The Spy Next Door: Mutant Rat Attack by Jay Cooper (review)

Dexter wants to be a spy, and he gets his chance when his science teacher goes from amateur rat-fart researcher to full-on mad scientist. A mishap (or was it?) with a skateboard lands Dexter in a secret spy agency, run by Big K, a tough kid who wears an eye patch and isn’t afraid to speak her mind. Off Dexter goes with his new high-tech skateboard to stop the giant rampaging (gassy) rat and save the principal kidnapped by the villainous rodent. It’s a nice point here that Dexter is an unassuming, background sort of kid and therefore actually perfect for spy work; Big K reinforces the notion that flashy heroics might work for superheroes, but they are terrible for blending in (while cool tech gadgets bring a touch of supercharged action). It’s not quite clear if this wants to be a book about farting (a key feature in both the text and the zany illustrations), spies, wacky schools, or a mashup, but the end result is kinetic and frenetic, if slightly muddled, fun. Dav Pilkey fans, of course, will find many things to appreciate here, and budding spies will find enough detective work to keep them interested.