The Spy School Series: Reading Order & Book Guide

Navigating middle school is tough enough, but trying to survive double-agents, explosive covert operations, and rogue international criminal organizations takes it to an entirely new level. Enter Ben Ripley, an awkward 12-year-old math whiz who gets unexpectedly recruited into the CIA’s top-secret Academy of Espionage. Created by New York Times bestselling author Stuart Gibbs, The Spy School Series has captured the imaginations of millions of readers across the globe.

Whether you are a devoted fiction enthusiast, an author studying pacing, or a parent building a young reader’s bookshelf, knowing The Spy School Series order is vital. Because every installment builds directly upon previous character developments and global conspiracies, diving in out of order can spoil key twists.

This definitive reading order and book guide covers all mainline novels, graphic novel adaptations, and companion releases, providing everything you need to enjoy Ben Ripley’s covert journey from day one.

The Ultimate Reading Order for The Spy School Series

To get the best narrative experience, The Spy School Series should be read in chronological publication order. Below is the full breakdown of all mainline novels, including plots and key stakes.

As of 2026, there are 14 mainline novels in the core series, along with multiple graphic novel adaptations, puzzle books, and companion non-fiction releases.

1. Spy School (2012)

Ben Ripley, a middle school student enlisted in a covert CIA training facility, is introduced in the first episode of the series, Spy School. When Ben learns that espionage entails much more than just classroom instruction, what initially appears to be a thrilling opportunity swiftly becomes perilous. This first volume lays the groundwork for the exciting Spy School series, which is full of humour, intrigue, action, and cunning twists.

the-spy-school-series-spy-camp — Spy Camp – The Spy School Series

2. Spy Camp (2013)

Ben Ripley returns for another thrilling adventure at the CIA’s espionage school in espionage Camp. Ben and his buddies must survive a summer full of espionage, covert operations, and surprising turns after he is targeted by a dangerous enemy. It increases the series’ scope and the young spies’ stakes.

the-spy-school-series-evil-spy-school — Evil Spy School – The Spy School Series

3. Evil Spy School (2015)

After being enlisted by a prestigious espionage school, Ben Ripley returns for another perilous mission in Evil Espionage School. Ben must rely on his developing abilities, fast thinking, and allies to unearth the truth when a dark conspiracy jeopardises national security. The series continues in a light-hearted and fast-paced manner.

the-spy-school-series-evil-spy-ski-school — Spy Ski School – The Spy School Series

4. Spy Ski School (2016)

Ben Ripley goes undercover to a snowy ski resort in Spy Ski School in order to foil a risky criminal scheme. This fourth edition, which combines espionage, humour, and exhilarating action, tests Ben’s developing spy abilities while presenting fresh obstacles, unusual alliances, and lots of winter adventure.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-secret-service — Spy School Secret Service – The Spy School Series

5. Spy School Secret Service (2017)

Ben Ripley must complete another risky operation in Spy School Secret Service when the President is the target of a severe threat. Ben and his fellow young spies face danger, deceit, and many unexpected turns as they try to figure out the scheme. While maintaining the series’ distinctive mix of humour, action, and espionage, the fifth volume raises the stakes.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-goes-south — Spy School Goes South – The Spy School Series

6. Spy School Goes South (2018)

Ben Ripley travels to South America for yet another perilous mission in Spy School Goes South. Ben must rely on his developing spy abilities to live as he negotiates new dangers, surprising relationships, and high-stakes espionage. While maintaining the series’ distinctive mix of humour, suspense, and adventure, this sixth episode intensifies the action.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-british-invasion — Spy School British Invasion – The Spy School Series

7. Spy School British Invasion (2019)

In Spy School British Invasion, Ben Ripley heads to England for another dangerous mission filled with espionage, deception, and unexpected twists. As Ben faces new enemies and challenges, he must rely on his spy skills and trusted allies to uncover a threat that could have serious consequences.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-revolution — Spy School Revoulation – The Spy School Series

8. Spy School Revolution (2020)

Ben Ripley must complete another perilous mission in Spy School Revolution as the CIA is threatened by an enigmatic adversary. This eighth episode continues Ben’s development as a young spy while taking the story in a thrilling new direction with lots of twists, astute espionage, and high-stakes action.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-at-sea — Spy School at Sea – The Spy School Series

9. Spy School at Sea (2021)

Ben Ripley embarks on yet another perilous mission aboard an opulent cruise ship in Spy School at Sea. What starts off as an exhilarating task swiftly develops into a high-stakes journey involving deceit, espionage, and unforeseen dangers. This part carries on Ben’s development as a young spy with deft turns and intense action.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-project-x — Spy School Project X – The Spy School Series

10. Spy School Project X (2022)

When the globe is threatened by an enigmatic organization, Ben Ripley is faced with one of his riskiest missions yet in Spy School Project X. This episode continues Ben’s development as a young spy while advancing the story toward an exciting new challenge. It is jam-packed with espionage, humour, smart twists, and high-stakes action.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-goes-north — Spy School Goes North – The Spy School Series

11. Spy School Goes North (2023)

Ben Ripley travels to Alaska for yet another perilous mission in Spy School Goes North. Ben must rely on his developing spy abilities, quick thinking, and collaboration to survive as the crew faces new dangers and difficult circumstances. The adventure expands the thrilling world of the series while fusing humour, suspense, and surprising turns.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-goes-wild — Spy School Goes Wild – The Spy School Series

12. Spy School Goes Wild (2024)

Ben Ripley and his fellow young spies are forced into the wilderness by an enigmatic menace in Spy School Goes Wild, putting them on yet another perilous mission. This episode broadens Ben’s world and puts his bravery, teamwork, and spy abilities to the test in a completely different environment. It is full of smart devices, humour, and surprising turns.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-blackout — Spy School Blackout – The Spy School Series

13. Spy School Blackout (2025)

Ben Ripley encounters a global cybersecurity catastrophe in Stuart Gibbs’s twelfth book, Spy School Blackout, when a hacker takes down electricity networks all across the world. Ben and his other spies must trace the hacker while surviving without phones, computers, or CIA assistance after being forced to land in Indonesia.

the-spy-school-series-spy-school-goes-east — Spy School Goes East – The Spy School Series

14. Spy School Goes East (2026)

The fourteenth novel in Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series is called Spy School Goes East (2026). Ben Ripley and his fellow trainee spies head east to locate the Hale family when they vanish while on an assignment in China. Their journey, which combines mystery, action, humour, and high-stakes espionage, takes them to Shanghai, the Great Wall, and the Gobi Desert.

The Spy School Graphic Novels Collection

Spy School: The Graphic Novel

The Graphic Novel brings Stuart Gibbs’s popular spy-adventure story to life in a dynamic visual format. It follows Ben Ripley as he navigates the dangerous and hilarious world of espionage at a secret spy school. With action-packed illustrations and a fast-paced adaptation, it offers both longtime fans and new readers an engaging way to experience Ben’s first mission.

Spy Camp: The Graphic Novel

Stuart Gibbs’s action-packed second Spy School adventure is adapted into a visually appealing style for the Graphic Novel. It chronicles Ben Ripley’s perilous summer assignment, which is full of covert missions, enemy operatives, and surprising turns. Through vibrant graphics, the graphic novel captures the humour, mystery, and spy-school excitement of the series.

Evil Spy School: The Graphic Novel

Stuart Gibbs’s thrilling spy tale is brought to life in an eye-catching manner in the Graphic Novel. It follows Ben Ripley as he makes his way through the perilous corridors of Spy School, encountering foes, secrets, and many surprising turns. This rendition is an enjoyable option for readers who like graphic novels and spy-filled escapades because of its vibrant visuals and fast-paced plot.

Spy Ski School: The Graphic Novel

Stuart Gibbs’s exciting spy tale is transformed into a lively illustrated format in The Graphic Novel. Ben Ripley embarks on another perilous operation that combines camaraderie, humour, espionage, and high-stakes action in a ski resort. Younger readers can discover the world of Spy School in a visually captivating and fast-paced manner.

Spy School Entrance Exam

Stuart Gibbs’s well-known spy-adventure series is brought to life in a visual style with the graphic novel adaptation Spy School Entrance Exam. The plot, which combines humour, action, mystery, and drawings to make it particularly captivating for younger readers and fans of the original novels, follows Ben Ripley as he encounters the difficulties of enrolling in the CIA’s covert spy school.

Spy School Secret Files

Spy School Secret Files is a companion collection that gives readers extra glimpses into the world of Stuart Gibbs’s Spy School series. It expands on the characters, missions, gadgets, and secrets that make the main books so entertaining. These additional stories are a fun choice for fans who want more espionage-filled adventures beyond the core novels.

Final Thoughts

The Spy School Series proves that great middle-grade literature isn’t just for kids—it’s a masterclass in pacing, character growth, and smart storytelling that appeals to readers, writers, and storytellers of all ages.

By blending laugh-out-loud humor with legitimate suspense and real-world themes, Stuart Gibbs has crafted an enduring espionage universe that keeps audiences hooked from the very first entry.

Whether you’re analyzing its craft for your own writing journey or diving into Ben Ripley’s wild covert world purely for the thrill of the adventure, following this reading order ensures you won’t miss a single plot twist, character shift, or high-stakes mission.

Grab your copy of Spy School, trust your instincts, and prepare for a wild ride through one of modern fiction’s most beloved series.

The Ultimate Reading Order for The Spy School Series

To get the best narrative experience, The Spy School Series should be read in chronological publication order. Below is the full breakdown of all mainline novels, including plots and key stakes.

As of 2026, there are 14 mainline novels in the core series, along with multiple graphic novel adaptations, puzzle books, and companion non-fiction releases.