Secret Agent Y.O.U.: The Official Guide to Secret Codes, Disguises, Surveillance, and More

by Helaine Becker, Dave Whamond (Illustrations)

Any kid who’s ever trained a gerbil, solved a crossword, or performed a magic trick has what it takes to become the next 007. This action-packed book readies readers for the world of clandestine affairs with a lively lineup of games and activities. Kids learn how to conduct surveillance, write in code, improve reflexes by dodging poisoned darts (or at least chicken drumsticks), and create disguises so artful they even fool the dog. These super-secret missions build skills required not only in the spy world — imagination, awareness, and physical fitness — but also in everyday life. Colorful cartoon-style illustrations add to the fun.

64 pages, Paperback

First published July 12, 2006

About the author

Helaine Becker has written over 70 books, including the #1 National bestseller, A Porcupine in a Pine Tree,and its sequel, Dashing through the Snow, Sloth at the Zoom, Dirk Daring, Secret Agent, the Looney Bay All-Stars chapter book series, non-fiction including Counting on Katherine, Worms for Breakfast and Zoobots (all Junior Library Guild Selections), Monster Science, You Can Read, Lines Bars and Circles, and Boredom Blasters, plus many picture books and young adult novels. She also writes for children’s magazines and for children's television. Her show Dr. Greenie's Mad Lab was a finalist at MIP.com Junior in Cannes.
She has won the Lane Anderson Award for Science Writing for Children twice,once for The Big Green Book of the Big Blue Sea and once for The Insecto-Files, and the Picture Book of the Year Award from the Canadian Booksellers Association for A Porcupine in a Pine Tree. She has also won three Silver Birch awards and a Red Cedar award.

Helaine Becker holds U.S. and Canadian citizenship. She attended high school in New York, university in North Carolina (Go Blue Devils!!!!) and now lives in Toronto with her husband and dog, Ella. She has two really handsome sons.