This series does not disappoint! Full of adventure, new foods and places the City Spies are exploring. I love the relationships that the kids have built and how genuine and real the emotions they feel are portrayed. I have shared these books with my own kids and look forward to many more in the series!

Ponti's best yet adventure with the City Spies! In all of the City Spies books you get to see these amazing kids in action as MI6 agents using their teenage appearance to blend in where adults can't. In Mission Manhattan they follow one influential teen in particular and it feels even so much more about the life of kids, which I loved. Maybe this was a little bit because the adults found themselves in a spot of trouble. I love the family and friendship relationships that are continueing to further develop. I love the new characters that we met in book 4 and 5 and the way they are developing relationships with the City Spies. I love the very real heartaches and struggles these kids go through. While the books are about these unlikely situations of kids as spies, it also approaches very real issues that all kids face like school life, homework, grades, summer school, family quarrels, friendships, fashion, etc...

Book five in the City Spies series was every bit as exciting as book one. The group has been tasked with guarding a teen Brazilian activist, Beatriz, as she speaks in various cities around the world. What at first seems like a run of the mill surveillance operation, turns out to be so much more involved and has the team questioning each other on where their loyalties lie, running the mission without the adults, and splitting into two groups in two locations to make sure they get it done. Sometimes by this point in a series, the reader can predict the plot and outcomes, however this book gave enough twists to make this an enjoyable and quick read.

I would like tо thank Netgalley for providing me with an ARC copy оf this book. It has been a rollercoaster ride оf action and adventure for me. The cover photo іs also quite appealing.

Join the City Spies оn their thrilling adventures across the globe, from Venice tо New York City. James Ponti’s vivid storytelling will transport you tо the heart оf the action, where you’ll witness their spycraft, wit, and pizza-loving antics. This book іs a captivating read that will leave you wanting more.

The writing style оf the author іs quite cool and with his captivating writing skills I could visualise each and everything happening infront оf me. The character development and their interactions were sо lively and the plot twists were placed at the correct places.

I will definitely recommend this book tо all mystery, action, and adventure lovers. Definitely grab a copy and give this book a try. You will enjoy іt and not get bored at all.

#NetGalley

The City Spies are a group of teenage MI6 agents who can blend in in places where adults would stand out. When a young climate activist appears to be the target of a threat, the City Spies get to work. Their mission may start in Venice, but takes them back to the UK, Washington, DC, and NYC. Will the City Spies be able to protect the climate activist and thwart the bad guys? Or is she even the target of the threat? A great middle grades book that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Mission Manhattan was a wonderful addition to the CIty Spies series. Ponti again crafts an interesting story with Beatriz, who was well written and was an overall interesting addition to the book. The ending left me on tenterhooks and I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to Simon and Schuster and James Ponti for providing me with an ARC. I was not required to write a review, and all thoughts presented in the review above are my own.

James Ponti's books capture young readers attention and keeps them hooked until the very last page. It's hard keeping his books on my library shelves. Love this series which takes students on trips all around the world that they would otherwise not experience.

James Ponti does it again! The City Spies series is one of my (And my students') favorites! This is another unputdownable addition to the series. This mystery tackles another important topic - climate change- and makes it very accessible and interesting to kids. The mystery was great and I enjoyed learning more about Rio and his life before he became a City Spy. I'm looking forward to many more books in this series as they never disappoint!

The City Spies are back with a new and exciting adventure in another hit from James Ponti! I was so excited to dive into the next book in the series after being left with a cliffhanger in book four, and book five dives into the action right away. This time, the kids have to take charge without as much support from the adults like in the past books, and have to deal with some unwanted spotlight as spies! This was another great installment in the series and my students are so excited to get copies in their hands! Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

The City Spies are at it again, and this time the kids (who are also secret agents) begin their adventure at an environmental awareness rally in Venice. Tasked with keeping the teenage guest speaker safe, one of the team members suddenly finds himself thrust into the global spotlight as the result of a heroic act. Since the spotlight is exactly the opposite of what a spy wants, tricky maneuvers are called for in order to solve the increasingly tangled web of deception. Cheer on the talented and creative team of kid spies as they work quickly to put the clues together before it’s too late.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the e-ARC of the latest installment in the City Spies series.

I have so enjoyed this series, and this book did not disappoint. That being said, I was disappointed that the book didn't pick up where the last left off, and it took some time to untangle Cairo's commitment to his mother!

As per usual for this series, this book is full of clever clever plot, well-written action and character arcs, and family dynamic that warms my heart. I like how the kids took charge in this one! Like I love that the adults are involved usually, but with both Monty and Mother temporarily out of commission entirely, the City Spies had to create the plan full through and execute it, and they did!!!! These kids are such a good team. And a family! They keep referring to each other as siblings! (which they are legally and emotionally but it still makes me 🥰)

I like that the "is Robert secretly on Clementine's side" question from the last book was resolved, but I am SO frustrated (in a good way--mostly, because I want to know!!) that we get so little as to what she is up to and whose side she's on!! I'm also curious about how Annie's holding up, because she seemed pretty close to Cairo (they only had each other for many, many years) and now Cairo is not even in communication with her.

I also appreciate the thread through these books of climate activism, especially youth climate activism. It was a bigger presence in this book than in the last few, and I recognize the rhetoric used against youth climate activists that was aimed at Beatriz.

I love this series for kids and this fifth installment is amazing. Instead of becoming repetitive or boring, the stories just get better and better. Thank you to the publisher and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. I look forward to more of this series.

James Ponti knows how to write an ending that makes you shout “Oh No!” just as you’re ready to close the book. This is especially true at the end of the fourth and now fifth City Spies adventure. Each time one ends, it leaves me more than ready for the next one!

Mission Manhattan has all the action, intrigue and entertainment you come to expect from the City Spies series. I love getting to spend more and more time getting to know these characters and seeing them problem solve their way through challenging circumstances.

I enjoyed Beatriz’s character and also loved that this one started out in Venice.

My students are going to be talking, talking, talking about this one.

Another fast-paced thriller from James Ponti! The story was riveting, funny and heart-warming, while giving readers a glimpse into the world of spy craft. Loved the various settings and the natural evolution of relationships between the various characters. Can't believe the cliffhanger ending!

Love, love, love the City Spies series! My students (and myself) cannot get enough! It helps that I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Ponti and he’s pretty much the coolest!

I sometimes struggle sticking with a series after so many books, but this one is not a struggle. Each book has a different vibe. Mission Manhattan follows the kids to Venice and all of the adventures they encounter there.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC.

I absolutely love watching this series and its characters evolve from book to book.

In Mission Manhattan, the gang is working to protect a teen environmental advocate from Russian bad guys. They start in Venice then travel to Washington DC and New York City.

I appreciate how the characters become a little more human in each book. They make mistakes and learn and grow together. Their traits aren’t thrown in the check a box. They’re integral to each character. The book is diverse without being performative.

The slight stray from the typical formula was fun and I loved the dramatic irony with Mother’s situation and who the REAL bad guy is. As usual, Ponti doesn’t estimate his middle grade readers. The plot is complicated, well-researched, and engaging for all-ages. I’m already looking forward to the next one and watching Clementine’s next move!

Spycraft, witty banter, and pizza! Whether running along the canals of Venice or the streets of New York City, James Ponti's rich descriptions make you feel you are right there with the City Spies. Once again, he does not disappoint! This book is sure to keep readers hooked. Thank you, Netgalley, for the E ARC.

Wow, James Ponti does it again! Mission Manhattan is the latest entry in his City Spies series and I hope there are many more missions to come for this specialized group. This well-researched book has it all: mystery, suspense, danger, family dynamics, interesting locales, humor and a totally endearing cast of main characters. I tried to read slowly to savor it, but it is a true page turner and couldn’t be put down. A highly recommended read and collection addition!

Mission Manhattan is the latest in the City Spies adventures. In this mission, the city spies are tasked with protecting Beatriz, a Brazilian environmentalist. The mission starts in Venice, then jumps to Washington, DC and finally ends in NY city. In this book we learn more about Rio's backstory and learn more about Cairo's loyalties. These stories get better and better. I highly recommend this installment of the City Spies!!!!!