Author: Rebecca Stead
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Copyright: 2012
Reading Level: 9 - 12 years
Lexile: 670L
Suggested Delivery: Read aloud or independent read
Words to describe this book: engaging, goofy, enjoyable, mysterious, bittersweet
Summary: The story of a boy named Georges (the S is silent) who moves to a new apartment in Brooklyn, New York. When Georges and his father walk to the basement in their new complex, they note a sign on the door that says "Spy Club Meeting". Georges decides to attend, where he meets the "president" of the club, Safer, who's a spy. Together, the boys act as undercover spies to figure out a suspicious person they call Mr. X in their building. However, through their investigation, they end up revealing more secrets about themselves rather than Mr. X.
Key Vocabulary:
- Furtive - done in a quiet or secret way to not be noticed
- Umami - a taste sensation that is meaty or savory
- Alliteration - the use of words that begin with the same sound near one another
- Stamina - great physical or mental strength that allows you to do something for a long time
- Speculate - to think about something and make guesses about it
- Novice - a beginner, someone who has just started to do something
*definitions found at: http://www.merriam-webster.com/ *
Before Reading Activity:
- Have students examine the cover of the book. In particular, have them look at the title. Do they know these vocabulary words? What is a liar? What is a spy? Have students write two short paragraphs. One of them defining and providing examples of what a spy does. The other paragraph will be about the characteristics of a liar. What makes a person a liar?
- Have students stop reading when Georges dad replies to the Spy Club meeting sign. Have students make a a prediction of what they will think will happen next in their journals. Encourage them to act as spies while reading to predict throughout the novel (have them jot down notes while reading).
- Another option is having students write about a bittersweet, sweet, salty, bitter, or umami moment. What makes that moment feel that way? Assess students based on the correct usage of the adjective.
- This book is great for Reader's Theatre. Have students reenact the Taste Test Scene. Use different props (taste test strips, blue marker, water, etc) to replay the scene. Ask students why the Blue Team pretended to not taste anything. How did this impact or change the classroom relationships?
Ideas can be found at https://d2wzqffx6hjwip.cloudfront.net/text-publishing/assets/48/461d60490b11e48d5d2590c1fb4755/LiarandSpy_TeachersResource.pdf
Electronic Resources:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aqUBVDl-6wc
A book trailer of Liar & Spy that keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. It provides a great preview of how enjoyable and exciting the book is through the music, visuals, and words.
http://www.rebeccasteadbooks.com/liarandspy.html
This website includes all of Rebecca Stead's books she's written. There are reviews, a link to her blog, ways to order her books, and ways to contact her for school visits.
https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/games/index.html
Students have the chance to be undercover spies through a variety of different games. They can break the code, do puzzles, word searches, and explore their world. An interactive way for students to relate to Georges and Safer!
Writing Activity:
- At the end of the book, Stead gives the readers a few suggestions of what may happen to the characters as they grow older. Have students write a short response of their idea of how the characters will mature. What do they think will happen to them? Will Safer go to school? How will Candy adapt to fourth grade? Will Georges stop being bullied?