agents, real spy missions in real places, and fast-paced page turners that offer plenty of relationship building, humor and hijinks!

Framed! by James Ponti

(yep, again!) Ponti has the formula, like Stuart Gibbs, when it comes to crafting immersive narratives that kids love. Here's what you can expect: A logic-loving sixth grader a la Sherlock Holmes with tackles crimes that have ties into FBI-level crimes, but it still feels like a middle school mystery. Funny and accessible, even when the plot gets twisty

The Parker Inheritance by Varian Johnson

If your reader is into history, this is an excellent selection. The mystery is rooted in the past, and features powerful themes of justice and friendship. A little heavier than some of the others on this list but still totally accessible to middle grade readers.

The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart

I love these quirky geniuses solving high-stakes mysteries. This series has fast become a classic, and for good reason. Secret missions are always a crown pleaser. Plus a mysterious school and a writer who trusts kids to solve big problems, something that will really appeal to the young reader who is ready to be treated to more responsibility in their own life.

The Greystone Secrets by Margaret Peterson Haddix

It's a family affair when the Greystone kids uncover a government conspiracy. This one offers a nice entry into sci-fi for kids who haven't ventured into that genre quite yet, with alternative worlds and mistaken identities. Plot twists galore, humor will still ensue.

Ronan Boyle and the Bridge of Riddles by Thomas Lennon

If your reader is up for a totally wacky adventure with a side of fantasy and a ton of laughs, you can confidently turn to the Ronan Boyle series. Ronan skews a little older (his is 14-15 depending on the book), and his mysteries are wrapped up adventures with the wee folk of Ireland. Expect laughs but also a lot of heart.

Mission accomplished? Perhaps for today at least...

If your reader is craving clever stories, relatable heroes, and a good laugh while saving the day, this list should keep them hooked.

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