Dirk Daring, Secret Agent

by Helaine Becker

When Darren Dirkowitz's evil stepbrother (code name Waldo) gets hold of Darren's tippity-top-secret spy journal, he threatens to expose it to the entire Preston Middle School student body. Unless, that is, Darren starts doing his dirty work for him. Now Darren's got to use the oh-so-cloak-and-daggery skills he's honed in his secret alternate life as Dirk Daring, Secret Agent to spy on kids at school. Naturally, he also sets up a separate, sneaky surveillance program to unearth Waldo's own secrets. As more and more ugly truths are exposed, new alliances are forged and old friendships broken. Can Darren learn to be true to himself and build real friendships for the first time in his life? Or will he retreat back into his exciting but imaginary shadow world?

Genres: Childrens, Fiction

208 pages, Paperback

First published September 29, 2014

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.

Reviews

[Sam T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dirk Daring Secret Agent

“They alley was narrow-dark and narrow. It stank like rotten vegetables and cat pee, the signature reek of demoralization and despair.

I flattened myself like a tortilla against the bricks. I had just one task now-to melt into the wall. To become the wall.
I shifted my eyes. Left right, left right. There was nothing to see. Nothing to fear. Not unless you counted the rats that squeaked behind Nino’s Pizza dumpster.
I was safe,so far
Time to plan my next move. Just one chance to get it right. In this business there are no second chances.”

This was the beginning few paragraphs of the book Dirk Daring Secret Agent.

Dirk Daring Secret Agent is a Comedy type of book.The Author is Helaine Becker and this book does not have any special awards but is still a must read!

The main character is of course Dirk Daring or by is alias Darren Dirkowitz. His best friend is Travis Sendak or by his code name T-Bone.The setting is mainly at his school Preston Middle School and Darren's house. The main conflict is that Waldo (Darren's jerk older step brother) stole his spy journal and threatens to expose it to the whole school if he doesn't do his bidding.

Dirk Daring is a can't miss book due to its overall joy and funny moments that you will have while reading this book.

[Ampersand Inc. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever had a secret hankering to be a spy? Do you read spy thrillers to escape the everyday humdrum? Well, do yourself a favour and read Dirk Daring Secret Agent. It is about a middle school kid, Darren Drikowitz (code name Dirk Daring) whose secret spy journal is stolen by his step-brother (nicknamed Waldo because he's never aroundwhen there are chores to be done). Waldo blackmails Darren into spying for him by threatening to publish the journal online and Darren reluctantly agrees. Unluckily for Waldo, Darren also decides to spy on him so he can get out of having to do any more dirty work. This is a really fun read with codes, little spot illustrations, side comments and lots of heart. There is a message but it is subtly done and you come away having spent some quality time with good characters and a good story.

[Cara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dirk’s voice is completely in spy-mode, making for an amusing narrative, and the myriad illustrations, including cartoons, diagrams, case files and text messages, will interest modern readers, especially Wimpy Kid fans. There are two twists at the end: Dirk discovers that outside influences were affecting Travis’ behavior, and the last chapter reveals that Dirk truly is a spy, working on a case against an international ambassador, rather than just the self-created identity and everyday ‘missions’ that the rest of the novel implies. Kids in grades 4-6 will find Dirk’s adventures to be humorous and entertaining, good for a read-aloud or individual reading.

[Melissapalmer404 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Book #35 Read in 2016
Dirk Daring, Secret Agent by Helaine Becker

This is a start of a series that middle school boys would like. Darren has an alter ego...Dirk Daring, Secret Agent. But when his journal detailing his imaginary escapades becomes public information in middle school, Darren is embarrassed. How will he get his journal back? How will he get people to stop laughing at him? I borrowed this book from the town library.

[Colette · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast paced with appealing illustrations, middle grades will love Dirk Daring aka Darren's schoolyard adventures. Friendships are tested and dangers abound in this classic spy mystery written with detective jargon and bathroom humour. Recommended for fans of the Jack Lime series.

[Richard Snyder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty good read - not my most favorite book, but it was fun. "Origami Yoda" like (but not as cute).

[Michãel · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kids ate this book up. We all laughed a lot and enjoyed reading it together.

[Hillvan]

520L.