10 Best Books Like City Spies
If you loved City Spies by James Ponti, here are the most similar books our readers recommend.
Quick Answer
The best books like City Spies are:
- 1Dog Man Unleashed by Dav Pilkey4.8
- 2Alone by Megan E. Freeman4.6
- 3Potato Fireball by Dave Villager4.5
- 4Diary Of A Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney4.6
- 5Agent 9: Flood-a-Geddon! by James Burks4.6
- 6Big Nate: From the Top by Lincoln Peirce4.6#1
- 7The Adventures of Captain Underpants by Dav Pilkey4.6#1
- 8Wish by Barbara O'Connor4.7
- 9Bird & Squirrel on the Run by James Burks4.7
- 10Bird & Squirrel on the Edge! by James Burks4.8

When 12-year-old hacker Sara Martinez faces juvenile detention for exposing corrupt foster parents, a mysterious British spy called "Mother" offers her an extraordinary alternative: join a secret team of five international kid spies working for MI6. Operating from Scotland when not attending boarding school, Sara and her new teammates use their unique skills to go undercover in places where adult agents can't, leading to a dangerous mission in Paris where they must stop a villain while navigating the complex dynamics of being both kids and spies.
We may earn a small commission from purchases made through these links at no extra cost to you.
Detailed Recommendations

Big Nate: From the Top
Big Nate #1 (works standalone)by Lincoln Peirce
Why you'll love it:
This middle grade shares a lighthearted and chaotic tone that will resonate with City Spies fans.

The Adventures of Captain Underpants
A Long #1 (works standalone)by Dav Pilkey
Why you'll love it:
This middle grade shares a silly and anarchic tone that will resonate with City Spies fans.
Quick Comparison: Books Like City Spies
| Book | Author | Rating | Year | Pages | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dog Man Unleashed | Dav Pilkey | 4.8 | 2016 | 224 | Closest match |
| Alone | Megan E. Freeman | 4.6 | 2022 | 416 | Similar vibes |
| Potato Fireball | Dave Villager | 4.5 | — | — | Similar vibes |
| Diary Of A Wimpy Kid | Jeff Kinney | 4.6 | 2012 | 224 | Similar vibes |
| Agent 9: Flood-a-Geddon! | James Burks | 4.6 | 2021 | 192 | Similar vibes |
| Big Nate: From the Top | Lincoln Peirce | 4.6 | 2011 | 224 | Similar vibes |
| The Adventures of Captain Underpants | Dav Pilkey | 4.6 | 1997 | 128 | Similar vibes |
| Wish | Barbara O'Connor | 4.7 | 2017 | 256 | Similar vibes |
| Bird & Squirrel on the Run📚 Series starter | James Burks | 4.7 | 2012 | 128 | Start a new series |
| Bird & Squirrel on the Edge! | James Burks | 4.8 | 2015 | 144 | Similar vibes |
Authors Who Write Like James Ponti
If you enjoy James Ponti's writing style, explore these similar authors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What books are most similar to City Spies?
The most similar books to City Spies are Dog Man Unleashed, Alone, Potato Fireball.
What should I read after City Spies?
After finishing City Spies, readers most commonly pick up Dog Man Unleashed next.
Who writes books like James Ponti?
Authors similar to James Ponti include Dav Pilkey, Lincoln Peirce, Barbara O'Connor, Megan E. Freeman, James Burks.
What genre is City Spies?
City Spies is a Middle Grade novel by James Ponti, published in 2021.
How long is City Spies?
City Spies is 400 pages long.
About City Spies
In this thrilling new series that Stuart Gibbs called “a must-read,” Edgar Award winner James Ponti brings together five kids from all over the world and transforms them into real-life spies—perfect for fans of Spy School and Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls. Sara Martinez is a hacker. She recently broke into the New York City foster care system to expose her foster parents as cheats and lawbreakers. However, instead of being hailed as a hero, Sara finds herself facing years in a juvenile detention facility and banned from using computers for the same stretch of time. Enter Mother, a British spy who not only gets Sara released from jail but also offers her a chance to make a home for herself within a secret MI6 agency. Operating out of a base in Scotland, the City Spies are five kids from various parts of the world. When they’re not attending the local boarding school, they’re honing their unique skills, such as sleight of hand, breaking and entering, observation, and explosives. All of these allow them to go places in the world of espionage where adults can’t. Before she knows what she’s doing, Sara is heading to Paris for an international youth summit, hacking into a rival school’s computer to prevent them from winning a million euros, dangling thirty feet off the side of a building, and trying to stop a villain…all while navigating the complex dynamics of her new team. No one said saving the world was easy…







