If your students love Spy School, Alex Rider, or any book where smart kids outsmart villains—then City Spies by James Ponti is about to become their new favorite read! In this week’s First Chapter Friday, I’m reading aloud the action-packed beginning of this bestselling spy series full of undercover missions, international travel, and clever teamwork.
About the Book:
Sara Martinez is a brilliant hacker—and a rule-breaker with a cause. After exposing her corrupt foster parents, she’s facing serious consequences… until a mysterious MI6 agent known as “Mother” recruits her into a secret team of kid spies. From a base in Scotland to a mission in Paris, Sara joins forces with four other talented teens from around the world, each trained in the art of espionage. Together, they’re the City Spies, taking on missions only kids can pull off.
This story is full of adrenaline-pumping action, found family feels, and tech-savvy spy tricks that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
Perfect for:
First Chapter Friday lineups looking for high-interest hooks
Middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs
Readers who love action, mystery, and team dynamics
Fans of Stuart Gibbs, Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls, and Mission Impossible vibes
Students interested in coding, hacking, and tech-based problem solving
Use this video to:
✅ Kick off a classroom spy-themed unit
✅ Hook reluctant readers with fast-paced action
✅ Explore themes of trust, belonging, and courage
✅ Introduce a new series your students will beg to keep reading
First Chapter Friday Student Engagement Worksheets:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512
Grab your copy of City Spies: https://amzn.to/4o0APvE
Subscribe for more weekly First Chapter Friday videos, author interviews, and classroom-ready reading resources!
☕ Like this video? Fuel more free teacher content by buying me a virtual coffee: https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#FirstChapterFriday #CitySpies #JamesPonti #SpyBooksForKids #BooksForMiddleSchool #ReadAloud #MiddleGradeAdventure #KidSpies #FoundFamilyBooks #TechSavvyReads #MiddleSchoolELA #BookHook #BooksForReluctantReaders #ActionBooksForKids #WordNerdReads #ClassroomReadAloud #cityspies
About the Book:
Sara Martinez is a brilliant hacker—and a rule-breaker with a cause. After exposing her corrupt foster parents, she’s facing serious consequences… until a mysterious MI6 agent known as “Mother” recruits her into a secret team of kid spies. From a base in Scotland to a mission in Paris, Sara joins forces with four other talented teens from around the world, each trained in the art of espionage. Together, they’re the City Spies, taking on missions only kids can pull off.
This story is full of adrenaline-pumping action, found family feels, and tech-savvy spy tricks that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
Perfect for:
First Chapter Friday lineups looking for high-interest hooks
Middle school ELA classrooms and book clubs
Readers who love action, mystery, and team dynamics
Fans of Stuart Gibbs, Mrs. Smith’s Spy School for Girls, and Mission Impossible vibes
Students interested in coding, hacking, and tech-based problem solving
Use this video to:
✅ Kick off a classroom spy-themed unit
✅ Hook reluctant readers with fast-paced action
✅ Explore themes of trust, belonging, and courage
✅ Introduce a new series your students will beg to keep reading
First Chapter Friday Student Engagement Worksheets:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/2025-First-Chapter-Friday-Read-Aloud-Videos-Middle-School-Reading-Resource-14351512
Grab your copy of City Spies: https://amzn.to/4o0APvE
Subscribe for more weekly First Chapter Friday videos, author interviews, and classroom-ready reading resources!
☕ Like this video? Fuel more free teacher content by buying me a virtual coffee: https://ko-fi.com/amandazieba_thewordnerd
** The videos in this First Chapter Friday Playlist were created in the spirit of: helping teachers and students find high quality and engaging books to read, promoting amazing authors and great books celebrating stories.
Each video in this playlist features a book chosen by Amanda Zieba based on its literary merit, thematic/curriculum connection, or simply because she loves it and thinks you will too. All commentary and facts shared about the book and author were also researched/gathered by Amanda. Books were purchased by Amanda from Birdy’s Bookstore, Barnes and Noble or Amazon, unless otherwise stated. These videos are recorded and edited from Amanda’s home office in Wisconsin, USA. **
#FirstChapterFriday #CitySpies #JamesPonti #SpyBooksForKids #BooksForMiddleSchool #ReadAloud #MiddleGradeAdventure #KidSpies #FoundFamilyBooks #TechSavvyReads #MiddleSchoolELA #BookHook #BooksForReluctantReaders #ActionBooksForKids #WordNerdReads #ClassroomReadAloud #cityspies