MW Craven pens new James Bond school thriller for kids

Ian Fleming Publications will publish a new adventure in the James Bond literary franchise with James Bond and the Secret Agent Academy by bestselling crime writer MW Craven. 

The new series for readers aged eight to 12 will be launched in June 2026 with a dynamic marketing, publicity and events campaign. 

Publishing director Simon Ward bought UK and Commonwealth rights in a two-book deal from Viola Hayden and Ciara Finan at Curtis Brown, who represent Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, and David Headley at the DHH Literary Agency, who represents MW Craven.

The book is the first in a new series that supplants the world’s beloved secret agent to his deadliest mission yet: school. His licence to kill may have ended, but his licence to teach has only just begun. 

A new generation of young heroes, mentored by 007, have entered the Secret Agent Academy to see if they have what it takes to join the ranks of the Double O’s. Together with Bond, can they defeat a deadly foe lurking in the shadows? And, more importantly, can they pass their exams? 

Craven said: "While writing a middle-grade book that features James Bond training the secret agents of tomorrow is undoubtedly an extraordinary honour, it also comes with a daunting responsibility.

"The challenge of introducing Ian Fleming’s Bond – a brand that has transcended books and movies to become part of our national identity – to a brand-new audience is not something to accept lightly, but after speaking with the team at Ian Fleming Publications Ltd, sharing our concerns about recent research from the National Literacy Trust in the UK showing that reading for pleasure among children is at a 20-year low, it wasn’t an opportunity I felt I could turn down."

Managing director at Ian Fleming Publications Amanda Douglas said: "This series represents a new and imaginative chapter for 007, introducing the world’s most famous secret agent to the next generation of readers – seen for the first time through children’s eyes. It’s a fun, fast-paced adventure that remains true to the spirit of Bond, featuring a cast of original characters who get to experience Bond not just as a legend, but as their teacher."

Ward said: "We are always looking for stories we want to read: stories that have everything we love from Ian Fleming’s legendary James Bond adventures but with new characters and new settings that Ian would approve of. This is a James Bond story unlike any other we’ve done: a world of twisted villains, extremely silly names and bizarre gadgets, but with a contemporary setting and a cast of young heroes children can relate to."

Headley said: "Bringing together the gripping storytelling of MW Craven with the legendary world of James Bond is a brilliant step toward inspiring younger readers to pick up books. MW Craven’s unique voice promises to breathe new life into Bond for a younger generation, drawing children into thrilling plots filled with courage, cleverness and laugh-out-loud moments. We hope this new Bond series will spark imaginations and foster a lifelong love of books."