Spy Book

Calfgrit7 brought home a book titled, Spies. He had checked it out from his elementary school library (“media center” it’s called now). It’s a self reader — for kids who can read “more complex sentence structure.” He wanted me to read it to him and Calfgrit3 one night before bed, but when I saw it, I was hesitant. I told him I wanted to look through it first.

It’s definitely something beyond what Calfgrit3 should hear, and I think it’s a bit too much for a 1st-grader, too. It’s got some really interesting information in it, but it’s also got some stuff that’s just not appropriate for a young child — talk about stealing, killing, lying, and such. Reading it myself, I found the historical information fun and informative, but there’s one section that bugs me.

On pages 26 and 27 (of 48), there’s “The world’s most famous spy, 007, works for the British Secret Service.”

“He drives fast, stylish cars. He is licensed to kill. And when this spy kills his enemies, he does it with style.”

It’s not until the last paragraph of the second page that the book admits, “Although James Bond is not a real spy . . . .” I think it’s fine to mention fictional spies in a historical, non-fiction book on spying, but come on — state this spy is fictional at the beginning of the section. A kid, say 10 years old, reading this non-fiction book won’t immediately recognize 007 as a book and movie character. The author is misleading the young reader.

But even without that section, this book is just not appropriate for a 7 year old. I’m not going to read this to Calfgrit7 until he gets older (and then he can read it for himself). He and I have already talked some about what spies are in previous, unrelated conversations, so he knows the basic idea. But I don’t think he’s ready to comprehend the differences between “good” spies and “bad” spies, corporate spies and thieves, and such.

Bullgrit
bullgrit@totalbullgrit.com