Breaking News

Kensy & Max #1

by Jacqueline Harvey

Introducing Kensy and Max - an action-packed spy-adventure series for girls and boys from bestselling author Jacqueline Harvey!

What would you do if you woke up in a strange place? If your whole life changed in the blink of an eye and you had no idea what was going on?

Twins Kensy and Max Grey's lives are turned upside down when they are whisked off to London, and discover their parents are missing. As the situation unfolds, so many things don't add up: their strange new school, the bizarre grannies on their street, the coded messages they keep finding and the feeling that, all around them, adults are keeping secrets . . .

Things can never go back to the way they were, but the twins are determined to uncover the truth!

Genres: Childrens, Mystery, Middle Grade, Mystery Thriller

336 pages, Paperback

Published February 26, 2018

About the author

Jacqueline Harvey has combined a successful career in education with her love of a good story. She is the author of many novels for younger readers and a picture book, THE SOUND OF THE SEA, which was awarded Honour Book in the 2006 Australian Children’s Book Council Awards.

Jacqueline taught in Infants and Primary schools and was Deputy Head of Abbotsleigh Junior School (an independent day and boarding school for girls) in Sydney Australia for seven and a half years before taking up the position of Director of Development at Abbotsleigh in 2010. In October 2012 she resigned to become a full time writer and speaker.

Jacqueline’s bestselling Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose series’ centre on the adventures of two young girls.

Alice-Miranda Highton-Smith-Kennington-Jones is a perpetually positive and determined seven year old who takes herself off to boarding school because it appeals to her sense of adventure.

Clementine Rose is a sweet little girl, who brings much joy to her family and the friends she makes along the way in her journeys through the first five books of the series. A star of the show is Clementine Rose’s pet, an adorable teacup pig called Lavender.

Her newest series is called Kensy and Max about twins who learn that their grandmother is head of the world's most important spy organisation, Pharos.

Current Books in the Series’
Clementine Rose and the Seaside Escape April 1, 2014 Shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) 2015

Alice-Miranda In Japan March 1, 2014 Shortlisted Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs) 2015

Alice-Miranda Shines Bright September 1, 2013
Selected for the 2013 Get Reading Program (50 Books You Can’t Put down)

Clementine Rose and the Perfect Present May 1, 2013

Clementine Rose and the Farm Fiasco August 1, 2013

Alice-Miranda In Paris March 1, 2013
Shortlisted 2014 Australian Book Industry Awards Book of the Year 8-14 years category
Shortlisted 2014 REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT.

Clementine Rose and the Pet Day Disaster January 1, 2012

Alice-Miranda in New York February 1, 2012
Winner Random House Australia Children’s Book of the Year

Clementine Rose and the Surprise Visitor September 1, 2012
Selected for the 2012 Get Reading Program (50 Books You Can't Put Down)
Voted #50 Dymocks Top 51 Kid’s Books 2013

Alice-Miranda Shows the Way August 1, 2012
Shortlisted for 2013 REAL awards which are the Children’s’ Choice awards KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria and COOL in the ACT
Awarded Honour Book KOALA awards

Alice-Miranda At Sea August 1, 2012
Longlisted for DAVITT awards (Crime fiction in Junior Category) 2012

Alice-Miranda Takes the Lead February 1, 2011
Named Australian Children's Book of the Year 2011 as voted by the members of the NSW Independent Booksellers Group.


Alice-Miranda On Holiday August 1, 2010

Alice-Miranda at School February 1, 2010
Voted #9 Dymocks Top 51 Books for Kids 2013
Winner 2012 YABBA (Young Australian's Best Book Award in Victoria)
Awarded Honour Book KOALAs
Shortlisted for 2012 REAL awards which are the Children’s Choice Awards – KOALA’s in NSW, YABBA’s in Victoria, WAYRBA in Western Australia and COOL in the ACT
Shortlisted for the 2011 Australian Peace Award.

Kensy and Max: Breaking News March 2018 Shortlisted for Red Dot Book Awards Singapore 2020, YABBA, KOALA and KROC Children's Choice Awards Victoria, NSW and NT 202, Shortlisted West Australian Young Readers' Book Awards 2020

Reviews

[Julie McAliece · Rating 5 out of 5]

We had Jacqueline Harvey at school last week and she is one of the best speakers we have ever had! She was brilliant and held the students in the palm of her hand . She had them rolling on the carpet laughing at her stories . So I naturally went out and bought Kensey and max and I loved it. Can’t wait to get the next book so I can catch up on the story. She is a definite favourite of all the girls in my class .

[Emily, Shadow's Girlie ୨୧ (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book. Not good enough for me to finish the series, however, as it wasn't really my cup of tea

[Julie Garner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advanced reading copy of this book.
I absolutely LOVE Kensy and Max. This new series is a ripper and Harvey will win over a new legion of fans, as well as growing her current fan base from Alice Miranda and Clementine Rose. Kensy and Max is the start of a new series that will have boys and girls asking for book 2 before they even finish reading book 1!
It all starts with the twins in a car going somewhere mysterious and waking up in a locked room. Their parents are missing and the only familiar person around them takes off in search of the parents. Kensy & Max have to adapt in a new town, new home, new school and surrounded by strangers amongst a mystery shrouded in secrets. What would you do? How would you survive?
These two kids are tough. They have moved home every 6 months so they are used to that. They are used to new schools and they have each other's back. This is what will get them through this time. Who is the mysterious woman that owns the home they are staying? Why are their new school friends acting weird? There is so much for our young twosome to discover that we wonder how it will ever fit into one book.
Harvey captures the emotions of the two perfectly. They are scared, sad and overwhelmed by everything that is going on around them but they are also stoic, brave and question everything. You can tell that Kensy and Max are used to looking after themselves and each other. It is their love for one another as well as for their family that helps them get through.
I look forward to reading the next installment in this series as Kensy & Max discover their true selves and develop into the awesome young people that we can see presented here.

[Stacy Mojica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The girls (ages 8 and 9) were a little bored by this book for the first 75%. Maybe around that point it finally got interesting to them. I kept telling them just to hang on because mystery stories can take awhile to get good. They really loved going back through all the chapters and decoding the titles with the cipher key in the back. Then they begged me to start reading book 2 😆

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

My girls and I are loving reading the Kensy and Max series together. It's full of adventure, mystery and plot twists. I highly recommend anything written by Jacqueline Harvery!

[Juzzy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kensy and Max Breaking News is the first book in a new series by Jacqueline Harvey. Kensy and Max are awesome twins and it suits both genders. The spy elements are hinted throughout and the twins drive the action and have more questions than they get answers - but remember “there are three things that can’t be hidden the sun, the moon and the truth” - Confucius. They have to be careful as each and every turn has a new danger and they never know what is about to happen. Whoever new that a walk to and from school could be so eventful? The characters are lovely and very well written, they are easy to picture and the chapter headings are awesome!

I really loved this book and can see it being popular with many age groups and genders especially for existing fans of Alice-Miranda and Clementine Rose. Congratulations Jacqueline you should be very proud of this book and I can’t wait for the whole series to come!

[Green Jazz Blues · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, wow, wow and whoa! Buckle up for a fast action-packed adventure. You even get a chance to try out your crytpography skills with the chapter headings being in a cypher - Yep! Codebreaking!
It's not all plain sailing with plenty of anxieties for Kensy and Max - Just what has happened to their parents who have mysteriously vanished?
Then I find out at the end that there's a sequel? Looking forward to reading it.

[Adriana Penberthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I normally don’t like middle grade fiction as much as others, but the story, characters, and VOCABULARY (always looking for rich language for my students) is fantastic. I am super invested in the series. Also, have to add that the cipher codes for every chapter are so much fun to crack. I can already imagine my students are going to have a blast with this series. If you’re looking for high engagement, mystery, wholesome and unique characters— this is it!!!

[Brooke Charlton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I’m the wrong demographic for this novel. I can see people enjoying it, it just wasn’t my cup of tea.
The ending was very quick and anti climatic and the twists weren’t very compelling to me, hence why I think it is aimed at younger kids.

[Ashrita Luther · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought this book was outstanding. Before I even new about this book I was reading Alice Miranda and Clementine rose I only new about Kensy and Max when Jaucqline Harvey came for an author visit send gave me some ideas for a story I'm working on so I think Kensy and Max is a great story

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blast. Now I want book 2, and book 1 isn't even published.
Thanks Jacqui!

[Jill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jacqueline Harvey has upped her game with this series. I love Clementine Rose for the younger age group about five-year-olds to nine-year-olds and the Alice Miranda series for the nine-year-olds to eleven-year-olds.

Max and Kensey are eleven-year-old twins. They adore their parents and wake up to find Fitz, who is their 'manny' not nanny, has driven them to a new home in England and they don't know where their parents are. Fitz is going to find them and leaves them in London at a house owned by the newspaper magnate Dame Cordelia Spencer. The butler Song is doing his best to keep them safe in the townhouse. It's only a short walk from their new school but he insists they take a cab to school. When they are attacked and hijacked in a cab. Things go from strange to dangerous quickly. Luckily they escape both times.

Kensy is Kensington Meribel Grey, feisty, competitive, good at picking locks and all things science. Max is her twin, Maxim Val d'Isere Grey who's cool-headed, competitive, good at cracking codes, highly perceptive and has a photographic memory.

Their parents are alive because they've sent Max and Kensey a coded message. But where are they?
That's their next adventure.

[Olivia Gaona]

I LOVE this series! it's an AMAZING mystery!!! 😍❤📚

[Rhyllis Bignell · Rating 5 out of 5]

My advanced review copy of Kensy and Max: Breaking News arrived inside a large envelope tantalizing labelled Top Secret and For Your Eyes Only. This is a meticulously built mystery story, a wonderful introduction to a cast of new and intriguing characters, relatable protagonists, mysterious settings and fast-paced adventures. Popular children’s author Jacqueline Harvey draws the reader in sharing her creative insights into the developing of Kensy and Max’s characters. She shares her inspiration for her London background setting of the Morpeth Arms pub and its secret underground spaces situated opposite the London headquarters of MI6.

Eleven year old twins Kensy and Max enjoy a nomadic lifestyle with their parents travelling the world, working in the ski fields and medical clinics. Changes occur when their parents disappear on an African holiday and the twins are driven across Europe to the relative safety of a huge ancestral home in North Yorkshire. Feisty Kensy and more measured Max explore Dame Spencer’s vast home and gardens uncovering secret rooms, quirky characters, hidden cameras and treasures from their past. Fitz their constant companion, tutor and manny travels to London to investigate their parent’s whereabouts leaving Kensy and Max in the safe hands of Song the quirky butler.

With Fitz planning to leave for Africa, the twins move to Dame Spencer’s townhouse with Song and are placed in the Central London Free School. On their first day, eccentric headmaster Mr MacGregor challenges Max to a computer generated race around London where the young boy’s brilliant memory and map reading skills prove advantageous. Kensy and Max settle in to school life, curiously observing mysterious disappearances by their friends, secret meetings and their miraculous escape from a gallery. Kensy and Max keep a special secret, a communication from their parents via a message on Max’s watch.

Kensy and Max: Breaking News is a suspenseful, intriguing and finely crafted story perfect for readers who enjoy action-packed spy stories. Jacqueline Harvey’s initial novel introduces exciting characters, mysterious settings and family secrets waiting to be uncovered. Here the author teases us with little clues, snippets of information, curious conversations with people instrumental in their future plans, this builds an air of excitement and promise for future stories. Her writing style is bright and lively, alliterative and lyrically descriptive, the protagonists are perfect foils, each with a unique set of skills and traits that complement the other. The author peoples her narrative with colourful characters, even the settings are imbued with special secretive qualities. For Middle Primary English, this narrative provides excellent examples of character development, plot tension, genre writing and presenting realistic settings.

Rhyllis Bignell

[Pauline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fans of Jacqueline Wilson’s series Clementine Rose and Alice-Miranda will not be disappointed in book 1 of her new series Kensy and Max. This is a fast paced exciting series about a brother and sister duo who happen to be spies. Living with parents who work in ski patrols and medical clinics in resorts all over the world is an unusual home situation anyway, but their lives become even more complicated when the twins are suddenly taken to London across international borders in the middle of the night. Their parents are missing and their circumstances become more and more complicated and mysterious. Readers will love the brave and adventurous Kensy and charming and thoughtful Max and this action packed spy adventure series will appeal to both boys and girls. This is a fabulous start to a new series.

Suitable for 8+

[Lisa Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys are avid reads but we didn’t come across Jacqueline’s books until I met the most beautiful woman in a local restaurant who turned out to be the author herself! My 9 year old and I read together every evening and so far he has loved the first in the series so much that I’m pretty sure he’s secretly snuck ahead to the second :)
This is a fun story which is perfect for young people who love clues, codes and intrigue. The characters are engaging and it is a well written enjoyable read.
I am very glad I shared a lovely (socially distanced!) chat to discover this little gem - I strongly suspect the whole series will grace our shelves soon

[Rina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

This was so much fun. My inner 11-year old was enjoying the book so much. It was fast paced, full of unique characters, and it had Caesar Cypher!

Sure, the plot was predictable (to me now, not to the 11-year old me), and the book didn’t feel ‘finished’ - but I guess that was the point, this was the set up for the rest of the series.

See my bookstagram review.

[Claudia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very good. At first it was boring but by the end it was so exciting, I didn't want it to end. The book finished on an amazing cliffhanger and now I must read Book 2. I recommend this book to anyone who likes action, adventure and mystery.

[Aarna RAJA · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is quite interesting but also a bit confusing at the start because it is written from several perspectives. I really enjoyed because of the action and mystery included in the book. This probably isn't the best book of the series.

[Shazzy]

Breaking news was really good. I liked that it had like a mystery to it. I recommend this book for adventurous kids.

[Laura Feldon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book both Mr 10 and I. I would say this reminds me of a simpler read to Ruby Redfort books. Mysterious, spy book.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really slow and confusing with a huge cast of characters. Found Spy School by Stuart Gibbs to be far more entertaining for this age group.

[Susan Whitney · Rating 4 out of 5]

From my 10 year old daughter: The book is suspenseful and I like the characters. I also liked doing the Caesar ciphers at the end.

[Smitchy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fast paced adventure story for 8-12 year olds.
Kensy and Max are 11-year old twins who have traveled the world with their mum, dad and "Manny"(male nanny) Fitz. But their nomadic life is interrupted when their parents disappear in mysterious circumstances. Fitz takes Kensy and Max to England where they stay at the house of a mysterious Dame Spencer and start attending the London Free School. As strange things keep happening to them and no-one is telling Max and Kensy anything, the twins need to do a little investigating on their own. It turns out absolutely no-one is who they are pretending to be.
This is a great start to a series and it should get more interesting as things go along. Max and Kensy are smart kids but have enough failings to be likeable. There are some high-tech gadgets and plenty of strange happenings to keep readers interested. I can see this series appealing equally to boys and girls who like mystery stories.
Great for fans of Alice-Miranda or Friday Barnes.

[Brett · Rating 2 out of 5]

I purchased this book for my class library as I have other Jacqueline Harvey novels and my Year 2 to Year 6 kids love them.

Sadly, this was not the same for this title. As the first in the series, I was ready for introductions, place settings and background. We got that. But ... the story is slow, even less happens until you get to chapter 31 when the action starts to heat up. The story comes together VERY fast in the final four chapters. The first 30 chapters focus on getting your bearings around the town (love the maps at the front of the book), meeting the people and some indifferent interactions.

September 2018 - I now need to wait ... as that is when the second book is coming out. And yes, I am going to read it ... as Jacqueline is lovely (she came to our Primary school 2 years ago) and her other books are great. I need a class book that has a male and female lead ... something most of my class can relate to ... so here's to another chance.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve been looking at this popular series in the library for ages....and I thought it was about time I read it.
I did enjoy it...especially the setting....I love London, love England.
But there was one thing I didn’t love...the character, Kensy. She’s the reckless, impulsive one ...the character that annoys me in every story.
But, these actions drive a plot....so that’s why she’s there. I know.
Anyway...I sort of wish I had brought the rest of the series home with me during these holidays...but never mind.
Glad to have read it.

[Amanda Kaufer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of good vocabulary and detail for kids. It wrapped up things quickly at the end and left some cliff hangers for future books. Engaged my kids, no language or racy content with minimal violence.

[QuillQueen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing and i highly recommend reading it.

[Samantha Larson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Breaking News is the thrilling first installment in the Kensy and Max series by Jacqueline Harvey, and it definitely delivers on excitement, mystery, and fast-paced adventure. The story introduces us to twins Kensy and Max, who suddenly find their comfortable lives turned upside down when their parents go missing and they’re thrust into a secret world of espionage. From the get-go, the book hooks you with its action and clever setup. I loved the dynamic between the twins—both smart and resourceful in their own way, but with distinct personalities that bounce well off each other. Their bond feels genuine, and watching them adapt to this completely new reality while staying loyal to each other was one of the highlights for me.

One of the extra fun touches in this book was the Caesar cipher used in each chapter title. I absolutely loved cracking those codes! It made me feel like I was part of the spy world right alongside Kensy and Max, and it added a playful, interactive element that really enhanced the reading experience.

Harvey does a great job balancing fast-paced action with character development. The spy school element is fun without being too over-the-top, and there are plenty of twists that kept me guessing. The supporting characters are also well-crafted, adding layers of mystery and warmth (and sometimes suspicion) to the story.

However, I have to admit the ending left me a bit disappointed. After such a strong build-up with so many intriguing questions, it felt like the resolution didn’t quite deliver the payoff I was hoping for. Some plot threads were left unresolved or wrapped up too quickly, which made the final chapters feel a bit rushed. I found myself flipping the last few pages wondering, “Wait… is that it?”

That said, the fact that this is just the beginning of a series gives me hope. There’s clearly a bigger story at play, and I’m excited to see where it leads. The world and characters Harvey has created have so much potential, and I’m looking forward to diving into the next book to see how everything unfolds.

Overall, Breaking News is a fantastic introduction to what promises to be a gripping series. It’s full of heart, humor, and adventure, and despite the slightly underwhelming ending, it left me eager for more. Definitely worth reading if you enjoy spy stories with smart young protagonists, clever puzzles, and a whole lot of secrets waiting to be uncovered.

[Andrew Gaffney · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book Kensy and Max, by Jacqueline Harvey, is a thrilling adventure where twins Kensy and Max have to reunite with their family, survive at a new school, and solve a robbery mystery all at the same time.

Twins Kensy and Max Grey moved to London when they figured out that their parents were missing. Finding new found fame by beating their crazy principal at a game and crushing people in sports, they found a lot of friends. Things get a little bit suspicious as the twins find coded messages and people acting weird. Then came the shocking news that most of their friends and teachers at the school they go to are part of the best most secret spy organization in the world. And soon to come, they realize that family has been right under their noses this whole time. As agents in training, they soon figure out the plot for a robbery and stop the plan in action, becoming heroes to their organization.

This novel was exciting and fast paced with lots of surprises where unsuspected things happened. An example is when the twins discovered that the billionaire and owner of the biggest newspaper company in the world is their grandma. There are also lots of twists that kept me on my toes like when the nice, friendly taxi driver tried to kidnap them. To add onto it, Jacqueline Harvey did a really good job finishing everything up and ending the story. In the end, the robbers got caught in a breathtaking chase, and the twins reunite with their long lost family.

In conclusion, Kensy and Max by Jacqueline Harvey was a mind blowing novel. I would definitely recommend this book to all middle schoolers and people who enjoy reading mystery adventure books because the novel is intriguing and packed to the brim with action and adventure, and is fun to read even if you don’t like reading.