Spy School Books in Order

The Recommended Spy School Reading Path

If you are ready to join the CIA's Academy of Espionage, the absolute best way to experience the series is in chronological publication order. Stuart Gibbs has constructed a tight, serialized narrative where each book directly builds on the character development, romantic tensions, and global threats established in the previous installments. Skipping ahead will lead to major spoilers regarding the identity of double agents, the fate of the villainous organization SPYDER, and the evolving relationship between Ben Ripley and Erica Hale.

Spy School Main Novels in Order

Here is the complete list of the primary novels in the Spy School series. They should be read in this exact sequence:

• Spy School (2012): Twelve-year-old math genius Ben Ripley is recruited to the CIA's top-secret Academy of Espionage, only to discover he is actually bait to catch a mole.
• Spy Camp (2013): Ben attends the CIA's summer training facility, where the evil organization SPYDER attempts to recruit him—or eliminate him.
• Evil Spy School (2015): After getting expelled from the CIA academy, Ben is mistakenly recruited by SPYDER and goes undercover inside the enemy's training camp.
• Spy Ski School (2016): Ben is sent on his first official solo undercover mission in Colorado to befriend the daughter of a suspicious Chinese billionaire.
• Spy School Secret Service (2017): Ben is tasked with preventing an assassination attempt on the President of the United States, only to find himself framed as the prime suspect.
• Spy School Goes South (2018): Ben and his classmates travel to the warm waters of Florida and the Caribbean to track down a rogue SPYDER agent.
• Spy School British Invasion (2019): Ben and his friends head across the Atlantic to London, taking the fight directly to the leaders of SPYDER on their home turf.
• Spy School Revolution (2020): With SPYDER defeated, Ben faces a new threat: the Croatoan, a mysterious spy group dating back to the American Revolution.
• Spy School at Sea (2021): Ben goes undercover on a luxury cruise ship in the Central American seas to stop a massive cargo ship threat.
• Spy School Project X (2022): Ben becomes the target of a massive online conspiracy theory, forcing him to go on the run to prove his innocence.
• Spy School Goes North (2023): Ben is sent to the icy wilderness of Alaska to protect a high-profile defector from Russian agents.
• Spy School Goes Wild (2024): Ben finds himself stranded in a remote jungle, relying on his survival skills and wits to outrun dangerous mercenary groups.
• Spy School Blackout (2025): Ben is forced off the grid, navigating a global cybersecurity threat with the help of his trusted allies.
• Spy School Goes East (Expected October 6, 2026): In this highly anticipated fourteenth installment, Ben and his team travel to China to investigate the sudden disappearance of the Hale family.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

For the main novels, the publication order and chronological order are identical. Stuart Gibbs writes the books in sequence, and each adventure takes place shortly after the previous one. The timeline tracks Ben's progression through his junior high spy training years. Because the story spans a continuous timeline, readers should avoid jumping around the main series.

Spy School Graphic Novels

For visual learners and fans of comic books, Stuart Gibbs has adapted the series into graphic novels with full-color illustrations. These graphic novels follow the exact same plots as the original novels and should be read in the same order. As of 2026, the graphic novel adaptations include:

1. Spy School: The Graphic Novel (2022)
2. Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel (2023)
3. Evil Spy School: The Graphic Novel (2024)
4. Spy Ski School: The Graphic Novel (2025)
5. Spy School Secret Service: The Graphic Novel (2026)
6. Spy School Goes South: The Graphic Novel (Expected April 6, 2027)

Companion Books and Non-Fiction Spin-offs

Beyond the main adventures, Gibbs has expanded the Spy School universe with companion materials that provide interactive puzzles and true historical context:

• Spy School Entrance Exam (2024): A companion puzzle book co-created with puzzle master Jeff Chen. It features interactive challenges and training tips written from the perspective of various Spy School characters. It is best read any time after Book 3 once you are familiar with the core cast.
• Spy School Secret Files: Totally True Tales From World War II (Expected November 10, 2026): This is the launch of an all-new non-fiction spin-off series. Instead of continuing Ben's fictional exploits, this book shares real-world espionage stories, historical spy figures, and clever tactics used during World War II, complete with character commentary.

What to Know Before You Start

The series is specifically written for middle-grade readers (typically ages 8 to 12), but its sharp humor, movie-like action sequences, and engaging mystery elements make it a favorite for young adults and reluctant readers alike. While the spy action is thrilling, the tone remains lighthearted, funny, and grounded in the relatable struggles of growing up, feeling awkward, and making friends.