Secret Agent Mole
James Foley
Scholastic

Anarchic nonsense in graphic novel form, this story introduces readers to secret agents in training Max Mole, Helena Hippo and June Bug, an unlikely trio if ever there was one. Under the watchful eyes of the judges, these friends are on a mission – their very first – to go up against the nefarious Dr Nude. However having done so, one of the three doesn’t satisfy the judges, which means that despite the other two passing with flying colours, the whole team fails the test. They still have two chances left though.

Then comes news of another case: the First Bank of New York has just been robbed and Interpol need their assistance. Eric Goldfishfinger and his pufferfish partner in crime have stolen 10 million $ in gold bars. Catching them is the next mission for the three trainees. The chase is on … Can they catch the fishy thieves before they get that priceless solid gold fish finger?

You never know: they might even live up to the new name agent Walrus has put forward for the agency: The Official International League Exterminating Terrorism with its inevitable acronym.
What will the judges back at HQ have decided about granting Max, Helena and Bug’s secret agent licences?

With a fair degree of TOILET humour, flushings of puns and other sizeable servings of silliness, this will get young readers giggling (and groaning) from start to finish.