THE INSIDE JOB

After leaving the evil spy organization they were raised in, 12-year-old Hale and his younger sister, Kennedy, are determined to bring down the nefarious Sub Rosa Society, find their MIA parents, and save the world.

The siblings join up with the remaining members of the League, a once-great counterspy organization. The group decides that the best way to hit SRS is financially, which means a trip to Switzerland. While the group of misfits may be short on manpower and funding, they are long on creativity and heart. Beatrix and Ben handle the tech and the gear, while their uncle Stan is in charge of outfitting everyone. Fellow former SRS members Walter and Agent Otter (he and Stan are the nominal grown-ups) round out the crew. But while Hale loves not being the butt of everyone’s fat jokes anymore, he still misses his old life at the SRS headquarters. Hale is not the typical chiseled spy but rather a short, round, slightly neurotic, and supersmart hero with complicated feelings and a kind heart. (Judging by the cover illustration and the absence of cues to the contrary in the text, Hale and the others are likely white.) Issues such as body image, belonging, and loss are handled with a light touch. This sequel will continue to thrill fans of the series.

Wacky and action-packed.