Liar & Spy, Rebecca Stead. A fun romp of a read with Georges (with a silent S) as he decides to check out the Spy Club posted in the basement of the apartment building he and his parents just moved to. Safer, the head of the Spy Club and nearby resident hooks Georges into spying on Mr. X and his suspicious comings and goings. Georges gets more uncomfortable as Safer gets more daring with his requests. Georges's (named after artist Georges Seurat who painted using tiny little dots) dad is without a job and his mom works double shifts at the hospital, but leaves him messages each day using Scrabble pieces. His friend, or former friend, Jason, abandoned him for Dallas and Carter, the school bullies, who christen him Gorgeous.

Georges uncovers what a liar Safer is, but also learns some hidden secrets, most importantly, why his name is Safer. Georges eats many meals with his dad at Yum Li's in quiet, until he finally unleashes his pent up emotions. After his mom catches an infection from her workplace, she lands there herself for a couple of weeks to recover. He begins to make his own set of rules, not allowing Dallas and his crew to dominate.

This is a charming read written by the Newbery author of When You Reach Me.