Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies: The Missing Hamster

Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies #1

by Sue Fliess, Beth Mills (Illustrator)

A young spy in training has to put her sneaky skills to the test when the class pet goes missing in this picture book series starter perfect for readers who love the excitement and intrigue of Tara Lazar's 7 Ate 9 and Josh Funk's Mission Defrostable.

Beatrice Bly isn't just a spy.

She's a super spy.

She knows all the rules.

She sneaks. She observes.

She follows the clues to find the culprit.

But when the class hamster, Edgar, goes missing, will Beatrice's spy training be enough to find out what happened?

Clever and determined, Beatrice Bly will win over young sleuths, teaching them problem solving and deduction skills as they scramble to figure out the case alongside her.

Named to the Delaware Diamonds Book List

Genres: Picture Books, Mystery, School, Childrens, Espionage, Juvenile, Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 6, 2021

About the author

Sue Fliess ("fleece") is the bestselling author of Robots, Robots Everywhere!, I'm a Ballerina! and How to Trap a Leprechaun, and more than 35 other children's books including Sadie Sprocket Builds a Rocket, Mrs. Claus Takes the Reins, Mary Had a Little Lab, Beatrice Bly's Rules for Spies, and many Little Golden Books. Her books have sold over 850,000 copies worldwide. Her background is in copywriting and PR/marketing, and her essays have appeared in O Magazine, HuffPo, Writer's Digest, and more. Fliess has also written for Walt Disney.

Her books have received honors from the SCBWI, have been used in school curricula, museum educational programs, and have even been translated into multiple languages. The Bug Book was chosen for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library three years in a row and The Hug Book was selected to the Imagination Library Australia.

She's a member of SCBWI, Children's Book Guild of DC, and the Author's Guild. She does book signings, school visits, and speaking engagements.

When she's not writing, she is walking her two silly English Labradors or busy with her two teen boys. She really misses traveling. Sue lives in Northern VA with her family. Visit her at www.suefliess.com.

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice Bly has put a good amount of thought and effort into the practice of being a spy. She has been working on her skills and has made her own lists on the subject. Then the class hamster goes missing. The whole class participates at first, but Beatrice sticks with it and ultimately finds the missing pet. The ink illustrations are colorful, detailed, and imaginative. I especially loved the picture of the elusive Edgar when he was finally found! Beatrice reminds me of another super sleuth that I read about earlier this week--Aven Green--in her new chapter book by Dusti Bowling. I will be watching for the next super spy adventure for Beatrice.

Thank you to Pixel+Ink and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

There are many youngsters who are fascinated by mysteries and spies, and this picture book will be right up their alley. Fresh off of several successful missions in her home, Beatrice Bly is more than willing to tackle new challenges. She finds one at school when her class's pet hamster, Edgar, disappears. Like any good sleuth, Beatrice keeps a notebook with clues and watches her classmates carefully. When she hears about a special luncheon in the teachers' lounge, Beatrice slips into the forbidden room and solves the whereabouts of Edgar. The telltale green leaves in the hall offer a strong clue as to what's been going on. Beatrice has saved the day, and Edgar is restored to his rightful place in the classroom cage. Donuts are served to celebrate his return, and Beatrice basks in her accomplishments and the attention. The illustrations are fun to follow as Beatrice pulls her hair back in a high ponytail, dons black shades and a backpack, and moves surreptitiously in order to solve the case and gain the designation as a super spy. Youngsters will love the bright illustrations, especially the one of Edgar in his happy place and the last image in the book with Beatrice kicked back at her desk, pleased to have solved the mystery.

[Vicky · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beatrice has started with small mysteries at home to solve, but one day at school the class hampster goes missing! Beatrice uses the skills she's been practicing at home to follow the clues and follow her hunch to find the missing hampster. The vivid illustrations help to show her caution as she sneaks around stealthily, (my sneaky kids loved this). This seems like a great introduction to mysteries that won't be scary for little ones

I'm not sure how old Beatrice is supposed to be, but showing her (a child) wearing black lipstick was a bit alarming on one page.

Recommended for children ages 3-8

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an electronic ARC from Pixel+Ink through Edelweiss+.
Beatrice practices to be a super spy. She has solved many mysteries at home but wants a more challenging mission. Then the class hamster goes missing. Beatrice jumps on this opportunity to solve this problem and locate Edgar. Readers will enjoy the action and fun as she and her friend seek clues. She does find Edgar in an unusual location and all is fine as the book ends. The illustrations emphasize her cleverness and the ways she does her best to be a super spy.

[Marilyn Wolpin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beatrice Bly’s Rules for Spies: The Missing Hamster is the first in Sue Fliess’s series starring a super sleuth named Beatrice who follows the rules and her hunches to solve a mystery. Bea is smart and spunky and always ready for a new and more challenging mystery. Beth Mill’s bright and bold art draws you into the setting and makes you want to follow the clues along with Beatrice. Children will be eager to read the next case Beatrice has to solve.

[Erin Buhr · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute book about an elementary schooler who considers herself a super spy. The main plot is her solving the case of her missing class pet. It is a straightforward story without much in the way of layers or surprise, but with humor, spy fun and a sweet little hamster it’s still a fun book. A solid back to school story.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

super cute spy book for the little kiddos to enjoy!!! I love the illustrations and what a great spy Beatrice is! She has a plan to solve the mystery of "Where did Edgar go?" Another great book by Sue Fliess!!!

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Edgar the hamster goes missing from the classroom, self-proclaimed superspy, Beatrice Bly takes the opportunity to use all of her skills of spying and mystery solving to locating the missing hamster.

[Andréa]

Note: I accessed a digital review copy of this book through Edelweiss.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

4/28/2021 Utterly delightful. Full review tk at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[Spencer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice spy book.

[Pinky · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beatrice follows her intuition and finds Edgar in the Teachers lounge.

[kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

pretty good but she seems more like a detective vs a spy to me

[A. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cute, but definitely more a detective than a spy story. Good for classrooms with class pets.

[skcocnaH · Rating 3 out of 5]

Technically, she’s a detective, not a spy.

[Kaitlyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun and adorable. I know my students will love it!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Edgar, our classroom hamster, is missing.”

Finally! A mission worthy of Beatrice Bly’s super spy skills. “Don’t worry. I’ve been training for this my whole life.” Beatrice uses her skills of observation and deduction to locate Edgar, but the trail leads to the teacher’s lounge. Can Beatrice go inside this off-limits room where “secret teacher-y things happened?”

Cute.