The City Spies are back; this time, the stakes are higher than ever! City Spies: London Calling, the sixth installment in James Ponti’s bestselling City Spies series, is another pulse-pounding adventure packed with espionage, daring rescues, and global intrigue. If you love Stuart Gibbs' Spy School or James Ponti’s Charlie Thorne series, then this is a must-read!
Published by Aladdin and set to release on February 4, 2025, London Calling takes young readers on an international thrill ride filled with action, friendship, and clever spy tactics. With a global film adaptation in the works from Amazon MGM Studios, this series is more exciting than ever!
Title: City Spies: London Calling
Author: James Ponti
Publisher: Aladdin
Release Date: February 4, 2025
Formats: eBook, Hardcover, Audio, CD
Synopsis:
In this sixth installment in the New York Times bestselling series from Edgar Award winner James Ponti, the young group of spies stages a rescue in Rome in another international adventure perfect for fans of Spy School and Charlie Thorne.
Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, takes the lead when his sister disappears in Istanbul. Determined to save the family of one of their own, the team risks discovery as their search leads them to Rome. Meanwhile, there’s been intel that seems to threaten the royal wedding about to take place in Westminster, bringing the team back to the UK on an official case for MI6. With so much security all over the city, it’s harder than ever for the City Spies to go unnoticed. Will their skills be up to the task?
My Review
The newest City Spies recruit, Cairo, takes center stage when his sister mysteriously vanishes in Istanbul. Determined to save her, the team embarks on a risky mission that leads them to Rome, where danger lurks at every turn. But their troubles don’t end there—intelligence suggests a major threat to an upcoming royal wedding in Westminster, pulling them back to London for an official MI6 operation.
With heightened security all over the city, staying undercover becomes a challenge like never before. Can the City Spies outmaneuver their enemies, protect Cairo’s family, and prevent a national catastrophe—all without blowing their cover?
What Makes London Calling So Exciting?
✅ Fast-Paced Action & Suspense – Ponti is a master at crafting thrilling, high-energy plots. From chase scenes in Rome to covert ops in London, there’s never a dull moment.
✅ Realistic & Fun Characters – The City Spies are a diverse, lovable crew with distinct personalities and skills. Cairo’s leadership in this installment adds fresh energy to the team dynamic.
✅ Globetrotting Adventure – One of the best things about this series is the international setting. Readers not only get an exciting spy story but also a glimpse into real-world locations, history, and culture.
✅ A Perfect Balance of Humor & Heart – Despite the high stakes, there’s always room for witty banter and heartfelt moments between the team, making their bond feel genuine and relatable.
Final Thoughts
London Calling is another fantastic addition to the City Spies series, proving once again why James Ponti is one of the best in middle-grade espionage fiction. With its blend of thrilling missions, smart twists, and lovable characters, this book is a must-read for adventure lovers aged 8-12.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, London Calling is an exhilarating ride from start to finish. And with a movie adaptation on the horizon, now is the perfect time to dive into the world of the City Spies!
📚 Final Verdict: A thrilling, action-packed spy adventure that delivers on all fronts! 🚀💥
Would you join the City Spies on a mission? Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 💬👇
About the author:
JAMES PONTI (he/him/his) is the New York Times bestselling author of four middle-grade book series: The Sherlock Society following a group of young detectives; City Spies, about an unlikely squad of five kids from around the world who form an elite MI6 Spy Team; the Edgar Award–
winning Framed! series, about a pair of tweens who solve mysteries in Washington, DC; and the Dead City trilogy, about a secret society that polices the undead living beneath
Manhattan. His books have appeared on more than fifteen different state award lists, and he is the founder of a writers group known as the Renegades of Middle Grade. James is also an Emmy–nominated television writer and producer who has worked for many networks including Nickelodeon, Disney Channel, PBS, History, and Spike TV, as well as NBC Sports. He lives with his family in Orlando, Florida. Find out more at JamesPonti.com.
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