Jamaal Target: Phantom Agent by Isaac Hamilton McKenzie – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: secrets, kidnap, technology, self belief.
Children’s book title: Jamaal Target: Phantom Agent.
Children’s authors: Isaac Hamilton McKenzie.
Cover art: Brittany Jackson.
Genre: Children’s fiction.
Published by: Piccadilly Press.
ISBN: 9780241726754.
Recommended for children aged: 9-11.
First published: Paperback August 2026.
This children’s book is ideal for: introducing younger readers to the genre of spy/thrillers as well as an excellent way to begin discussions about family, expectations, and how writers can produce exciting, fast moving fiction in real life locations where the unbelievable could almost be believable.
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Our review:
Jamaal Target has few requirements for a happy life. Living with his foster mum, Gala, spending time with his best friend Myla, and bowling or gaming with her, especially Warfare World. After an evening of bowling ends with Myla being kidnapped right in front of him and having recently seen some very strange things, Jamaal is convinced it was him they were after. When he is then hurriedly removed to a secret location, his conviction increases and he is determined to rescue her, whatever it takes.
Shocked to discover he seems to have stepped into his own computer game, where superpowers are real and an arch-villain is scheming to take over the world, his only concern is Myla. By ignoring most of the advice offered by everyone who is trying to keep him safe, Jamaal finds himself on the team set up to locate his best friend and try to work out what happened and why. Arch-villains have very few scruples, however, so were his new friends right? Should he have stayed in the background so he doesn’t make things worse for those who actually know what they’re doing?
Our verdict:
Jamaal Target: Phantom Agent is fast-moving from the start and the author makes Jamaal instantly likeable and relatable, even if he does have new superpowers to harness! As the story continues at a very fast pace, Jamaal has to deal with his whole life changing. People he thought he knew turn out to be far more complicated and secretive than he would ever have guessed, and even those working for PHANTOM aren’t at all what they initially seemed. The author makes all of this realistic, from Jamaal’s uncertainty and stubbornness through to his super speed and hearing!
There is quite a lot of violence and although not graphic, it doesn’t sanitise things. Main characters are placed in great jeopardy and some important but not main protagonists are dispatched in a more callous manner than is usual for this age range. The novel also asks important questions about identity and the differences between how we view ourselves compared to those around us. There is a definite story arc for Jamaal and it is clear he is a far more rounded, sympathetic and complete character by the end of the book which, once again, is realistically and sensitively written.
Teaching points and book club discussion ideas:
- Finding out he has superpowers is mind-blowing for Jamaal. If you could choose between super speed or hearing, which would you choose?
- Jamaal Target is a confident, wisecracking 12-year-old when he’s with his friends but when confronted by his school bully, his whole demeanour changes. When they meet later in the story, how are Jamaal’s reactions different?
- There is some world-building in this book, but all the locations are in London. Look up some of these and see if you think PHANTOM could have operated where the author suggests.
- Pick a location near you. Could any of the derelict or unused buildings from the story have been realistically placed there?
- Jamaal grows a lot during this story. The author doesn’t make this obvious, it just becomes part of his reaction to what happens. What changes did you see?
- Warfare World is Jamaal and Myla’s computer game of choice. If you could disappear into your favourite game, like Jamaal felt he had, which game and character would you choose?
- This is the beginning of a new series. How do you think Jamaal and his friends in PHANTOM will deal with the threats they are sure are coming?
Many thanks to Puffin Books for the review copy.
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