Stuart Gibbs is the author of several successful middle-grade book series. He cites the Spy School series as coming from an idea he had in the fourth or fifth grade. In an interview with Publishers Weekly, Gibbs explains that the series’ original iteration was about “Jimmy Bond,” the son of renowned spy James Bond. Though the concept for the series changed dramatically over the years, Gibbs explains that “the thought of holding onto an idea for decades is somewhat terrifying—but I’ve found that that notion is inspirational to kids I meet. I talk to them about the importance, as writers, of not giving up.” Gibbs visits schools to talk about writing and his books and says he often gives advice to young writers. On his website, he talks about not giving up even when you face rejection and doubt yourself. This advice is thematically present in many of his books, including the Spy School series.

Gibbs’s books frequently combine humor with tension, featuring clever, witty young protagonists who must handle dangerous situations beyond what most kids their age would be asked to do. This combination of levity and action gives his work a distinct voice and makes it appealing to young readers.