Brainwashed: Crime Travelers Spy School Mystery & International Adventure Series Book 1 (Volume 1)

★★★★★ Gertrude Warner Middle-Grade Grand Prize | Chanticleer Best Book Award - "An adventurous line-up that takes middle-grade readers around the globe, Paul Aertker's Brainwashed delivers a story with exciting espionage and action-packed thrills."

"Like the Bourne Identity, but for kids, Crime Travelers tracks the secret urban adventures of the New Resistance, a group of international orphaned teens living in hotels, traveling the globe, and fighting crime worldwide. " - M. Robichaux, Editor | This middle-grade series combines "action and adventure with global awareness and smart humor." ClarionRating® 5 Stars

Lexile® Measure: 720L | AR Points from Renaissance Accelerated Reader® | Parents, teachers, and librarians will appreciate the worldwide geography and appropriate language for Ages 8 - 14 Grades: 3 - 8| #1 Amazon best-selling series in Children's Travel | BRAINWASHED marks the explosive beginning of The Crime Travelers Adventure Series | 300 Geographic References plus illustrative maps! | FUNNY. SMART. ACTION. | Also available: BOOK 2: DIAMONDS ARE FOR NEVER & BOOK 3: PRICELESS

While sleeping on the roof of his father's hotel-spy school, thirteen-year-old Lucas Benes finds a baby alone and learns that the Good Company has restarted its profitable brainwashing business. Brainwashed (Crime Travelers Spy Series Book #1) tracks the secret urban adventures of the New Resistance, a school of international teenage spies. Lucas leads a group of friends through the hotspots of Paris-- from the catacombs to the Eiffel tower--in an all-out effort to sabotage a brainwashing ceremony that could potentially turn them all into "Good" kids.

This international action-packed series from Amazon best-selling and award-winning author Paul Aertker is a mind-opening adventure for elementary and middle-grade readers of Gordon Korman, James Patterson, and John Grisham.

Readers of Diary of A Wimpy Kid will appreciate the step up in smart reading.

"Rooftop rappelling is just the tip of the action iceberg in this high-energy adventure that thoughtfully addresses global issues." - Foreword Reviews

"Perfect for preteens and early teens who envision days of action and excitement." - J. Phillips, education consultant

"At first glance, Lucas Benes, the hero of Crime Travelers: Brainwashed, is a typical teenage boy, impulsive, insecure, and brash. Yet, like most adolescents, he proves to be so much more: resourceful, courageous, and most importantly, kind."-Head of School, GCDS

"I love how math helps Lucas and his team escape danger at every corner."- K.G., middle school math teacher

"An adventure that maintains a fast pace throughout with rescues, crashes, street fights, and more. While there are plenty of stunts typical of the kid spy genre--from a creepy, super-evil villain to motorcycle chases and private luxury aircraft--there is also a decidedly serious, real-life element. Full of exotic locales, the international stage is set, and Brainwashed leaves the door wide open for future installments in the Crime Travelers series. "-Foreword Reviews

From Goodreads:

BRAINWASHED is a novel aimed at the preteen market, and it hits the mark. The book follows thirteen-year-old Lucas Benes, a typical kid who sleeps on the roof of a hotel, saves kidnapped babies and rappels through windows. A group of teens fights the GOOD Company, an organization that is anything but. Whirling through all the major attractions in Paris, this is more of a travelogue than a nefarious story. Kids from 10 up should relish its campy flavor of excitement and thrills.