It’s hard to navigate the world when you’re 12 years old, especially when you’re the chubby kid at a secret spy school. Not only is Hale Jordan having trouble passing his junior agent exam, but he’s the son of the Sub Rosa Society’s most elite spy team. Not to mention Hale’s younger sister is an acrobatic dynamo who will most likely pass her test before him. Being a spy is part of Hale’s DNA, although he may never get a chance to prove himself. While Hale’s classmates are busy teasing him, he’s using his smarts to scheme his way to success. His special skill set comes in handy when Hale’s parents don't return from an important, top-secret mission. When Hale cannot trust the adults at SRS to bring his parents home, he and his very clever sister resolve to find their parents and complete the mission.
Hale’s humorous narrative voice makes The Doublecross, the first in a new series, a fast-paced and engaging read. He’s the big-boned underdog that readers will root for the entire time. Hale says, “Trying to step in for our parents was sort of like me trying to do a pull-up. It just wasn’t going to happen.” Hale’s physique may make him the target of bullies, but he manages to circumvent even the smartest spy. Heroes come in many shapes and sizes, and Hale Jordan is no exception.
Kimberly Giarratano is the author of Grunge Gods and Graveyards, a young adult paranormal mystery.
