Juniper Kai Super spy

Aspiring spy Juniper Kai may be young, but she's already good at it; she even has all the disguises and equipment . But what she doesn't have (and wishes for) is someone for spy games, since no other children live nearby; and her parents, usually willing to team up for playtime activities, seem preoccupied lately, having hush-hush discussions without her. Something's up, so Juniper begins investigating. But whether using her Super-Ear listening device to eavesdrop on Mom's calls, or, with Spy-o-Scope, spotting Dad working on a project in the guest room, mysteries remain. Eventually, though, her persistent, skillful snooping brings happy discovery and anticipation for a new, welcome role not to mention a special sleuthing companion. Along with the book's lively narrative and engaging protagonist, readers will enjoy collecting clues along with Juniper. Neonakis' vibrant cartoon illustrations feature witty touches and nods to classic spy-movie tropes, like Juniper's evidence board or her furtive forays through the house in a trench coat. With plenty of charm, this offers both an entertaining read and a heartfelt, supportive take on the topic of a new sibling.--Shelle Rosenfeld Copyright 2020 Booklist

Code-breaking manuals? Check. Disguises? Check. Spy cameras? Check!Harriet the Spy would approve of this sharp-eyed investigator. This young, mixed-race heroine has all the tools of the spy trade at her disposal. And while she prefers to work alone, her mom and dad have always filled in as assets. But recently, something has changed. When she observes her parents making clandestine plans and writing in code, Juniper springs into action. What are her parents up to? With her dogged curiosity and creative problem-solving, Juniper covers a lot of ground, all while clad in her rose-colored shorts and mint-green socks. During a surveillance run, she detects her Asian-presenting dad building something that looks like a jail, while her dark-haired, brown-skinned, pleasantly plump mother whispers secrets on the phone. Juniper is given plenty of alone-time to plan, collect, and analyze all the intelligence. The animation-inflected illustrations cover every angle of the house, with tension building in the cover of darkness. Within the text, the complex, spy-related words are printed in colored, boldface type for dramatic emphasis. With skillful pacing, the storyline ramps up as the clues are collected. Will Juniper complete her mission? Or is this just the beginning of "the most important mission of [her] life"?This will be a read-aloud favorite for little supersleuths, particularly those with junior agents on the way. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.